| I love this small book of four powerful leadership | | | | Lesson Three: Know Your Enemies |
| teachings. While "Leadership Lessons of Crazy | | | | Crazy Horse taught the importance of knowing, |
| Horse" may seem, initially, as less than | | | | understanding and respecting his enemy. The |
| appropriate, read on. Yes, Crazy Horse was one | | | | history of the Lakotas' clash with the |
| of the Indian military leaders that helped defeat | | | | newly-arrived white men in America may lead to |
| Custer at Little Bighorn in 1876. But he was also | | | | a renewed acceptance of our role in decimating |
| an "inspirational and effective leader." What is | | | | the Native American culture. But his comments |
| surprising is that his lessons are just as useful | | | | also provide insight into the enemies we face in |
| today. | | | | the world today. |
| The author does a masterful job of using Crazy | | | | The author shows that enemies such as |
| Horse's examples and stories from Native | | | | "poverty, homelessness, loneliness, racism" and |
| Americans to illustrate his points. Marshall, a | | | | others can "defeat us from within and cause the |
| Lakota Indian, combines his ancestors' ways with | | | | downfall of any society, much like an enemy that |
| contemporary instances to force us to step back | | | | may lay siege from the outside." He claims that |
| and think. We see the spiritual lessons of his tribe. | | | | the "spirit and soul of any society, of any nation, |
| This journey reveals much of the culture of the | | | | should be more important than economic and |
| Lakotas through the intriguing stories, and it | | | | military strength." |
| reminds us of our similarities, not differences. | | | | Isn't this one of the tests facing the United |
| These similarities underlie our spirituality. | | | | States as the President assumes power and |
| Lesson One: Know Yourself | | | | defines his role? With the focus on the economy |
| Knowing his strengths and weaknesses helped | | | | and our enemies overseas, let's be sure not to |
| Crazy Horse be an effective leader. One of his | | | | lose sight of who we are as we also fight those |
| strongest assets was being steady under | | | | enemies within. We need to protect the "spirit" of |
| pressure, and this steadiness developed after | | | | our society: |
| years of assuming responsibility for his tribe. What | | | | "When ordinary people take it upon themselves to |
| is amazing is that he only lived into his mid-thirties | | | | hold their leaders accountable for their actions and |
| and he was a tribal leader for more than 15 of | | | | inactions, then there is potential for more |
| those years. | | | | widespread change." |
| Not overestimating or underestimating one's | | | | Lesson Four: Lead the Way |
| abilities is a necessity for everyone. As Marshall | | | | Lead by example is the way of a true leader. |
| points out, "We must know ourselves better than | | | | "Actions are more substantive than words." Now, |
| anyone else. That is to say that we should know | | | | this is not a surprise to most of us, but it is a |
| ourselves honestly." | | | | lesson too often forgotten. The author's other |
| Marshall makes another important distinction. Any | | | | reminder is that "...It is only from the heart that |
| group, company or country must also know itself | | | | one can lead by example" as he warns us not to |
| and define its parameters in order for any leader | | | | let the complexity of today's society undermine |
| to lead. Perhaps that is what the United States is | | | | the basic values we know are important: |
| in the process of doing and should be doing for | | | | "In a democratic society, we have a right to |
| our leadership to be effective. | | | | expect our leaders to reflect the best of what |
| Lesson Two: Know Your Friends | | | | we are as a nation." |
| No leader can lead alone. That requires a trust in | | | | Everything is connected. Leadership qualities in any |
| the ability of others. Being clear about others' | | | | one situation can be translated, with some |
| abilities, however, is the key. In his early years, | | | | variation, into other cases. Know Yourself, Know |
| Crazy Horse was a scout for his tribe. He trusted | | | | your Friends Know Your Enemies, and Lead the |
| the ability of his fellow scouts, and "those whose | | | | Way. These are lessons for all of us in positions |
| character he knew he trusted implicitly." "When | | | | big and small. Marshall and his Lakota nation remind |
| people know they can depend on one another, | | | | us of our obligations to one another, our spiritual |
| they are powerful." | | | | commitment. |