Since completing The Mana Moana Experience in 2018, where have you journeyed?
Mana Moana introduced me to a group of wonderful, talented Pacific leaders and teachers. I was supported on a journey of re-establishing good health and re-evaluating my career path. My journey has largely been introspective. I have been able to celebrate milestones, achieve personal goals and most recently, I have made the move from Microsoft and taken on a new, exciting role with Amazon.
In what ways have you found your ‘voice’ or shifted your perspective via the Experience?
I build more and I am more selective in the commitments that I make. The purpose of my position in a community or organisation is now focused on fostering inclusion, empathy, innovation and growth.
What skills acquired through the Experience have helped you tackle challenges to date?
One of the most valuable skills that Mana Moana introduced for me was how to simplify and reframe complexity. Pasifika proverbs have proven to be an amazing learning tool helping me to strip out ambiguity, simplify challenges and to understand. For example, the two proverbs below have provided me with a great starting point in conflict resolution:
Fofola ee fala kae alea ee kainga (Tongan) Rolling out the mat for the family to talk;
Ho’okahi la’au, he mihi (Hawaiian) – The first medicine is forgiveness.
What skills did Mana Moana offer that you have used to create value for your organisation/industry?
In my most recent roles with hugely successful multi-national organisations, the experience has supported my message that we must understand the communities we serve. Whether this relates to customers, tangata whenua, local community or even family, we cannot grow until we have established a connection and empathy first.
This year’s theme is Daring Leadership. What does this mean to you?
Daring Leadership in all its forms requires courage and perseverance to achieve a shared vision. Whether we focus on the events in Christchurch, the War in Catatumbo or restructures in local organisations, daring leadership is fundamental.
As a business leader, if you had one piece of advice for future leaders, what would it be?
Learn and serve. You will be challenged and you will fail. Take these as learning opportunities. From my 2018 Mana Moana Experience, the words that have stayed with me are from a Samoan proverb, O le ala i le pule o le tautua – The path to leadership is through service. I share this insight not because I have achieved any fame and fortune, but simply because this has helped me to grow.
Duane Stanley is Engagement Manager, Amazon Web Services and Alumnus 2018 of The Mana Moana Experience .