My friend and I were talking about a book she was reading titled, Rebuilding Native Nations: Strategies for Governance and Development, by Miriam Jorgensen with the Forward by Oren Lyons. Because she knew about my Tribal Leadership Institute project, she highly recommended I read the book. "It talked about every thing you are doing," she told me. Apparently, the book, which I plan to go out and buy this week, ties the majority of the problems on the reservations back to the tribal constitutions. Most tribal constitutions do not have a separation of power clause in them, and according to the author of the book, this is why tribal councils as well as tribal organizations are always operating in crisis mode. My friend went on to tell me what the author recommendations were, long-range planning, separation of powers, etc.
So why don't we Indians implement the author's recommendations? After all, most of us want positive change on our reservations. In my opinion, the reason we don't is because of our character or lack of character. It will take a person or persons with strong character to stand up and change a system that most tribal members think is unchangeable. By strong character, I mean a person who lives by our ancestral values of courage, honesty, perseverance/fortitude, and generosity. Here is an example when these values/virtues come into play.
First, if we are going to change the reservation we have to start somewhere and that somewhere could be you! Let's say you are a supervisor and one of your workers is chronically late, falsifies timesheets, has a big mouth, and always threatens to run to the tribal council at any hint of you disciplining her. When you finally work up enough COURAGE to take action against this individual, I can guarantee you that the worker's bark is far worse then his/her bite. First, the tribal council or board member he/she runs to will have to get the rest of the tribal council to support his/her actions. Second, other workers will see your courageous behavior, and will behave accordingly. Lastly, you will feel so much better about your self.
Let's assume you, the supervisor, are initially unsuccessful because no one has the courage to help back you up. Besides, they all know the worker as a big mouth troublemaker. The worker will then try to make you look bad. He/she may start rumors like you don't do your work, you come in late, you leave early and you take two hour lunch breaks. He/she will probably recruit like-minded individuals to harass you. This is where the virtue PERSEVERANCE/FORTITUDE comes in. Moreover, this tactic will only work if what he/she says is true. This brings me to the next virtue, honesty.
If you go to work on time every day, actually do work while you are there, and don't go over the allowed time for coffee and lunch breaks, and you punch out after quitting time, your HONESTY will be noticed and not only protect you from false accusations, but you will be a role model for your workers to follow. You will be surprised at the correlation between a supervisor's work habits and the workers work habits.
Finally, let's say the troublesome worker could not get anyone to support him/her so realizes if he/she wants to keep his/her job he/she better settle down and become a good worker, and he/she does. You now have a chance to call upon the virtue of GENEROSITY and praise him/her for doing a good job. Even going as far as generously letting him/her leave early on a Friday or take an extra half-an-hour off for lunch some day.
A dysfunctional workplace can become a healthier, happier place to work by simply following the virtues of courage, honesty, perseverance/fortitude, and generosity.
Now think what would happen if several more tribal supervisors started to follow your example?
So why don't we Indians implement the author's recommendations? After all, most of us want positive change on our reservations. In my opinion, the reason we don't is because of our character or lack of character. It will take a person or persons with strong character to stand up and change a system that most tribal members think is unchangeable. By strong character, I mean a person who lives by our ancestral values of courage, honesty, perseverance/fortitude, and generosity. Here is an example when these values/virtues come into play.
First, if we are going to change the reservation we have to start somewhere and that somewhere could be you! Let's say you are a supervisor and one of your workers is chronically late, falsifies timesheets, has a big mouth, and always threatens to run to the tribal council at any hint of you disciplining her. When you finally work up enough COURAGE to take action against this individual, I can guarantee you that the worker's bark is far worse then his/her bite. First, the tribal council or board member he/she runs to will have to get the rest of the tribal council to support his/her actions. Second, other workers will see your courageous behavior, and will behave accordingly. Lastly, you will feel so much better about your self.
Let's assume you, the supervisor, are initially unsuccessful because no one has the courage to help back you up. Besides, they all know the worker as a big mouth troublemaker. The worker will then try to make you look bad. He/she may start rumors like you don't do your work, you come in late, you leave early and you take two hour lunch breaks. He/she will probably recruit like-minded individuals to harass you. This is where the virtue PERSEVERANCE/FORTITUDE comes in. Moreover, this tactic will only work if what he/she says is true. This brings me to the next virtue, honesty.
If you go to work on time every day, actually do work while you are there, and don't go over the allowed time for coffee and lunch breaks, and you punch out after quitting time, your HONESTY will be noticed and not only protect you from false accusations, but you will be a role model for your workers to follow. You will be surprised at the correlation between a supervisor's work habits and the workers work habits.
Finally, let's say the troublesome worker could not get anyone to support him/her so realizes if he/she wants to keep his/her job he/she better settle down and become a good worker, and he/she does. You now have a chance to call upon the virtue of GENEROSITY and praise him/her for doing a good job. Even going as far as generously letting him/her leave early on a Friday or take an extra half-an-hour off for lunch some day.
