Leadership Lessons from the Cherokee Nation: Learn from All I Observe

INTRODUCTION

The 2004 state of the nation speech refined our vision and the strategy to achieve it. After several attempts, the formula boiled down to “jobs keep people home in their communities and allow them to retain the culture and language, all of which improves the quality of life.” Chief Martin of the Mississippi Choctaws used a similar expression over his 30-year tenure when he led his tribe from poverty to prosperity. We used the litany of “jobs, language, and community” to convey to the general public our strategy. This state of the nation speech had substantial details, going into each part of our strategy and why it was important. In the previous year, there were events that reinforced our work and strategy and taught us lessons. ...