Being A Good Relative in The Workplace
What it means to be a good relative, and the relevance this concept has within the workplace, will be explored hereforward. Beginning with the operalizationalization of some terminology. Being a good relative doesn’t mean becoming the favorite cousin, the quirky rich auntie, or the most sacrificial child, nor does it necessitate having biological family. Those indigenous to Turtle Island, and more specifically the Anishinaabek, acknowledge ourselves as having relationships with the earth and all of its inhabitants.
Relative: everyone and everything a person has relationship with/to; examples include: including family, friends, fellow tribesman, neighbors and the broader community, colleagues & classmates, comrades, ancestors, the earth and all organic matter within.
To be a good relative is to be in right relationship with one’s relatives, to actively respond to one’s responsibility to be a good steward of self, community, and the planet. “All we need is eachother” (Yazzie, et al., 2026). Fortunately, we are not alone in navigating what this looks like in practice; the seven grandfather teachings serve as guiding principles (Kaagegaabaw, 2023) for what it means to be in right relationship with one another and the multiverse.
Within the workplace, being a good relative means showing up for colleagues by:
being reliable
meeting deadlines
being timely
embodying leadership irrespective of title
extending respect
to others, the work, and the strategic initiatives
sharing knowledge
skill sharing
constructive contributions
accepting responsibility
for mishaps, contributions, and conduct.
Being a good relative, in both personal and professional contexts, is about honoring relationships through accountability, respect, and reciprocity. At its core, the practice is simple: care for others, care for your engagements, and care for the world we share.
Discussion Questions for Experienced and Emerging Leaders
How does redefining “colleague” as a relative shift the way you might approach accountability, collaboration, and care within your organization?
In what ways can the principles of reciprocity and stewardship guide decision making when balancing profit with responsibility to your relatives?
To Cite This Article in APA7
Drost, A.R. (2026). Being a good relative in the workplace. The Braided Strategist. https://thebraidedstrategist.com/articles/being-a-good-relative-in-the-workplace
References
Kaagegaabaw, J.V. (2023). The seven generations and the seven grandfather teachings. James Vukelich.
Yazzie, M., Thunder, R., Serna, L. (2026, February 2). All we need is each other: From the frontlines in Minneapolis. [Audio Podcast Episode]. Red Power Hour. Red Nation Podcast. https://www.therednation.org/the-red-nation-podcast/
