“Lessons from the Cherokee Nation are lessons we each must remember to improve our lives, organizations, and communities. Chief Smith shares stories with lessons that work in business; it is not where we are, but where we aspire to go that counts.” —Harold Hamm, Chairman and CEO, Continental Resources, Inc.

What does leadership mean to you? What's stopping you from making the changes your business needs to thrive? What are the questions you need to ask yourself as a leader in order to pave the way to success for your organization and yourself?

Chief Chad “Corntassel” Smith, the former Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, addresses these questions in his new book, Leadership Lessons from the Cherokee Nation: Learn from All I Observe (McGraw-Hill Professional; March 2013; HC, $22.00). He speaks from direct experience: he was instrumental in turning his 300,000-strong nation from an organization in turmoil and disarray into a functional and healthy entity. Now, Chief Smith introduces the “Point A to Point B” leadership model he used to achieve success.

His model is based on a traditional Cherokee prayer that encourages learning from different perspectives as the sun moves across the sky from sunrise to sunset. He illustrates that at Point A, people must have the humility to understand their place in space and time, as well as their strengths and weaknesses; Point B requires vision and an understanding of opportunities. Leadership Lessons of the Cherokee Nation helps you ascertain where you are, identify where you want to go and how to negotiate the curves, detours, and potholes between the two points.

As a result of these lessons, between 1999 and 2011, the Cherokee Nation had developed, grown, and matured exponentially:

• Jobs created by the Cherokee Nation increased from 2,800 to 8,500;

• The healthcare system grew from $18 million of services to $310 million;

• Assets increased from $150 million to $1.2 billion;

• $600 million of construction was completed;

• A Cherokee language immersion school was created with 100 children enrolled;

• The Cherokee Nation became a national model for accountability, transparency, and self-governance;

• The annual regional economic impact of the Cherokee Nation in 2010 was $1 billion.

Chief Smith steadfastly held his vision and insistently focused on growth: as a result, his nation flourished and lives were transformed in countless significant ways. He reveals how he turned his visions into reality—and how any business and organizational leader can do likewise. The book delves into what exceptional leaders do differently from their colleagues, and how all leaders become more effective. What can be done to develop leadership skills that make a positive difference and avoids pitfalls that cause organizations to fail? Whether you are the CEO of a large corporation, run your own small business or organization, or are seeking new leadership strategies, the valuable lessons from Leadership Lessons from the Cherokee Nation are sure to make an impact. Make 2013 more productive, happier, and profitable!