Developing Our Leadership Qualities
An Interview with Cara Cowan

       Cara Cowan is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and is of Cherokee/Choctaw descent. She serves as secretary of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) board of directors and is an engineer at WilTel Communications in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Here she examines the idea of leadership and how it can be developed in communities, school, tribes and industry. At the time of publication, Cowan was a candidate for the Cherokee Nation Council.

Winds of Change: What various leadership roles have you held in your life and what roles do you hope to attain in the future?
Cara Cowan: I began taking leadership positions in high school and college. In high school, I was vice-president of our Native American Club. At Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, I was vice-president of the AISES College Chapter and was the AISES Region IV student representative. In the future, I hope to pursue leadership positions in mainstream politics as well as tribal politics.

Are there some common qualities in all leaders, whether they are student leaders, leaders in tribal or U.S. government, corporate or community leaders?
I often recognize a "follow-through" quality in leaders at any level. True leaders often have excellent communication skills and the ability to reach out to individuals. Their communication skills are at the grassroots level in that they can talk to people one-on-one. Most importantly, good leaders have integrity.

What are some of the challenges facing Native American leaders today?
Too many of our tribal leaders get mired in tribal political battles rather than solving issues that affect our people.

Why do you think the strongest criticism of our leaders comes from within our own communities and how does one deal with this?
Tribal communities are different in that many of us are related by blood or marriage so there are more personal attacks. We have not learned to differentiate and get past that as individuals. Leaders need to keep their focus on the issues and learn the tricks of turning a personal attack into a discussion about the issues at the heart of the concerns.

What skills and abilities should Native leaders possess in light of the unique demands placed on "walking in two worlds" between Indian Country and mainstream society today?
Leaders must be personable and be ready to go into situations on a personal level and remain respectful. At the same time, we can't expect more from our leaders than we ourselves are willing to give. We can't expect our leaders to be perfect when we ourselves do not strive for perfection.

Traditionally, Elders were revered for their leadership and guidance of a community. Do you think Indian people are remaining true to this tradition?
Our Elders are a great untapped resource and I often think that we ignore the wealth of knowledge that is there. We've lost the art of casual family conversation where meaningful stories are often discovered. At the same time, we need to recognize individuals at any age who are making valuable contributions to our communities.

The role of a leader is incredibly demanding. How have you learned to take care of yourself so that you can continue to give of yourself?
I struggle with this all the time, but I've learned to try to keep my health in balance. I would suggest making exercise a priority. Set aside a time when you can take care of your body. For instance, I play basketball and run one 5K a month. A viable leader has good physical and mental health. Additionally, make sure your diet is good. Develop healthy eating habits.

Who are some of the leaders who have helped you develop your own leadership qualities?
There are dozens of people in the AISES community and the Cherokee Nation who have helped and influenced me. My mom, Beverly Cowan, has given me inspiration and taught me how to juggle the world with the resources at hand. My dad, "Curly" Cowan, and my brother, Brett, both gave me a sense of humor to battle the worst storms. Marti Aleshire, my AISES mom, taught me how to face the corporate world as a Cherokee woman.

What advice do you have for young people who would like to become leaders in their communities, whether?
I'd tell them to start with small projects. Start with something you're comfortable handling. You'll learn quickly what your strengths are. It's important to realize that you're not going to fit into every leadership role.