Leadership During Crisis: Part II – Brian Parrish, Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprises

Will your core values stand the test of a true crisis? This is one of many topics Brian Parrish, Interim CEO, Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprises and I discussed in part two of our interview (make sure to watch part one if you missed it).

Brian states, “Until your values are really put to the test, it’s easy to take a firm position on issues.” He tells me unequivocally that Navajo leadership never wavered in their values and focus: the last year was clearly about saving lives and that superseded business matters such as tourism.

Never lose empathy for others

Although we want to get on to the “business of doing business” and fatigued by COVID crisis conversation, Brian believes in the importance of taking the time to reflect on what we’ve learned, after battling this “unknown adversary.” When I ask him if he thinks the philosophy of “leave your home life at home” has softened, he shares a very moving leadership perspective in that we can “never lose empathy for others” and part of that will be to help our team members deal with the grief of the last year.

You can learn more about key pivots and learning lessons not only from Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprises but other Tribal organizations in our latest issues of Tribal Gaming & Hospitality Magazine.