By Falalahemotu Makapatama
Imagining a World of Fakafekauaga - Servantship: Serving each other and our planet
"A world of true servantship and mutual service where my children and planet thrives". As parents and grandparents, this is our dream. – Falahemotu and Makapatama.
"Momohe e tau mata moe miti..." Close your eyes for a moment and imagine a world where the guiding principle of human interaction is not leadership or management, but rather service. Here, "servant" does not imply subservience or a role akin to a butler. Instead, it represents a lifelong commitment to serving the greater good of people, communities and our planet, as understood through the philosophy of Fakafekauaga—a time-honoured indigenous concept from Niuean village culture. Picture a society where every individual, regardless of their title or position, sees themselves as a tagata fakafekau (servant) dedicated to the well-being and flourishing of others and the environment we all call home.
This is the dream and vision of Fakafekauaga - Servantship—a philosophy that invites us to rethink our relationships with each other and the natural world.
In a world of Fakafekauaga, the pursuit of power and authority takes a backseat to the commitment to serving others and our planet. Instead of striving for individualistic powers of leaders or managers, individuals aspire to embody the Five Core Human Characteristics of Fakafekauaga: Matutakiaga (interconnectedness, relational, systems thinking and systems change); Mahuiga (values-based living, ancestral knowledge and lived experience); Fakalofa (love, compassion and empathy); Fakamokoi (reciprocity – give and forget but receive and remember always); Matohiaga (genealogy – contextualised – past, present, and future).
They understand that true fulfillment comes not from exerting control over others, but from contributing to the well-being and flourishing of the collective.
Imagine walking down the street and encountering neighbours who greet you with genuine warmth and kindness, eager to lend a helping hand whenever needed. Imagine workplaces where colleagues collaborate seamlessly, each person offering their unique skills and perspectives in service of a shared purpose. Imagine communities coming together to address challenges and celebrate successes, guided by a deep sense of interconnectedness and mutual support.
But Fakafekauaga goes beyond human relationships—it extends to our relationship with the planet itself. In a world where environmental degradation and climate change threaten the very foundations of life, Fakafekauaga reminds us of our responsibility to serve as stewards and guardians of the Earth, our home. Imagine a society where every action, from the products we consume to the energy we use, is guided by a commitment to preserving and protecting the natural world for our children and their children.
In this world, the extraction and exploitation of resources for human purposes are replaced by practices of conservation and regeneration. Imagine forests thriving, oceans teeming with life, and ecosystems in balance, thanks to our collective efforts to live in harmony with nature rather than against it. Imagine a world where the well-being of all beings, human and non-human alike, is prioritised over short-term gains and individual interests.
What if the typical "Executive Leadership Team" was rebranded as the Servantship Team? Imagine the highest decision-making bodies in our organisations being guided by Fakafekauaga and its five core characteristics, not striving for control or hierarchical power, but instead dedicated to the service of people and the planet.
In this vision, the titles of CEO, CFO, and COO might give way to new terms like Matutakiaga (weavers or systems change facilitator), Fakalofa (compassionate connector), or Fakamokoi (reciprocal steward)—each role emphasising service, stewardship and interconnectedness over authority.
Servantship Teams would embody the values of Fakafekauaga in their decision-making, prioritising relational harmony, environmental sustainability, and collective well-being. Rather than chasing short-term profit, they would consider long-term impacts on communities and ecosystems, guided by the ancestral knowledge embedded in Mahuiga and the wisdom of past, present, and future generations in Matohiaga.
Can we imagine such a future? One where leadership and management teams view themselves as tagata fakafekau (servant), stewards in service of something larger than themselves—a thriving world for future generations?
The transition to a world of Fakafekauaga may seem like a daunting task, but it is also filled with hope and possibility. It requires a shift in our mental models and mindset—a willingness to prioritise service over self-interest, collaboration over competition, and sustainability over extractive exploitation. It requires us to examine how we are currently treating each other and our planet and to challenge the dominant narratives of leadership and management. We must embrace alternative paradigms that honour the interconnectedness of all life and prioritise collective well-being over individual gain.
But the rewards of such a transformation are immeasurable, especially today. In a world of Fakafekauaga, we unlock the full potential of human cooperation and creativity, harnessing our collective ingenuity to address the most pressing challenges facing our planet. We create communities that are resilient, inclusive and compassionate, where every individual is valued and supported in their journey toward growth and fulfillment.
"Ala tau mata moe kitia—"open your eyes and see."
Please join us and let us dare to dream and imagine a world of Fakafekauaga—a world where we serve each other and our planet with fakalofa (love, compassion, empathy), fakatokolalo (humility) and fakalilifu (respect). And let us commit ourselves to making that vision a reality, one small act of service at a time. Learn more about our approach at fakafekauagacatalyst.com.
— Falalahemotu Makapatama, Author, Leveki (steward and guardian) and Co-Founder, FakaFekauaga Catalyst (FFC).
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