Honoring roots while embracing change: A conversation with Kainoa Horcajo

In this episode of Catalyst, Tammy is joined by Kainoa Horcajo, Principal Owner of Mo’olelo Group, a consultancy focused on cultural integration, community outreach and experience design. Kainoa is an Emmy Award-winning co-creator and host of Search Hawaii. His work helps organizations understand that culture isn’t an add-on to operations but is woven into everything they do. Tammy and Kainoa discuss modern leadership, corporate culture and the balance between tradition and innovation.

Highlights from the episode include:

• The how matters as much as the why. While finding your why is important, how we do things matters just as much. When leaders focus solely on outcomes, that can lead to externalizing costs that hurt people or the environment. The means shouldn’t be sacrificed for the ends.
• Values in action, not on the wall. Discussing Tammy’s own work at NTT DATA, they highlight how values only matter when they’re lived daily. Culture comes to life with shared stories and participation across every level of an organization.
• Principles should stay constant while techniques evolve. The core principles and values that define an organization should remain steady while tactics adapt to meet current needs. This allows innovation without losing cultural identity.

Check out the full episode to hear more about the Hawaiian values of “ohana” (family) and “pilina” (connection) and where they fit in the workplace.

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Please note that the views expressed in this episode may not necessarily be those of NTT DATA.