Response to Achsah’s Spring weekly blog
I believe in all professions to a certain extent we used mixed methods in the workplace. In my past work experience and education, I was trained on best practices for management, human resources, finance, etc. in operating a successful business. Many of these best practices have been studied though qualitative research that directly ties in the financial success of organizations. Since coming home to my indigenous community I have been exposed to traditional knowledge which has broadened my thinking. At first I was very skeptical but then as I opened my mind, more and more I became flexible and realized the merit these teaching have in a leadership role. I believe this is where qualitative research can be very helpful in understanding emerging trends and or looking back on traditional knowledge which may previously been discounted. In my case as a leader I do rely on my academic teachings but have also blended my traditional teachings where it makes sense. For today’s work environment this works well, particularly as a transformational servant leadership style seems to be on the up-rise. Indigenous traditional teachings remind us that everyone has a gift and that not one person is more important than another. Leadership is not a given, the people will chose to follow a leader. If I followed best practices only through quantitative studies then instead I believe I would not be as effective of a leader in today’s business world. In searching for mixed method research that takes into account both quantitative and qualitative research, there is little available, particularly on the topic of indigenous leadership. Instinctively though, I believe in practice we all utilize what works from our own personal experiences. This is what allows us as humans to grow and as leaders achieve continuous improvement.