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Leadership Lessons from the Cherokee Nation

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Leadership Lessons from the Cherokee Nation

Learn from All I Observe

McGraw-Hill,

15 min read
10 take-aways
Text available

What's inside?

Traditional Cherokee thought and philosophy applies beautifully to contemporary leadership issues.

Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Innovative
  • Applicable

Recommendation

During his 12-year tenure as principal chief of the Oklahoma-based Cherokee Nation, an American Indian tribe, Chad “Corntassel” Smith increased tribal business revenues by millions of dollars, created thousands of jobs, raised literacy rates and restored pride among his people. You won’t find fancy management theories or profound philosophical musings in Smith’s treatise. Instead, he embraces a fundamental approach that encompasses the content and application of six core lessons. He advises setting goals, working hard and making the adjustments necessary to move ahead. Smith’s State of the Nation speeches in the book’s 12 appendices demonstrate how he applied these lessons during his years of governing the tribe. His intelligence and strength of character are evident. He refuses to blame those who historically wronged his people and he demonstrates little compassion for those who regard entitlement as a constitutional privilege. getAbstract strongly recommends this heartfelt manual on the essential simplicities of leadership.

Summary

Temporary Fixes Don’t Work

From 1999 to 2011, Chad “Corntassel” Smith served as principal chief of the Cherokee Nation – the US’s second-largest American Indian tribe. As chief, he transformed a dispirited people into a unified, productive force. He tapped into multiple sources for inspiration and instructive guidance, including the wisdom of his heritage, lessons learned from history and traditional principles of business. He emphasizes the importance of learning lessons the first time to avoid revisiting them. His leadership philosophy centers on “going from Point A (where you are) to Point B (where you want to be).” A steely focus on your goal will give birth to the tools and processes that your journey demands.

Smith faced severe challenges when he was sworn in as principal chief. Throughout American history, the federal government had flexed its muscles, stripping the Cherokee Nation of the bulk of its lands and assets. Mainstream values had compromised the tribe’s traditional beliefs in self-reliance and the power of family. Many Cherokee had adopted a philosophy of entitlement and blamed others for their economic woes.

In 1999, Smith wrote his first column...

About the Author

Chad “Corntassel” Smith served as principal chief of the Cherokee Nation from 1999 to 2011. He is now a leadership and organizational development consultant.

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