This video was interesting and introduced a new concept to me called Tribes. When I think of a tribe, I associate it with a group of cave people living long ago. However as the video progressed, I could see where he was going with this concept. He believes that we are all members of some tribe. He began this theory on February 3, 2008, Superbowl Sunday. He noted how tribes met and gathered with a common purpose in mind, to watch the game and support their team. They held tribal councils, about what commericals they liked the best and if they enjoyed the half time show. He then divided these tribes into different stages. In stage one there are only 2% of the population, these are the people who feel Life sucks. 25% of the people make up stage 2, and they feel that their own life sucks. In stage three, 48% of the people feel that I'm great and your not. This is the largest group and the people we go to battle with in business' each day! Stage 4, consists of 22% of the population and feel that we are great as a group. Stage 5 feels life is great, but only 2% of the population are in this group! Great leaders are able to connect with people in all levels. Most people can only hear their leader in one level above or below the level that they are presently in. An effective leader is able to move a person at least to one stage higher than they presently are in. He asked two questions:
How do our tribes change the world? and Will your tribe change the world?
This made me think about the different tribes that I am in, school/faculty tribe, family tribe, old friends tribe, my kid's friends parents tribe, my husband's coworkers wives tribe, etc. I know people in all stages of different tribes. One negative person in any one of these tribes ( stage 2) can bring the whole tribe down. The negative attitudes and comments change the dynamics of the whole group. As a leader, I will have to speak to all five stages, and truly try to speak to Stage 1 and Stage 2 people and nudge them up to Stage 3. Truly listening to what they feel is negative or why things suck, can be opportunities for positive change, and if not, as a leader the hardest part of our job is to kick someone out of the tribe by saying this may not be the right place for you. With leadership comes great responsibility. I hope that my tribe affiliations can change the world in positive ways.
Michelle,
ReplyDeleteThe thing about your post that draws my attention is the phrase, "gathered with a common purpose in mind". That reminds me that sometimes members of the tribe forget the vision or mission of the tribe.
I agree about the negative attitudes and comments changing the dynamics of a group. Those things can have a devestating impact on a faculty or any group. At the same time, one positive tribe member can move mountains!(make a yearbook, start a club, etc....)
I think leaders of tribes have a great responsiblity and choice when choosing their tribe members.
I agree, I like the positive tribe member moving mountains. It only takes one person to make a change and start a movement! I hope I can be a part of positive change to make my tribes achieve success.
Delete