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Rather than a single homogenous worldview, or one painted by polarized extremes, Kapwa encourages us to embrace, be curious about, and honor the depth and breadth of the human experience.

It represents the same union in philosophy between indigenous and modern, west and east, dominant culture and global majority, that will line the many pathways to our collective future.

Sense of Shared Identity, Mutual REsponsiiblity, and Interconnectedness

New Leadership

Kapwa is an indigenous Filipino concept that translates to:

Together. The shared self.
Shared-identity. Self-in-the-other.

For all of us, Kapwa represents that which is missing from our experience of work life today. These qualities have flourished on the fringes in the most progressive teams and organizations, and the time for them to become part of the mainstream discourse is here.

It’s a vision of leadership that all of us can practice, that centers on a sense of interconnectedness, shared identity, and mutual responsibility.

A New Worldview & Web of Meanings

The beauty of a term like kapwa is it helps us to embed ourselves in an entirely different worldview and web of meanings. Interconnectedness goes beyond belonging and reminds us of the broadest ways we are interdependent, together, and related.

Kapwa and Our Intertwined Futures

In choosing Kapwa as a worldview, we choose a connection to one another and the world and let go of the idea of a single objective truth. Instead, we choose to see and work with our pluriverse - the reality that there are multiple diverse worldviews, belief systems, cultural practices, and ways of being that are each equally valid and valuable.

A Future We Are Working Toward

If you are here, you are on the journey to practicing Kapwa Leadership. The purpose of weaving Kapwa into our understanding of Leadership is to define a leadership style that is inclusive, collaborative, compassionate, courageous, land-conscious, co-creative, ethical, responsible, and adaptive.

Many of these qualities are in the highest demand in many organizations today, and they are the qualities we all have a responsibility to practice. We believe that the training to learn and practice these skills should be accessible to everyone. That’s why we’re here.

Kapwa

The Interconnected Self

At Kapwa Leadership, Kapwa roots our point of view in a relational perspective. Our inner self, the version of the self we share, and the people, communities, lineages, and movements we collectively identify with are all intertwined. Let's arrive at this concept from a Western self-is-separate-from-others worldview. The Kapwa perspective allows us to practice cultivating an ever-expanding field of empathy that connects us with beings increasingly distant from our lived experience.

If we arrive at this from an indigenous point-of-view, Kapwa represents one of many notions of “being in right relationship.” That is a state of balance between paradoxes where we work toward a harmonious relationship. From this perspective, what we want to see in the world can be realized through concrete choices and actions that are in service of or against our Kapwa.

All Our Relations

Kapwa, as a concept, has many relatives from all over the world. Each of the below philosophies embodies a distinct and intricate tradition that evolved in their own cultural contexts, which is to say they are not direct translations of Kapwa. That said, they all represent different faces of a relationship-oriented virtue ethic that connects us to each other and the planet.

  • In Lak'ech

    I am you as you are me (Mayan/Nahuatl)

    This phrase expresses the concept of unity and collectivity in Mayan thought. Most well known through a poem by Poet Luis Valdez. He applies this indigenous knowledge to inspire new models for education and liberation. More here.

  • Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit

    Traditional Knowledge (Inuktitut)

    This represents the Inuit Peoples' unique body of knowledge, values, and worldview. It emphasizes living in harmony with the environment, respecting others, working together for a common cause, and maintaining strong community ties. More here.

  • Awen

    Inspiration / Essence (Gauls / Celts)

    While the Gauls did not have an exact equivalent to the Filipino concept of Kapwa, their cultural and spiritual practices reflect a similar sense of interconnectedness and mutual responsibility, particularly in relation to the natural world. Awen symbolizes the flowing spirit that connects all life, somewhat akin to Kapwa's shared identity and interconnectedness. It emphasized a communal responsibility to maintain harmony and balance in the world. More here.

  • Agape

    Love (Greek / Christianity)

    A form of love that extends beyond family or close relations. It's often described as the highest form of love, a selfless love that mirrors God's unconditional love for humanity. This love is meant to be extended to all, regardless of their status, thus fostering a sense of shared identity and interconnectedness.

