Using traditional Tlingit concepts and stories, Anthony Mallott, presented Sealaska Corporation’s approach to innovation during the Juneau Economic Development Council and Chamber Luncheon at the Innovation Summit at Centennial Hall Thursday.
Mallott, CEO of Sealaska Corp., broke down Sealaska’s current innovation infrastructure by first asking,“What did our ancestors think of innovations, and how can we use that in corporations?” Mallott described different aspects of the corporate world by connecting them to Haa Aani (our land), Haa Latseen (our strength, leadership), HaaShuka (our ancestors) and Wooch.Yax (balance, reciprocity and respect).
“It makes me feel good,” Mallott said about Haa Aani. “But it means more than feeling good. It’s about our entire theme being wrapped in the environment. We (Sealaska Corp.) are in the environmental service and there is a commitment and drive to understand the projects.”
Mallott explained the land equals business, and it is something needed to be taken care of by people before and in the present so it can be ready for the future.
Mallott talked about physical strength when describing Haa Latseen. He related it to a story about sitting in water whether it was summer or winter no matter the temperature as a way to become stronger. While physical strength may not be as important in the corporate world, he said mental strength must be stronger.
“It is up to the corporation to build employees,” he said. “If it helps our employees, it will only help Sealaska.”
Being forward thinking is how Mallott presented Haa Shuka.
“There must be a continuum of past, present and future,” Mallott said. “It is easy to be short-term minded, but there must also be a long-term approach or it will not work.”
Mallott used the concept Wooch.Yax as way to relate what people have done before and what needs to be done now to succeed in the future.
“It is imperative to create a way of doing things to drive momentum. You can have curiosity, but you must also have a vision or you may not go anywhere.”
Mallott also noted companies must be willing to learn and use what you have to improve.
“Corporations must work in concert,” he explained. “It goes beyond teamwork. You have to make the most of the resources you have around you.”
Mallott closed by stating what he hopes Sealaska can ultimately give back.
“Wealth has been described as how much you give away,” he said. “If Sealaska’s wealth is assessed by how much we give our shareholders, then I will know all of that has worked.”
Correction: An earlier version of this article identified Anthony Mallott as CEO of Sealaska Heritage Institute. He is the President and CEO of Sealaska Corporation. This article has been updated to reflect this change.
• Contact reporter Gregory Philson at gphilson@juneauempire.com or call at 523-2265.
