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What’s all this talk about Tribes?

As Seth Godin explains in his book Tribes -  A Tribe is any group of people, large or small, who are connected to one another, a leader, and an idea.  For millions of years, humans have joined tribes, be they religious, ethnic, political, or even musical.  It’s our nature.

Now with the internet connecting the world by the touch of a keystroke, tribes are forming and spanning the globe.  People with similar interests are gathering together to form bonds, alliances and friendships.  Common goals are supported and encouraged, sharing of ideas grows, and connections are made.  Some tribes have one main leader while others have a group that forms a leadership team.

One of the main points of a tribe is the idea.  An idea brings people together, not to rule over others, but to support and share equally.  A key factor in any leader of a tribe is their transparency, the fact that they lead by example.  There are no hidden agendas present in the modern tribes.  Differences are encouraged, embraced and respected.

Think of the various groups you may be part of.  What brings you together?  What keeps you returning?  The open, honest exchange of ideas and a safe place to express yourself.  Some tribe members may never meet face-to-face.  Their interactions may revolve around emails, social medias, and phone calls.

What amazing times we live in!  The differences that kept us apart can now be explored in ways that open the doors to new possibilities.  Social media has opened those doors wide.  From Facebook to Twitter to Linkedin, and everything in-between, people are reaching out, forming new friendships every day.

I am a part of numerous tribes.  Each one enhances and enriches my life in ways that help me grow into a better person.  I understand the dynamics of each tribe.  They encompasses the many different interests in my life.  I’ve noticed that some people I know are in more than one tribe I’m involved in.  Our common interests span more than one individual idea.

Take a look at your life.  How many tribes are you a part of?  What common interests do you have?  What do you contribute to the tribe?  Are you possibly a leader for a tribe?    Where are you going to have an impact on others?

Hmmm, a few thoughts worth contemplating a bit.