Ever wondered how leaders like Steve Jobs and Jacqueline Novogratz built tribes that transformed industries and uplifted communities? How do organizations like Acumen Fund inspire tribes to create a ripple effect of positive change? Could you harness the power of tribes to ignite a meaningful journey in your field? What's stopping you from leading your tribe today?

Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us

Joel Spolsky, a software engineer and writer, isn't just running a small software company in New York City; he's revolutionizing the world of programmers through his blogs, books, and conferences. His innovative hiring and management strategies have garnered him a massive, influential tribe. Joel’s tribe isn't just about software; it's about transforming the industry by connecting brilliant minds. His Joel Test and profitable job board are prime examples of his leadership in action.

Just as Joel has his tribe, Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead built a tribe that changed the music industry without relying on record sales. Their concerts were more about community and shared experiences than just music. This tribal connection is a survival mechanism ingrained in us for millions of years, proving that humans have always needed to belong.

Jacqueline Novogratz is another leader creating change, not in a single town but across twenty countries. Her work with the Acumen Fund inspires entrepreneurs to uplift communities with essentials like clean water and ambulances, challenging traditional philanthropy.

The Internet has made it easier than ever to form and lead tribes. From Facebook to Twitter, new tools empower us to connect people with shared interests across the globe. Gary Vaynerchuk, with Wine Library TV, leads a tribe passionate about wine by connecting people and sharing his enthusiasm, not by pushing products.

Inside organizations, internal tribes are forming too. Mich Mathews at Microsoft leads a tribe of marketers who shape the company's image. This internal tribe's respect and attention are hard-earned and vital for driving change within the organization.

Marketing has shifted from mere advertising to engaging tribes with powerful stories. Today, the market craves change, and leaders who provide that change are rewarded. Heretics—those who challenge the status quo—are the new leaders. Jonathan Ive at Apple and Micah Sifry at the Personal Democracy Forum are perfect examples, making significant impacts by leading their respective tribes with passion and innovation.

Leadership isn't about authority; it's about creating change and connecting people. Thomas Barnett changed the Pentagon's approach to modern threats with a powerful idea, proving that even without formal authority, one person can lead a movement.

Great leaders like Muhammad Yunus and Al Gore turned their ideas into movements by empowering their tribes to communicate and support each other. Skype’s rise and the fall of the Berlin Wall are testaments to the power of tribal communication.

In this new era, whether inside a corporation or within a community, the opportunity to lead is vast. Leaders are not just managers; they are change-makers. The tools are available, the tribes are waiting, and all that's missing is your vision and passion. It’s time to lead and make a difference.

Are You the Next Tribe Leader Changing the World?

Building lasting connections often leaves a deeper impact than tangible products. Take the Acumen Fund, a nonprofit that empowers entrepreneurs in the developing world, creating a tribe of committed individuals that spread messages of empowerment and growth. Unlike the residue of physical products, these tribal connections grow and create a ripple effect of positive change.

Senator Bill Bradley outlines the anatomy of a typical tribal movement: 
• a compelling narrative, 
• strong connections among the tribe members, and 
• an open call to action. 

Wikipedia is a prime example; co-founder Jimmy Wales didn’t manage a team, he led a tribe of dedicated volunteers with a vision, fostering engagement and connection through evolving technology.

Similarly, in 1984, Seth Godin joined Spinnaker, a startup aiming to create educational computer games. With no staff, Godin started a newsletter to highlight their breakthroughs, turning a group of disparate engineers into a cohesive tribe. This led to a successful product launch, proving that people rally around a meaningful journey, not just tasks.

A crowd is not the same as a tribe. Crowds are leaderless and unconnected, while tribes are driven by leaders and strong connections. The marketplace now demands remarkable ideas that spread and engage true fans—those dedicated individuals who support and amplify your work. Kevin Kelly’s concept of "1,000 True Fans" illustrates this perfectly; they provide the attention and support needed to thrive.

Twitter exemplifies how technology can build trust and tribes. For instance, Laura Fitton used it to grow her career, showing that consistent, valuable engagement can turn casual followers into true fans.

