Diwa ng wika: Insights for management

The essence of language lies not just in its ability to communicate, but in how it encapsulates the unique worldview and values of its speakers. For us Filipinos, Buwan ng Wika this August is an opportune time to reflect on how the spirit (diwa) of our languages can enrich various domains, particularly the practice of management.

Language scholars have long argued that the structure and vocabulary of a language profoundly shape the thoughts and perceptions of its users. The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, for instance, holds that language at least influences how we understand reality. In the Filipino context, our languages are replete with words reflecting our cultural priorities and ideals, many of which can serve as guideposts for more effective and humanistic management.

Take the concept of kapwa from Sikolohiyang Pilipino, the recognition of shared identity, which emphasizes considering others in one's actions and decisions. Applied to management, kapwa encourages leaders to factor in the needs and perspectives of employees, fostering a more inclusive and collaborative work environment. Similarly, pakikiramdam, the ability to discern unspoken cues, highlights the importance of emotional intelligence and non-verbal communication in leading teams.

Several Filipino scholars have championed the study of our languages as wellsprings of philosophical and psychological insight. Divine Word missionary Leonardo Mercado, a pioneer in Filipino philosophy, used metalinguistic analysis to unpack the multi-layered meanings of loob (roughly, 'inner self'). His work underscores the value of approaching Filipino concepts on their own terms, recognizing their nuances that may be lost in translation.

In the same vein, Virgilio Enriquez's Sikolohiyang Pilipino (Filipino psychology) movement emphasized understanding the Filipino psyche through the lens of local languages and experiences. Concepts like bahala na (roughly, 'leave it up to God') and utang na loob ('debt of gratitude'), Enriquez argued, provide a richer picture of Filipino attitudes and behaviors than imported Western constructs. The implications of these indigenous concepts extend to practical fields like management. Utang na loob, for example, can foster a sense of loyalty and commitment among employees that goes beyond transactional relations. Recognizing this, some local companies have consciously cultivated a culture of generosity and gratitude to build stronger bonds with their workers.

To fully harness the potential of Filipino language concepts for management, there needs to be greater dialogue between scholars and practitioners. Cultural anthropologist F. Landa Jocano has emphasized the importance of using native linguistic categories in studying Filipino values and behavior. Such emic or insider perspectives should increasingly inform business school curricula and organizational research. Management educators can integrate Filipino cases that illustrate how local firms have successfully applied cultural values in their operations. Executives, in turn, can partner with academics to test and refine management frameworks drawn from indigenous concepts. This two-way exchange can yield management models that are more attuned to Filipino realities and sensibilities.

The diwa of our Filipino languages is a largely untapped resource, not just for cultural reflection but for practical insights to improve our institutions. In the realm of management, our linguistic heritage reminds us to anchor our leadership in empathy, to value our shared humanity in the pursuit of shared prosperity. Moving forward, let us continue to mine the wisdom of our own words. Let us appreciate our languages not as relics of the past, but as ever-evolving repositories of who we are and what we can be. In harnessing the diwa of our wika, we might just find the key to our own Pamamahalang Pilipino that is truly Filipino in philosophy and spirit.