Resumen

GARCIA-BRAVO, Ana Bertha  y  PARRA-VAZQUEZ, Manuel Roberto. The Leadership “Lead by Obeying” is Based on The Sacrifice of the Older Brother. LiminaR [online]. 2020, vol.18, n.1, pp.97-111.  Epub 15-Mayo-2020. ISSN 2007-8900.  https://doi.org/10.29043/liminar.v18i1.726.

In Mexico, where 15% of the population is indigenous, there is little literature that defines the characteristics of local indigenous leadership. The objective of this study is to describe the characteristics of Tsotsil indigenous leadership. We found an organizational system based on the leader obeying what is entrusted by the group he represents. The main motivational trait sought by the community is “sacrifice,” exemplified by the concept of bankilal, i.e., the elder brother who takes care of younger siblings. In this sense, we confirm what the Zapatistas maintain: In indigenous communities, leaders command by obeying the community they represent.

Palabras llave : leadership; indigenous people; organization and management; Tsotsil.