First, if you haven’t read Seth Godin‘s latest catalog of wisdom, Tribes, go get it now.
Today, I thought I’d talk a little bit about tribes – as in a movement of people, not the book.
One of the most frequently asked questions I get is
“How can i increase the awareness of _______ (my church, my company, my blog) through social networking? How can i get an online community like yours?”
Usually I’ll give some general advice anyone can Google about consistency, quality and interaction and end with a polite cyber high-five.
Go get ’em tiger.
As I was thinking through it though, I realized maybe not everyone should lead a tribe.
I’m not saying you have to have everything figured out to do it, nor am i saying that every tribe is built online. But to lead a tribe in the most unclouded of ways, you’ve got to start off on the right foot.
So, without further adieu, here is the first tidbit of how to lead a tribe:
Ask yourself if you’re ready.
How do you know if you’re ready? Try working through these questions to get you started.
- Do you have a mission to accomplish? Or is your mission to help others propel a cause forward?
- Do you want to increase your spotlight? Or do you want to increase the spotlight on a specific cause, or group of people?
- Do you feel you have a lot to contribute? Or are you ready to share ideas and provide a space for others to contribute?
- Are you wanting to take full responsibility? Or have you realized your responsibility is to inspire and empower a group of people to participate?
- Are you focused on utilizing your strengths to accomplish a goal? Or are you willing to incorporate the strengths and insight of others?
Obviously, these questions aren’t fully defined. Neither are the first questions “wrong” and the second questions “right.”
But the second questions are more tribal in nature, and if you’re only able to answer “yes” to the first questions, you might not be ready to lead a tribe just yet.
To play off the old adage, there is an “i” in the word “tribes” – Notice the “I” is? right in the middle, surrounded by all the other letters.
Without the others, the tribe couldn’t be.
Are you in a position to lead?
Comments
63 responses to “How to Lead a Tribe (Part 1)”
Right on. I have been thinking a lot as of late about all this. Like praying about what I post about and how I comment on blogs. How it all fits together. I think this is important to dialog about it. I also think the picture in the upper right looks like Madonna…like in the top of this post (not the picture of you), silly girl.
Anne,
Great probing questions to force one to ask…AM I READY? Thanks for the practical and real advice…not the trite pat answer one would expect.
Lead your tribe!
interesting thoughts, particularly as i continue (ad infinitum, it seems :)) the process of deciding if penning a blog (w/ Joy) is for me
Good stuff. Another question would be …Why? Do you really have something to say or is it just more noise? Many leaders are content to just make noise or settle with just being an echo of someone else rather than sounding a clarion call that rallies a tribe to move.
Anne: the question you ask are hard. Makes me want to take my computer and go home. In all honesty, those are really probing questions that a few years ago I would have had to have answer in the positive (to the first set of questions), i.e. it was all about me. Blogging has certainly brought about that “crisis of faith” because in so many ways it is about me/what I think/see things my way, etc. I WANT to be able to say a positive to that second question in each one…that is not “me” but “us.” Thanks for a strong post today-one that made me think deeply.
Anne,
This is something that, personally, I think would help me as I struggle with current realities. Why do you try to mess me up on weeks when I need it the most? If I don’t win the book, I am going to go get it.
Thanks…
I am actually doing a project on influence. Tribes was a great read but we are basically taking the ideas presented there and a few others and breaking them down into a very illustrative model for organizations and leader to use to evaluate where they are regarding influence. We are also producing a web app right now called The Tribe. Love your thoughts and this book is a must read for leaders.
My blog is about my life–andit seems that as I continue writing posts, people are stumbling across them. It’s just my hope that as people stumble by, they will see God and maybe leave with some sort of affirmation, hope or encouragement. But it’s not really my purpose to write a blog specifically to lead others, although, I realize that may happen in the process.
Good questions to think about. The book is definitely on my Christmas list so even if I don’t get it here, I will soon! :)
I love the idea of ‘propelling a cause forward’ together. I’ve not read the book yet so thanks for the tip!
Really interested in reading Tribes… maybe I’ll get it for free (hint hint).
The fun take away is the idea of being the “i” surrounded by the other letters… hmmmm
ME turned upside down is WE.
I think those who figure that out are ready to lead a tribe. Servant leadership. Yes leaders need a calling and be able to bring others along in the mission but that mission can’t be about the leader, it has to be about the people and the cause (whatever that may be) they are rallying around.
BTW… if you randomly pick me for a book, please give it to someone else. I already have several copies. :)
Great questions, Anne. Another one might be, “can you shoulder the criticism you’ll face?” or “are you willing to make tough decisions?”
