Management Choices

 Management Choices

     “I’m just tired of the posturing,” says Gerald who is looking for another job.  “You can feel the tension when someone is so patronizing that I feel like I am being patted on the head and told that someone higher up will take care of it.  I’m a man and I am proud of being Native.  I don’t have to take this.”

     This was a conversation by someone who had been given great responsibility but then hampered by those in the majority class who refused to check with him but continually went over his head.

     Subtle racism begins with the assumption that the majority way is the only way and minorities just do not understand the system.

     The other day,  I met with three young Native people who are taking community college classes in business management and finances. They all intuitively know that the majority race insists on a certain type of organization and finances so they are learning it.  All three want to give back either to their tribe or to their community.  All three have experienced the racism that assumes they have nothing to offer in comparison to those in the majority race.

     We talk about the values they hold that guide their management decisions.  

     “Respect everyone from youngest to oldest,” Daniel says.

     Edger says, “Listen completely to what someone says and consider it carefully, even if you don’t agree with it.”

       A surprising one was from Helen, “My grandmother taught me to establish good relationships and trust before you ask someone to do something.  If there is no trust, you don’t have the authority to boss someone around.”

     We decided that these were the foundation of Native management regardless of the kind of boss you may have.

     Still good advice for all of us.