Sensemaking and ‘Hapori’ – Essential for Tackling Risk in New Zealand

“The minimum unit of a human being is two”

These are the (wise) words of Graham Long, the Pastor and CEO of The Wayside Chapel in Sydney’s Kings Cross; an example of a community who practice, rather than simply preach about, their mission which is:

“…creating community with no ‘us and them’. We do this by breaking down the barriers of judgement and providing a safe place where people from all walks of life are welcome.”

The Wayside is a special place for many. It’s not hard to feel the spirit of their mission and the strength of their community as you enter the building. However, the spirit of The Wayside lives beyond the walls of the Chapel itself, it embraces all who are part of its broad, diverse and inclusive congregation. It has meaning outside a building; it’s the philosophy of The Wayside that makes it a special place. Why is this?

Perhaps it’s because we are social beings who crave and long for connection and loving relationships, and The Wayside connects with these needs for those who share in its purpose? After all, The Wayside understands that being in community and sharing with others, is critical for our wellbeing. Their philosophy is built upon relationships, as much as its bricks and mortar.

This philosophy too is at the heart of ‘social sensemaking’, a phrase coined to highlight the social nature of the way we make sense of our world. Social Sensemaking is a way of being and comprehending our world. It is a worldview and an ontological understanding, rather than simply just another method.

So, what is sensemaking?

Christian Madsbjerg in his instructive book Sensemaking (2017, p.xxi), describes it as;

“…an ancient practice of cultural inquiry, a process based on a set of values we are in great danger of forgetting. With sensemaking, we use human intelligence to develop a sensitivity toward meaningful differences – what matters to other people as well as to ourselves.”

He also describes it as about;

“…rigorous cultural engagement”

With these points made, I join Madsbjerg in arguing that ‘sensemaking’ is a social activity. It is a way of being and doing, not some ‘thing’ we achieve. Social Sensemaking is an ongoing activity that moves beyond a simplistic and cognitive understanding of our world; to one that is multifaceted, rich and holistic. What is an example of this?

Indigenous cultures in particular seem to understand, and practice, this way of being. As I’ve written about previously, when we converse, share and live for the purpose of community and togetherness; we move toward a more holistic life of ‘us’, rather than an individualistic world of ‘me’. The Māori culture in New Zealand seem to understand this well. What do I mean by this?

Hapori is the word from their traditional language that can be interpreted as meaning a form of community or section of a kinship group, family and society. Like our local indigenous brothers and sisters in Australia, the Māori’s know well the importance and power of being in community with others. It seems to make sense to them; socially that is, rather than just through the simplistic lens of individual thought.

For example, as an indigenous friend recently told me:

“When one of us is sick, our whole community is sick”

Social Sensemaking makes sense of our world through the filters of living and being, rather than a filter that is fixed only in a STEM way of understanding. It is a way of helping; ethically and holistically. Much more than a cognitive activity focused on an individualistic perspective.

Would you like to join us in ‘Social Sensemaking’ and experience ‘Hapori’ in New Zealand?

All of this, and more will be discussed during our Social Sensemaking one day workshop being held in Auckland, New Zealand on 14th May. We will share some of the challenges of moving toward a more holistic understanding of life (and risk), as well as provide tools that can support a move in this direction.

Specifically, the Workshop will focus on three key areas of (social) sensemaking including:

· Better understanding ourself in order to understand (and communicate with) others

· The role of the non-conscious in communication.

· Making sense of risk – a social perspective

Would you like to learn more about the Workshop and book a place? You can do so HERE.

I’d love to join in community and share in learning together with you.

Author:

Robert Sams

Email: robert@dolphyn.com.au

Web: www.dolphyn.com.au

Book: Social Sensemaking – Click HERE to Order

Bio
Latest Posts
More about Rob

Rob Sams

Owner at Dolphyn

Latest posts by Rob Sams (see all)

‘Pause and Ponder’ – what we can learn from social psychology academics - June 15, 2025
This Toaster is Hot - May 11, 2025
There is no way I would do that! - May 11, 2025
What Happens when Safety is a ‘Battle’? - April 19, 2025
Who Decides What is Ugly? - March 21, 2025

Rob is an experienced safety and people professional, having worked in a broad range of industries and work environments, including manufacturing, professional services (building and facilities maintenance), healthcare, transport, automotive, sales and marketing. He is a passionate leader who enjoys supporting people and organizations through periods of change. Rob specializes in making the challenges of risk and safety more understandable in the workplace. He uses his substantial skills and formal training in leadership, social psychology of risk and coaching to help organizations understand how to better manage people, risk and performance. Rob builds relationships and "scaffolds" people development and change so that organizations can achieve the meaningful goals they set for themselves. While Rob has specialist knowledge in systems, his passion is in making systems useable for people and organizations. In many ways, Rob is a translator; he interprets the complex language of processes, regulations and legislation into meaningful and practical tasks. Rob uses his knowledge of social psychology to help people and organizations filter the many pressures they are made anxious about by regulators and various media. He is able to bring the many complexities of systems demands down to earth to a relevant and practical level.