In 1885, the remaining members of the Nez Perces were allowed to return to their land. Analysis Chief Joseph teaches us many important values that directly impact leadership. The first important value Chief Joseph addresses is compromise. While Chief Joseph was forced to move from his lands and lost much, the art of compromise is to be used, even when that art is ineffectual because those who you wish to compromise with, need not your compromise. The next value that is addressed is that of integrity.
Integrity is a vital part of being a leader.
Finally, the most important lesson that Chief Joseph teaches us is that leadership is focused most heavily on choice. Chief Joseph had the options of fighting until the last member of his tribe was dead. He could have forced his people to fight for their land and he could have prevented their surrender, but rather, he realized that the Nez Perces needed to survive. Chief Joseph was saving the battle for another day, or another forum, to ensure that his people had a place and the ability to flourish. The case of Chief Joseph allows for the study of the unique combination of integrity, compromise and the ability to choose in the incarnation of one man.