Organizations that challenge the status quo and foster initiative thrive. The old factory model of predictable, repetitive work is fading. Instead, leadership and innovation are key to navigating change and engaging tribes.

However, fear often holds people back. Overcoming fear and pushing past one's limits is essential for leadership. The Peter Principle suggests that people rise to their level of incompetence due to fear, but awareness of this fear can drive progress.

Creating purple cows—remarkable products worth talking about—is crucial. Boring ideas don’t spread, and organizations resistant to change stagnate. Embrace innovation, lead with vision, and build tribes that make a difference.

Building Tribes, Breaking Barriers: A New Age of Leadership and Innovation

Fear of failure is often just an excuse. In reality, what people fear more is criticism and blame. Imagine launching a bold project at work. If it fails, the company absorbs the financial hit, not you. Yet, many shy away from innovation to avoid the sting of criticism. Constructive criticism can be valuable, but vague negative remarks only harm.

Consider heretics like Steve Jobs, who challenged the status quo with unyielding belief. Or David Chang, the celebrated chef who focuses on his tribe rather than glory. Leaders aren’t driven by ego but by a desire to help their communities thrive.

Leadership is about generosity and tightening the tribe. Meghan McDonald, a humble coach, exemplifies this by quietly inspiring her team, leading to self-sustaining teamwork. Steve Jobs, through his secrecy and product launches, created a fervent tribe of Apple enthusiasts who eagerly spread the word.

Leadership involves embracing discomfort. True leaders lean into challenges, inspire curiosity, and aren’t afraid to make bold moves. For example, CrossFit has built a passionate tribe around intense fitness routines, while Patientslikeme.com connects those with illnesses, providing mutual support and shared knowledge.

Curiosity fuels leadership. In a world where most people resist change, curious leaders drive progress. Leaders don't need to appeal to everyone. Al Gore’s climate change message resonated with those already concerned, showing that effective leadership attracts followers with shared worldviews.

Great leaders, like Jimmy Carter building homes for the poor, lead through generosity. They focus on what they can give to the tribe, not what they can gain. Leadership is a choice to create change, inspire innovation, and challenge the status quo, even if it means being a unicorn in a balloon factory.

Are You a Leader Like Steve Jobs or a Unicorn in a Balloon Factory?

In 1967, Jim Delligatti, a McDonald's franchisee in Pittsburgh, broke the rules and invented the Big Mac. His creation became a global sensation and even inspired meatless versions in India. Similarly, in 1946, Percy Spencer, while working on radar technology at Raytheon, accidentally invented the microwave oven by melting a chocolate bar. These stories remind us that true innovation often comes from unexpected places.

Bear Naked, a company that redefined how we buy breakfast, succeeded without the resources of giants like Kellogg’s. They led with simplicity and change, showing that growth often requires breaking old rules.

Consider rock climber Chris Sharma, who revolutionized the sport with his dynamic "dyno" jumps. His daring approach inspired a new way of thinking about personal achievement, much like how Obe Carrion, a U.S. rock-climbing champion, won by running up a wall rather than slowly climbing.

Leadership, however, is more than daring acts; it's about faith. Faith is the belief that motivates leaders to challenge the status quo, despite resistance from trusted peers and potential failure. Unlike rigid religions that enforce conformity, faith fuels innovation. Steve Jobs at Apple and Phil Knight at Nike built new "religions" around their visionary faith, creating supportive communities.

Switching systems without losing faith is common. For instance, many Americans change their religious affiliations but maintain their underlying faith. This adaptability is crucial for growth and avoiding mediocrity.

Leaders like Chris Sharma or even corporate heretics need to challenge the norms. They create movements by publishing manifestos, connecting with followers, and making it easy for these followers to connect with one another. Transparency, inclusivity, and consistent growth are hallmarks of successful movements.

Sheepwalking, a term for mindlessly following rules, stifles innovation. Organizations thrive when they give their employees freedom and respect. Google’s culture, for example, emphasizes initiative over compliance, leading to remarkable achievements.

Ultimately, leadership is about taking responsibility and initiative. Leaders don’t blame others for failures; they adapt their communication and strategies to ensure their vision is understood and embraced. The real challenge is moving from being a thermometer, which merely indicates problems, to a thermostat, which actively changes the environment.