A dysfunctional workplace can become a healthier, happier place to work by simply following the virtues of courage, honesty, perseverance/fortitude, and generosity.
Now think what would happen if several more tribal supervisors started to follow your example?
I'm not an Indian, but I too can learn to follow the virtues of courage, honesty, perseverance/fortitude, and generosity. Here's a story about how I successfully applied these virtues while planning my parents 50th wedding anniversary.
The event was getting closer, and none of my four other siblings was making a move to organize the "big party," so I jumped into the role of coordinator. That took COURAGE. I was afraid no one would listen to me, but someone had to look out for my father's concerns (he is in poor health), and my mother's concerns (she wanted a party badly). I was afraid it would be a lot of work. It would take time away from my work and I couldn't afford that. But, my parents needed me.
I fell into a routine:
1. Ask a question (where do we hold the party)?
2. Wait for comments.
3. Summarize comments.
4. When an agreement was reached, state conclusion.
5. Follow through by acting on the conclusion (reserve a location for the party).
My objectives were to:
1. Set priorities we could all agree on.
2. Keep dialogue honest, open, and fair.
3. Keep arrangements easy for elderly.
I especially did not want my father's needs ignored as some of my family members were prone to do.
Problems began almost immedicately:
1. My sister (unintentionally, maybe) tried to take over and she began emulating my Emails by summarizing comments. Then she would decide she wanted to do something, and without consulting the rest of us, she would begin working on her ideas. For example, we all agreed on a date for the party, but one month later, my sister decided that date wouldn't work. When I objected, she started looking around for a place to hold the party on the date she wanted.
2. Meanwhile, my mother kept wanting to organize things at a grand level.
3. My father, on the other hand, wanted to keep things simple.
I felt torn in several directions at the same time. Would my brothers start following my sister's lead? Would Mom take over and not recognize me as coordinator of the affair?
You try to do something good and look what happens!
Well, I had been working with Dr. Longie on the four virtues of courage, honesty, perseverance/fortitude, and generosity, as well as leadership training. I decided this all could apply here.
COURAGE
My siblings were vacillating over the date of the party. I felt we had to set priorities, but I did not think any of my siblings wanted to upset each other, and talking priorities was going to upset somebody. So, I sent an Email summarizing priorities.
Sometimes, it takes courage to say what needs to be said.
HONESTY
I tried to state facts fairly and honestly, and as predicted, my sister became upset and sent me a scathing Email. My brothers could see she was over-reacting, and they backed me up. As soon as my sister saw she couldn't bully me with her sharp tongue, she backed off.
PERSEVERANCE/FORTITUDE
Even when my sister tried to take over my summaries of our progress, I continued my routine of: 1) ask a question, 2) wait for comments, 3) summarize results, 4) state the conclusion (make a decision), and 5) act on that decision. Even when my efforts duplicated my sister's, I continued because I was the coordinator.
My perseverance/fortitude paid off. By this time, my family could see I was trying to be honest and fair to everyone. They could see I was organized in my approach to the party, and they could see my sister was copying me, not the other way around. By persevering in my actions, and my words, I showed my family I was trustworthy. They could trust I would keep my word and follow through on my promises, and I would take everyone's concerns into consideration before acting.
GENEROSITY
When my sister began to behave more considerately toward me, I gave her some important work to do. I let her be the liaison between my siblings and the rest of our extended family (aunts, uncles, cousins). You see, my sister has always been deathly afraid of being left out of whatever event is going on. She needed involvement. She needed to feel important. She wanted to be our contact with the relatives and she wanted to make a slide show for the party. I could have said, "no that's my job," and tried to keep all the glory for myself, but that would just of increased the competition between us. This way, my sister became official spokesperson for the group, a very important role. She took a great deal of work off my shoulders in the process, freeing me to do my own work and earn money, a concern I had when I started this.
By being generous and sharing the glory in planning my parents party, I helped my sister settle down, feel good about herself, and work with me instead of against me. I'm still doing my job: 1) Asking questions, 2) waiting for comments, 3) summarizing comments, 4) stating conclusions, and 5) following through with what needs to be done. I'm still the coordinator, but giving my sister an important role has eliminated her fear of being left out and given her the attention she craves in order to feel important.
My sister and I have apologized for offending each other, and my siblings and I are working together smoothly now, in planning my parents party. I'm still a little on edge about being verbally attacked, but I intend to be courageous and persevere with my routine. I'm sure the party will be a big success, and my parents will enjoy having all us kids together for the first time since we left home.
Thanks Dr. Longie! The four virtues really work!
Wow!
I think I'll use your post when I start advertising my courses. It is a very good testimonial on how courage, honesty, perseverance/fortitude, and generosity can work just as well today as they did for our ancestors 150 years ago.
I think the reason why they worked was because like our ancestors, you were aware of them as you went into your situation. This awareness helped you determine which virtues would help (in this situation). Am I right?
Keep me informed ever time you incorporate the four virtues in daily life.