Overcoming challenges faced by pale-skinned Aboriginal men on mainstream Western boards

Article

Cahill (Awabakal), Wayne, Trimmer, Karen and Desmarchelier, Renee. 2025. "Overcoming challenges faced by pale-skinned Aboriginal men on mainstream Western boards." AlterNative: an international journal of indigenous peoples. 21 (2), pp. 318-327. https://doi.org/10.1177/11771801251337772

Article Title	Overcoming challenges faced by pale-skinned Aboriginal men on mainstream Western boards
ERA Journal ID	40493
Article Category	Article
Authors	Cahill (Awabakal), Wayne, Trimmer, Karen and Desmarchelier, Renee
Journal Title	AlterNative: an international journal of indigenous peoples
Journal Citation	21 (2), pp. 318-327
Number of Pages	10
Year	2025
Publisher	SAGE Publications Ltd
Place of Publication	United Kingdom
ISSN	1177-1801
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)	https://doi.org/10.1177/11771801251337772
Web Address (URL)	https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/11771801251337772
Abstract	Little is known about the knowledge, experience, and insights of pale-skinned Aboriginal men on executive and management boards. This research aimed to draw on these experiences to propose alternative approaches to boardroom practice. A Participatory Action Research approach involving four pale-skinned Aboriginal men with board experience generated themes of connection, shared and distributed leadership, and yarning as foundational guiding principles for influencing the culture of boardroom operations potentially allowing greater connection to the community it serves. These guiding principles have been utilised by First Nations people for centuries, however, are not recognised or validated within the dominant mainstream boardroom environment. A conceptual model for principle-based decision-making was developed to assist with the operation of boardrooms. Elements of the model include principles, the law and technical aspects that are underpinned by respect which influences the decision-making process.
Keywords	pale-skinned; Aboriginal; boardroom; leadership; yarning; principle-based decision-making
Contains Sensitive Content	Does not contain sensitive content
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020	479999. Other language, communication and culture not elsewhere classified
Byline Affiliations	School of Education

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