A stray paragraph in Michael J Field's book Swimming with Sharks got Simon Young thinking about the economics of the future. Could the Pacific have some great ideas to share in the way we think about identity and sharing? He thinks so...

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Michael Field's Swimming with Sharks isn't so much a good old yarn as a series of extremely short (but very entertaining) assorted threads, probably a by-product of Field's years as a reporter filing short, timely stories.

It's a great tour around the Pacific and its cultural and political issues, and there's a hidden gem right in the last chapter on Tokelau. 

He talks about the concept of inati, or sharing. "It is not a romantic concept, but a practical one," he says. 

He describes a perfect-sounding afternoon on the Fakaofo malae (Fakaofo is the capital of Tokelau, not a swear word!) that showed an attractive display of inati. 

"Into the space, as the sun sets, the kids get together and play. It looked informal, and quickly games of touch rugby, volleyball and netball were underway. What made it different was that all the games were taking place at the same time, on the same small space. Games passed through each other as if the other didn't exist; it was a tribute to the concept of sharing."

Field goes on to say this sharing is the rule, not the exception, in Tokelau (even on the airport runway!). He then muses:

"Tokelauans are guardians of a treasure, and I would like to see its people lead in the creation of a new kind of state, one based on culture and environment, rather than flags and sovereignty. They are not lesser people by not having an independent state; they are citizens of a newer South Pacific."

Politics aside, Field has a fascinating point for our organisations. Arts organisations especially should avoid the temptation to see everything in bottom-line terms - the business world is (or needs to be) going in the opposite direction.

Of course revenue and profit is important, and they should be considered essentials. But beyond that we need to trade in meaning and satisfaction. 

What makes up meaning and satisfaction? This isn't an exhaustive list, but here goes:

• Freedom of choice
• Ownership of what you create
• Ability to share
• Ability to contribute to something that resonates with your strongest values
• Social connection with others

Want to find out more? Some great books that have been keeping me occupied lately:

• Meaning Inc by Gurnek Bains
• Drive by Daniel Pink
• The Why of Work by Dave and Wendy Ulrich
• Authentic Happiness by Martin E Seligman

Thanks to YXO for making your photo easy to share through Creative Commons!