  • Dadirri

    Inner Deep Listening and Quiet Still Awareness (Ngan’gikurunggurr and Ngen’giwumirri languages of the Aboriginal peoples of the Daly River region)

    “To know me is to breathe with me. To breathe with me is to listen deeply. To listen deeply is to connect. The sound of deep calling to deep.” says Aboriginal elder Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann. A word, concept, and spiritual practice, Dadirri emphasizes the importance of understanding and respecting the interconnectedness of all living beings and the environment, acknowledging the wisdom of ancestors and nature. It refers to the deep spring that is inside us. We call on it, and it calls to us. More here.

  • Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam

    The World is One Family (Vedic/Hindu/Indian)

    A Sanskrit philosophy found in Hindu texts such as the Maha Upanishad. It is a concept in Hinduism that stresses the importance of unity, empathy, and interdependence among all living beings, regardless of nationality, race, or religion. More here.

  • Gayanashagowa

    Great Law of Peace / The Great Binding Law (Iroquois / Haudenosaunee)

    The Great Law of Peace is the founding constitution of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and is the underlying basis for Haudenosaunee society. Originally it outlined the path to harmony and unity (amongst) the warring nations and set out a proper form of (government) which allowed for the ideas of peace, power, and righteousness. The Seventh Generation Principle, derived from the Iroquois Confederacy's Great Law of Peace, emphasizes the importance of considering the well-being of future generations when making decisions. The concept teaches that leaders should think about the impact of their actions on the next seven generations, fostering a sense of responsibility for the future and a commitment to living in harmony with the environment. More here.

  • K’é

    Navajo Kinship / Family / Clanship (Diné Navajo)

    The most essential social identity among the Navajo people, K’é is how one knows their relations to all other Diné. Traditional teachings say K’é regulates how each person represents their clan family in the larger world, is taught spiritual information and involved in ceremonies. K’é as a philosophy is a form of love, kindness, compassion. Tradition dictates that each member of the clan has a responsibility to the clan family’s survival, and any “wrong act” an individual did against another clan family, it obligates the whole clan to be responsible to make any restitutions necessary. More here.

  • Hózhó

    Walking in Beauty (Diné Navajo)

    Another translation can be “living in a manner that strives to create and maintain balance, harmony, beauty, and order.” Usually used as an adjective or adverb, Hózhó adds a sense of joy, hope, peace, adaptation, determination, excellence, or effort to situations or actions. It communicates a sense that “things will be ok as we get back into harmony and balance with our environment” to the moment that is presented. More here.

  • Frith / FRIÞ

    Peace (Franks / Saxons / Norse)

    Frith is a Germanic term that roughly translates to 'peace' but holds a much more nuanced meaning. It encapsulates an idea of mutual obligation, protection, and peace within a social group - a concept that underpinned the social structure of the Franks and other Germanic tribes. Frith was an essential aspect of maintaining harmony in the community. More here.

  • Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ

    All Are Related (Lakota Sioux)

    This phrase is often used to end prayers or speeches and serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all beings. It signifies the belief in the essential interconnectedness and mutual responsibility of all forms of life, including humans, animals, plants, and even the elements such as wind and water. More here.

  • Whanaungatanga

    Relationship, Kinship (Māori)

    Whanaungatanga is about forming and maintaining relationships and strengthening ties between kin and communities. At its root this philosophy describes the process of acting like a family. This can apply to your biological family, but also to broader communities, we are connected through. This value of cohesion is the essential glue that binds people together, providing the foundation for unity and belonging in vibrant communities. More here.

  • Mino-Bimaadiziwin

    The Way of a Good Life (Ojibwe Anishinaabe)

    This philosophy encourages living in harmony with others and the environment, promoting balance and respect for all living beings. As a way of life it provides principles or “original instructions” for behavior, thought, and relationship. More here.

