Purpose of Communicating my Personal Leadership Philosophy

To clearly communicate ideas and ideals I strive to live up to and inspire others each day.  It represents a spiritual connection and covenant between us that empowers you to understand who I am, what I aspire to become and how you can best work with me and help me and the community we shape to improve each day.

Character and Personal Values

To be an example of inspiration, integrity, excellence, humility, generosity and stewardship.  Flowing from the concept of Areté.

My Personal Leadership Philosophy

• Leadership provides values, vision, purpose, and direction.
• Leadership provides the grand challenge, creates the environment, and invests in the individuals we engage with to inspire greatness to emerge.
• Leadership inspires individuals to achieve extraordinary things.

Personal Leadership Philosophy Applied

• I will provide the values- I believe in excellence in all things.  I believe in a stewardship approach to the preservation and growth of native communities.  I believe in our spiritual connection to the people and place around us.
• I will provide the vision- My vision is to be the recognized leader in socially responsible and sustainable capacity building for native communities.
• I will provide the purpose- To identify, leverage, and convert opportunities for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and tribal enterprises into realized potential in a manner that reflects our culture of sustainability.  To support those ventures with a level of service that ensures successful collaboration and growth in the community and economy.
• I will provide direction- Ethos is the link between leadership behaviors, core values, and a decision-making process.  All great organizations have one thing in common – a well-defined ethos.
• I will provide communication that promotes continuity of values.  Articulate and persuasive in the written and spoken word; effective in both formal and informal communication; cordial and with a sense of humor.
• I will expect those around me to communicate through direct and honest feedback.
• I will provide the example of excellence for you- Excellence exists in all things, from life practices to business practices.
• I will serve those for whom I set the examples with joy.  The example I set through my actions underscores the values we assert.  We will do it with joy!

The Attributes I Aspire to Role Model Each Day

• Inspiration- The ability to inspire and motivate others to take positive action; committed to the success of the organization.  And the well being of staff and those we serve.
• Integrity- I am a principles-based leader, and will always say what I mean and mean what I say.  In the end, my words and my actions should match.
• Excellence- I believe in surpassing ordinary standards; holding an outstanding fitness for purpose.  Holding the highest standard of performance, excellence is the concept of happiness which results from a life well-lived, being prosperous and fulfilled.
• Humility- Mankind has many gifts.  I seek to learn from others, treat every success and failure as a learning opportunity, and strive to be a better version of myself each and every day.
• Generosity- I believe in the guiding principle of pure intentions; looking out for society’s common good and giving from the heart.  Generosity should reflect the passion to help others.  Giving without expecting in return.
• Stewardship- My native culture teaches that we are not the true owners of community assets verified through title and deed.  Instead, we are tenant caretakers charged with the growth and preservation of those assets in a culturally respectful, sustainable way.  The true owners are all those generations that follow.  The heart of a steward subordinates self-interest for the service of those generations.  I will engage in stewardship with those values as my guideposts.

What I Expect of Those whom I Directly Engage:

• Be a Learner- I encourage everyone to aspire to be the best version of themselves each and every day.  Be true.  Be self-aware of your opportunities for personal growth and development.  I prefer errors of enthusiasm to the indifference of pride.
• Be Committed- Seize every opportunity to energize, educate, and empower.  Bring a bias for action and set the standard for all else to be measured against.
• Be Accountable- We individually and collectively own the outcome.  If you accept outcomes that are less than excellent, you have just established a new standard.  Identify constraints and solutions to constraints.

What I Strive to not Accept

• Failing to Prepare- Showing up lacking the context or understanding of the situation, facts, or alternatives diminishes the quality of the outcome, slows growth, and prevents you from actively contributing- making you the constraint to success.
• Failing to Dissent Early- Harboring a difference of opinion and not offering it up for discussion and debate is passive-aggressive behavior.  It minimizes the quality of the outcome and diminishes the effectiveness of execution.  If the decision goes another way, be willing to disagree and commit.
• Failing to Engage in a Cause Greater Than Oneself- An organization is only as strong as the weakest contributor.  Everyone’s success is measured by the organizations success and should be the highest purpose for which we all strive.

My Commitment

To share this philosophy with all those who directly engage with the organization.  Seek their input on how to make it better and seek to live and inspire these ideals daily.

What I Believe is My Destiny

To inspire others to reach their highest human potential.

What I Believe is My Calling  

To provide visionary, transformational leadership in Socially Responsible and Sustainable practices with regard to cultural values, the environment, social practices and governance to tribal nations.