If there was one piece of advice we would give to managers, it would be to increase how often they provide feedback to their employees. In addition, how feedback is given and received may vary greatly from one culture to another, and from one generation to another. When we are talking about cultural differences, we also need to remember that there are great differences among tribes and within tribes in how acculturated individuals are.
Dr. Erich Longie, President, Spirit Lake Consulting, Inc.
Enrolled member, Spirit Lake Dakota
Traditionally, feed back in Native American villages was done with a great deal of respect. At village meetings, everyone was given the chance to speak and was listened to respectfully. In the family feedback was used as a means to teach. The older, or more senior member would point out the mistakes of the young individual, not in a critical manner, but in a way designed to benefit. Although there are some tribal members who still follow this practice today, the traditional type of feedback is seldom followed on Indian Reservations today.
Instead, there are several different methods of giving feed back on reservation today. The method will depend on what the situation is, and the emotional state of the person who is giving the feed back. For example, when the tribal council holds its once a month General Assembly the feedback from the people is usually critical and spoken in an angry, accusatory manner. In fact, most people plan to utilize the General Assembly to verbally attack and/or criticize, either the tribal council, or someone within the tribal structure.
Then there is the feedback within the family. If the family is dysfunctional, the feedback will usually be condemning and/or judgmental with the receiver not “hearing” what he/she is being told. If the parent is a substance abuser, the child does not have the respect to listen, much less obey. what he is being told. If the child is giving feed back on the parent’s parental skills, or lack of, the parent usually outright dismisses the feedback.
When people begin working, they don't leave all of their family life experiences behind. It is a fact that substance abuse is higher on the reservation, and when people who were raised by alcoholic parents come to work, they bring those experiences with them. They have a whole lifetime of ignoring feedback from authority figures. The end of this article includes a link to an article in our Virtual Library on how family life affects our reactions at work. In short, it is crucially important that the feedback you provide workers be consistent. If you have told Norma that she needs to answer the phone, "Spirit Lake Consulting, may I help you?" instead of "Yo?" and the next customer who calls is answered, "Yo!" then you need to mention it again. It is helpful to emphasize the distinction in your feedback and to remain unemotional, "Norma, this is a company, not your home. Please answer the phone, 'Spirit Lake Consulting, may I help you' or 'Spirit Lake Consulting, Norma speaking' or some other professional manner. Okay? Thanks."
Feedback, reservation style - click here