  • Ubuntu / Botho

    I Am Because We Are (Zulu & Xhosa)

    Loosely translates to "I am because we are, and we are because I am." It emphasizes a worldview and way of life that emphasizes relatedness and interdependence of humans and the cosmos at large. Ubuntu creates a basis to navigate the tension between individual and universal rights, ways to meet the concerns of the global life web, and the role that solidarity plays in uniting individuals in community. Ubuntu isn't just an abstract idea; it's deeply embedded in everyday social interactions, ethical behaviors, and mutual obligations. It evokes a profound recognition that one's existence and well-being are inextricably tied to the community's existence and well-being. More here.

  • Tikkun Olam

    Repairing the World (Judaism)

    A post-Biblical term first used in the Mishnah (collection of oral traditions of Jewish law), this philosophy conveys a sense of shared responsibility for the betterment of society. It's a call to social action, urging individuals to work towards social justice and welfare, thereby recognizing our shared humanity and interdependence. More here.

  • Aloha

    Greetings (Native Hawai’ian)

    Although commonly known as a greeting, Aloha is a complex Hawaiian concept that encompasses love, compassion, and empathy. It represents all living beings' interconnectedness and mutual respect and encourages kindness, unity, and harmony. More here.

  • Ayni/Ayniy/Aini

    Today for you, tomorrow for me (Quechua/Aymara)

    Ayni represents the idea of reciprocity and mutual support. It is about maintaining balance and harmony within the community by giving and receiving in equal measure. It’s core message: if the personal is balanced within the community, then the community is balanced. And if the relationship between man's and nature's needs is balanced, then all is well with the world. More here.

  • Fællesskab

    Community, Togetherness (Danish)
    Fællesskab in essence, is the feeling of belonging we get when we feel part of a meaningful group. There are two kinds of fællesskab. One is the fun kind that flows easily. Some might call this “hygge” (cozy time). This could be that feeling of belonging that comes from playing a fun game, having tea and cake together or collaborating well with people we get along with. The other kind of fællesskab is the belonging we get from making an effort to be part of the group even if we don’t necessarily want to. This is called “forpligtelsesfællesskab” or “obligated togetherness,” and it is the belonging that comes from making an effort to collaborate. It’s a subtle difference but an important one. Forpligtelsesfællesskab is learning the value of “we time” rather than “me time” and giving up a piece of myself for the whole. This description is excerpted from a piece written by Jessica Alexander and Camilla Andersson.

 On Respectful Representation of
Indigenous Philosophies

We share these words with this reminder to approach these concepts with the respect, humility, and openness they deserve. As we learn from these philosophies, we also must practice what they teach, to honor the cultures that birthed them and the people who continue to uphold them today.

  • As we navigate this shared digital space, we recognize the vibrant tapestry of philosophies and concepts woven into our point-of-view, drawn from many sources of knowledge across the world. We center the Filipino concept of Kapwa in our work, not as appropriation but as an homage to the ancestral ties of our Founder, a recognition of the wisdom of his forebears, and a commitment to carry their insights forward.

  • We seek to foster an environment of deep respect and appreciation for these indigenous philosophies and ways of knowing. We acknowledge that these concepts are the intellectual and cultural heritage of their respective communities. These have been shared with us through the generous teachings and writings of various culture-bearers. Where it is possible, we have sought (or are seeking) the guidance and permission of appointed elders in how we depict each philosophy. We honor this gift by ensuring these traditions are represented accurately and respectfully, recognizing our responsibility to engage with them in an informed, considerate, and appreciative manner.

  • We are conscious of avoiding the pitfalls of romanticizing or idealizing indigenous cultures. While we draw on their wisdom, we also acknowledge their complexity and humanity. Like all cultures, Indigenous cultures encompass a broad range of experiences, beliefs, and values and are not static artifacts of the past but living, evolving traditions.

  • We invite you to join us in recognizing the individuality of each culture represented here. These are not monolithic groups but diverse communities with their own unique traditions, histories, and perspectives. We acknowledge that these communities are alive today, many actively fighting for their rights, sovereignty, and self-determination. We honor their resilience and stand in solidarity with their causes.

Are you ready to lead from a new point-of-view?