A famous scene from the classic movie Cool Hand Luke, has the prison captain calmly stating, “What we’ve got here, is failure to communicate” after striking inmate, Luke (Paul Newman), to the ground (Rosenberg, 1967). It is a powerful scene that runs through my head often and, despite the captain being a detestable character, he is not completely incorrect.
I am not suggesting that the captain’s leadership model, which is most closely aligned with an autocratic style, is one to be emulated. It obviously is not. The character uses that phrase as a cautionary reminder to the others, emphasizing the consequences when his words go unheard. It could be more accurately stated as a failure to obey those in positions of power and privilege.
However, removing that line from the context from which it was delivered would reveal an insight that is at the crux of the climate crisis — a failure to communicate. Specifically, a failure to listen to anything contradictory to the dominant narrative. To take it a step further, if we were to imagine the opposite of the autocratic Captain, it could paint the picture of a leader genuinely expressing the need for reciprocal communication who employs the skills of listening as much as talking, someone who values collaboration and a sense of community. In essence, it might look very similar to an Indigenous Leadership model.
I intend to focus on the model of Indigenous leadership, as its principles resonate deeply with me. I believe it has the potential to bring people together in a meaningful way. However, I am aware of my limited knowledge and experience of Indigenous knowledge. Therefore, I approach this exploration with great humility and respect, recognizing that I am a student seeking to learn. I believe that embracing the principles of the Indigenous Leadership model, particularly deep listening, community-centered leadership, collaboration, and concern for future generations, could be beneficial for my specific climate challenge of motivating my close family and friends to see the urgency of the climate crisis.
My Climate Challenge
Many of the people closest to me consciously choose to remain uninvolved in addressing climate change, even though climate action closely aligns with their core values and belief systems. Within my circle, I am surrounded by genuinely good people who prioritize justice, equity, and their families, especially those with children who hold their kids’ well-being above all else. We often exchange parenting experiences with the shared desire for ensuring a safe and happy life and future for our children.
I believe that the lack of climate involvement stems from the fact that we are all products of a society that values individual success, often rewarding extraction and consumption. This prevents us from extending our values to the natural world and recognizing our interdependence on it. As eloquently stated by Robin Kimmerer (2013), “for the Earth to stay in balance, for the gifts to continue to flow, we must give back in equal measure for what we take”. Consequently, we fail to acknowledge the dependency of our children’s future on the environment.
“we must give back in equal measure for what we take”
– Robin Kimmerer (2013)
Listening
When cultural and societal norms are removed, the principles of an Indigenous leadership model align closely with values and desires of those closest to me and provide the necessary leadership qualities that could nudge them towards climate action. Particularly, the principles of listening; community-centered, collaborative leadership; and the consideration of the needs of those seven generations in the future (Withers, 2023). Listening, in particular, is an invaluable skill for leaders.
In Indigenous leadership, listening is regarded as a “much overlooked leadership tool […] that creates an environment of respect and safety“ (ONECA, 2022). This is an important tool, especially in personal relationships, as it fosters a sense of being heard, respected, and loved. It provides the foundation for uniting shared values and emphasizes the commonalities that connect us. When individuals feel unheard, they feel less connected and can feel dehumanized (Downey, 2017). Without truly listening, we cannot hear the voices surrounding us, hindering meaningful engagement and collaboration.
Community-Centered Collaboration
Together with the value of listening, another crucial aspect of Indigenous leadership involves letting go of ego — including my own. It is tempting to resort to old habits like information dumping or the desire to win an argument, but these behaviours are counterproductive and, ultimately, driven by self-interest. Indigenous leadership, as aptly stated in the Constitution of the Iroquois Nations, necessitates that “self interest shall be cast into oblivion” (Dekanawidah, n.d.). A leader prioritizes the needs of the community ahead of personal interests, fostering a culture of inclusion that makes room for the values and opinions of others (ONECA, 2022), the words and feelings of all community members hold importance in collaboration. Domineering conversations will serve only to alienate others while respectful collaboration provides the opportunity for understanding to take root. As Elder Albert Marshall (Bartlett et al., 2012) eloquently states, “Seeds germinate when the weather is right” (p. 334), highlighting the importance of nurturing an environment, and relationships, that create the necessary conditions for growth.
Future Generations
As a leader in any situation, I think there is great value in listening, building relationships and directing the focus to uniting people based on shared values underpinning opinions and beliefs. Particularly with Indigenous leadership, providing context about human connections with each other and the living world emphasizes the importance of making good decisions today to protect our own children and future generations. Hopefully, drawing this connection reinforces our responsibility to “look and listen for the welfare of the whole people and have always in view not only the present but also the coming generations, even those whose faces are yet beneath the surface of the ground — the unborn of the future Nation” (Dekanawidah, n.d.). Serving as a poignant reminder that focusing on “winning” an argument today may hinder longstanding changes. Instead, by listening, fostering relationships, and planting those seeds of connection, we can move closer to winning the battle for future generations. By recentering the conversation and urgency for action on the needs of our children and future generations, we can pave the way for a deeper understanding of the crisis at hand.
As difficult as it is for me to admit sometimes, I certainly have had my share of failures to communicate effectively. A failure to listen and provide the same respect to differing views that I ask them to extend to the Earth. We, as a society, are hindered by self-interest and have a failure to hear each other, the Earth, the needs of future generations, and the shared vision many of us hold. Instead of wanting to be heard above all else, a leader (me in this case) needs to let go of any self-interest for the good of our (local and global) community, listen, collaborate, plant the seeds and care for them until they germinate and beyond.
Living and leading in reciprocity with the Earth is crucial, and I believe it extends to the people we share it with now and those who will inhabit it in the future.
References
Bartlett, C., Marshall, M., & Marshal, A. (2012). Two-eyed seeing and other session learned with a co-learning journey of bringing together Indigenous and mainstream knowledges and ways of knowing. Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, 2(4), 331-340. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13412-012-0086-8
Dekanawidah. (n.d.). Gayanashagowa (The Great Binding Law). Constitution of the Iroquois Nations. http://www.indigenouspeople.net/iroqcon.htm
Downey, A. (2017). Listening for reconciliation and beyond. Association of Atlantic Universities, 21, 67-72. https://ojs.library.dal.ca/auts/article/view/8431/7759
Kimmerer, R. W. (2014). Returning the gift. Center for Humans and Nature. https://humansandnature.org/earth-ethic-robin-kimmerer/
ONECA (Ontario Native Education Counselling Association). (2022). Indigenous Leadership. https://oneca.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Indigenous-Leadership.pdf
Rosenberg, S. (Director). (1967). Cool hand Luke [Film]. Columbia Pictures.
Withers, D. (2023). Unit 3: The approach: How we make change happen [PowerPoint Slides]. Moodle. https://royalroads.zoom.us/rec/play/Wn7tbCQU7b8Yjqni0NN_ch_NH4jEjgwVLXJIANsTPVGWM1XxALxZbfnSF-q2tUvXxSKpWILpO9tlLq-X.mOUddHjC39irtZtL