There is a subtle art of leadership among the Cherokee, my father is adept at it. I wrote this piece a decade ago. It is only because I was close enough that I got to witness it.
I was back in north Georgia visiting. Dad said, “Let’s load up in the truck.”
We went down to the VFW hall, he opens the door, (he’s got the keys), turns on the heat, then tasks me with mopping the entry. He starts the coffee, sets out the ashtrays, puts out the sugar and cream, takes the agenda from the office, copies it and distributes it to the tables. As the first few people come in, he introduces me to them, then goes to sit down.
Other guys are in charge of the meeting, the chairman gets up on the dias, followed by officials and flag carriers. As the meeting goes on, and they’re about to consider new business, he raises his hand and says “Well, what are we going to do about … shouldn’t we…” As soon as someone realizes that it is a trailing piece of unfinished business, he pipes up with, “We should do what Sgt. Buck said.” The chair says “There’s not yet a motion on the floor.” Then another guy reframes the idea as a motion, followed with a quick second, and a show of hands to pass. It’s now an official action; but my dad’s name isn’t on it in the minutes of the meeting. Then as the last of folks file out, he empties he coffee pot, picks up the ashtrays, loads the dishwasher as I again sweep the hall and mop the entry. Then we turn out the lights and leave.
Go to the People
Live with them,
Learn from them, Love them.
Start with what they know.
Build with what they have.
But with the best leaders
When the work is done, the task accomplished
The people will say, “We have done this Ourselves.”
(Lao Tsu, 700 BC)
Safeguarding the sacred springs of the Cherokee near Red Clay, GA
east of New Echota, Georgia