In the end, the most effective leaders, like those who lead micromovements, are those who initiate change, inspire faith, and create new paths for others to follow. How will you lead your tribe today?

Breaking the Mold: Leadership Lessons from Big Mac Inventors to Rock Climbers

As your tribe grows, the temptation to poach members from other tribes is strong—like trying to convert a die-hard soccer fan to football. But this rarely works. True growth comes from attracting seekers, people on the fringes looking for that vibrant community feeling. Instead of targeting entrenched loyalists, focus on those still searching for a tribe.

Change and leadership face their biggest enemy in "not yet," the safe procrastination that stalls innovation. The curve of benefits from innovation shows that by the time you think the world is ready, it's already too late. Don't wait for the perfect moment—it’s better to be slightly early than catastrophically late.

Leadership, like magic, isn’t just about knowing the tricks but mastering the art. Jamy Ian Swiss, a magician, states that magic happens in the spectator’s mind, not in the methods. Similarly, leadership requires authentic generosity and a real connection to the tribe.

Consider Tasmin Little, a violin prodigy who offers her music for free online and performs in prisons and schools. Her commitment to spreading classical music goes beyond mere talent—it's genuine leadership. Or think of Peter Diamandis, who launched the X Prize to spur innovation in space flight, creating a new community and field through his vision.

Leadership is about hope combined with a concrete vision. People won't follow a leader who only has optimism; they need to believe you can achieve your goals. Leaders like Reagan and Graham Weston succeeded because they listened and then made decisive moves.

Resistance is inevitable. Remarkable ideas are always met with opposition. But persistence in the face of mediocrity is crucial. Look at Nathan Winograd, who transformed animal shelters by refusing to kill healthy pets, mobilizing volunteers, and gaining media attention.

Leadership is about caring deeply and building a culture around a shared goal. Leaders challenge the status quo, use charisma to attract followers, and connect people. They don’t need to be in powerful positions; they just need to be committed.

Charisma isn't innate—it's a result of leadership. Many charismatic leaders started without it, proving that it’s a choice, not a gift. And the true essence of leadership is listening. Reagan’s secret was to listen, value input, and then make decisions, even if unpopular.

Leadership isn’t about waiting for the perfect moment or being born with special traits. It’s about making the decision to lead, fostering imagination, and fiercely protecting the integrity of your vision. 

Are You Ready to Lead Your Tribe Towards Innovation and Change?

In the world of programming, innovative hiring and management strategies can build a tribe that goes beyond the industry, connecting brilliant minds and effecting change. Similarly, leaders in other fields from music to philanthropy have built their tribes and changed their industries by fostering a sense of community and using their platforms to create change.

The internet has transformed the way we form tribes, with tools like Facebook and Twitter enabling people with shared interests to connect globally. This shift has also changed the way we market, with the focus shifting from advertising to engaging tribes with compelling stories.

Leadership today is about creating change and connecting people, rather than asserting authority. Successful leaders are those who challenge the status quo and lead their tribes with passion and innovation. They are not just managers, but change-makers.

Building meaningful connections can create a ripple effect of positive change, with the growth of tribal connections often having a greater impact than tangible products. Successful tribes are driven by leaders and strong connections, rather than being a leaderless crowd. These leaders inspire curiosity, challenge norms and foster initiative within their tribes.

Fear and complacency can hold people back from becoming leaders. Overcoming these barriers and creating remarkable products that stand out is crucial for success. True leaders are those who initiate change, inspire faith, and create new paths for others to follow. The choice to lead is available to everyone, regardless of their position or resources, and tribes everywhere are waiting for someone to step up and lead.

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Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us

Seth Godin

6 Key ideas

14 MINS

4.4 (2.3k)

Ever wondered how leaders like Steve Jobs and Jacqueline Novogratz built tribes that transformed industries and uplifted communities?

How do organizations like Acumen Fund inspire tribes to create a ripple effect of positive change?

Could you harness the power of tribes to ignite a meaningful journey in your field?

What's stopping you from leading your tribe today?