Overcoming Weaknesses - The Courage to Issue
Challenges
All Native American businesses face the same problems on
the reservation, whether Indian-owned, small business
owners or large business. These are:
* Absenteeism
* Lack of qualified
workers
* Tribal politics
In our training, we take an honest look at these weaknesses
and what it will take to solve them. We emphasize
traditional Sioux attributes that are not normally the
focus of other leadership training. These include courage,
honesty and generosity. The lack of such values is at the
root of so many failures. Take our own field for example,
training.
When I was an academic dean or, later, tribal college
president, I would hear of a new workshop, new way of
dealing with common concerns, and get excited about it.
Then, I would go to the workshop and find that it was
nothing like what was advertised. Often, the reason was
that the consultants didn't want to offend anybody. They
would hint around but they would never lay the
responsibility at the board members' feet.
We need to challenge people, in the "Who goes
there?" sense of a challenge.
Can you imagine if the sentries at Sitting Bull's camp were
afraid to offend anyone by challenging them if they had a
right to be there? Just think about those Sioux warriors
standing watch over the sleeping camp worrying, "Should I
challenge him? What if he is one of Red Cloud's relatives?"
Just the thought of it makes you laugh, doesn't it?
This is my reservation. My children live here and my
grandchildren. It is my responsibility to challenge anyone
who might be a threat to them. If your behavior is hurting
the tribal industries that contribute to the community in
which my family lives, I need to have the courage to
challenge you.
In rescuing our people from a path of
destruction, we have our own history to guide us.
Click here to learn more.