Tora: Veiwekani, Veidolei, Veiqaravi, Veirogoci
Armed with a deep understanding of human behaviour within organisational contexts, Mr Tora embarked on a mission to integrate Pasifika indigenous knowledge with modern psychological principles—a concept known as Pasifika Psychology.
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Alfred Tora, a passionate advocate for Pasifika businesses and practices in the field of organisational psychology, is on a mission to bridge the gap between traditional knowledge and modern business practices. Hailing from the island of Koro in Lomaiviti, with maternal roots to Rotuma, Mr Tora’s journey is deeply intertwined with his cultural heritage and his aspiration to empower his community.
“I grew up in and around Suva where I was exposed to socio-economic disparities - ie. the wide gap between upper-middle class communities and communities that struggled to survive,” he said. “These circumstances and experiences contributed to my desire to understand how to run a business, in the hopes that I could be able to provide for my family and community, as well as help others who have the desire to do the same.” This curiosity led him to pursue a double major in Human Resources Management and Industrial Relations at the University of the South Pacific.
Mr Tora’s academic journey continued with a Masters of Science in Organisational Psychology from the University of London, Birbeck. Armed with a deep understanding of human behaviour within organisational contexts, Mr Tora embarked on a mission to integrate Pasifika indigenous knowledge with modern psychological principles—a concept known as Pasifika Psychology.
Pasifika Psychology
“Pasifika Psychology, according to renowned Pasifika academic Dr. Siautu Alefaio-Tugia, incorporates Pasifika indigenous knowledge and strives to continue to add to that knowledge-base,” Mr Tora said.
“It is integrating the field of psychology with concepts taken from our Pasifika cultures. It is using Pasifika indigenous knowledge and wisdom to provide solutions to real-world issues that plague our society.”
Mr Tora said the importance of iTaukei values such as Veiwekani (relationships), Veidolei (reciprocity), Veiqaravi (mutual service), Veirogoci (listening), and Veidokai (mutual respect) in fostering psychologically safe and innovative work environments.
Veidolei: reciprocity or the belief that when you receive kindness, that you must repay it in full. In a world that promotes selfishness, veidolei encourages that we share resources and work together.
Veiqaravi: Another value system that supports veiwekani and literally translates to “facing each other” - and means mutual service between roles. Veiqaravi encourages service towards others, the physical and spiritual realm, and the maintenance of these relationships for the good of the community - be it in the traditional setting or in the modern workplace. In an environment with so many moving parts - like a modern business or traditional community - communication.
Veirogoci: Listening, really listening, is such an important value that a lot of modern organisations have seemed to have forgotten or do not emphasise.
Veidokai: mutual respect - the principle that should bind our community together. By practising veidokai, we understand that we may not be experts in a field and we respect those that are. By understanding that we should respect all individuals and give them the freedom to do what they know best, our people are free to learn which then encourages innovation in the workplace - and all this comes from veidokai.
“There is a growing movement in academia that understands that the Western world does not have all the answers to the world’s problems and that cultures that have survived for millenia could provide us with insights that could benefit us all,” Mr Tora said.
Survey building
In early 2023 Mr Tora embarked on a new project to build highly efficient concept reminiscent of the iconic “Avengers” team dynamic. “By completing a survey, individuals can understand how they respond to different situations and then understand why they act the way that they do,” he said.
“By understanding the roles they take up when in teams, people can work to develop their leadership skills, their skills and strengths, and what they need to work on.” Mr Tora was able to build his survey without cost using no code tools like Google Sheets and Airtable, to capture personality traits, categorise them into particular personality types, and transform them into a role that is best suited for a team environment.
Advice
In addition to his academic pursuits, Mr Tora offers valuable insights for organisations striving to create inclusive and productive work environments. He emphasises the importance of actively listening to employees’ needs and tailoring policies to support their growth and well-being.
“For Fiji businesses, genuine employee engagement is key,” Mr Tora advises. “Understand what your employees truly want and implement policies that prioritise their development and recognition.”
As for aspiring psychologists, Mr Tora encourages young Fijians to explore the diverse opportunities within the field and emphasises the need for more professionals to join the ranks of the Fiji Psychological Society.