FYI I love the way your site shows up on an iPhone- very snazzy! What are you using?
Anne:
Great post. The “I”ness with the simultaneous “we”ness is what I like about tribes. Too often communities, blogs, companies, organizations stress only either the “I” or the “we”.
The combination of the “I”ness through the lens of “we”ness is what makes tribes so connecting, powerful and more importantly fill the longing of people.
-T
I have heard so much about this book. It is definitely on my ‘to read’ list.
Most of the best “tribe” leaders I know were pretty unaware (as in not consciously building) of the tribe around them for a long time and very humbly picked up the reigns.
First time I have commented but this was well needed. I actually took over a tribe that had become scattered when I attended my “new church” Somehow it just evolved and I have lately come to realize leading a tribe is part of my gifting. It is so true the I needs to be surounded as we lay down our lives for others to move into their giftings.
The questions point back to what our mission really is …. to present God to others. The mission is not about “me.” If I’m not empowering others, I’m not fulfilling my mission.
great post Anne.
[ there is an ?i? in the word ?tribes? – but notice it?s right in the middle, surrounded by all the other letters ]
also reminds me of what Marcus Buckingham recently wrote – that the best teams have lots of I’s in them and they volunteer their strengths to their teammates.
just had a conversation last night with friends about needing to read this book….and my blog suffers from schizophrenia (is it a personal blog? ministry blog? family blog?), so maybe I should work through those questions….
Anne,
I respect you and the great things you are doing for the Kingdom with your blog. Your Tweets make me laugh too!
great use of the adage…leaders have to be surrounded…and surrounded by great people who will challenge, encourage, and support them…hoping to get the book for Christmas (if not free from you)…
Anne – this is so timely for me! I recently stepped down as Lead Elder at our church, having come through an interim period where we were without a pastor for almost two years. Now that we have a Lead Pastor, I’m truthfully struggling to find where I “fit” and more importantly, discerning my role in a new capacity. I loved your thought about the “i” in tribe. It’s not about me, period.
Thank you for speaking into a tough time in my life right now!
Peace!
Thanks for challenging us. Almost everything I join I end up leading or trying to lead. This will make me think about if I’m doing so for the right reasons…
These are good questions to ask. Makes me wonder about effectiveness and where my time/resources are going. Thanks!
-A
This is such a cool entry…I really like what you have to say. It’s very unique – in a good way. I like the play on the old adage with ‘tribe’. Really made me think – thanks.
I’m a member of Seth’s tribe. I gave a copy of Tribes to my church’s Director of Program and, this Friday, we’re launching a small group study using the book.
To play off Anne’s word play, the word “be” is the key to triBEs. A tribe exists to BE for something. Something bigger than oneself (hopefully). That’s what the Flowerdust tribe is about.
It’s important to “pay it forward”. So whoever wins the free copy, please read the book and pass it on.
I think you have to keep in mind that some tribes have leaders, and the mission/task-at-hand might not be completely figured out or clearly defined… but sometimes that’s okay.
Of course, I’m saying this because that defines me at this point in life. I’m an associate pastor at a small church (another CrossPoint Church – woot!), and while we have a lot of the big things worked out (like the gospel, etc), we’re still formulating our bigger plan of how to impact the culture in our ‘hood and how to contextualize the gospel to reach our community.
I think it’s healthy for people to look at their own situation, but I don’t think we can’t just wait until we’re ready to lead. Sometimes, we have to step up, even though we don’t think we’re 100%.
I’ll stop rambling now… great thoughts.
I don’t have anything profound to say about the post…I just want in on the book. :-P
Good post, btw. :-D
Thank you Anne –
and to answer the questions, I don’t know…
I thought I knew, but in just reflecting over the past year, my clarity is gone.
I think you’re dead on here. Many “leaders” are not ready to lead, and that brings the whole tribe down into ruin eventually. Another thing I think is important to know is when to step aside. Sometimes, even though we were ready to lead at one time, there might be life stuff that comes up that forces us to take a sabbatical and refocus. Part of great leadership is recognizing when this is necessary.
As the leader of a tribe for a couple of years, I’d add one point that’s definitely worth thinking about: Are you OK with that social mission being redefined, to the point where you might even be uncomfortable at times? When you empower the crowd and the community, and set them on a mission, they have the right, and the obligation, even, to change the terms of that mission …
Is there a reference in the footnotes to “called quest, a”? Ok, maybe a little early for obscure late 80’s Hip hop references.
I wonder if I can win two book giveaways in a row…
I’ll be reading this one whether I win it or not- and I’m just about done with Mad Church Disease!
got the book already – if i am selected for the freebie, i’ll pass it on to some needy soul.
what i wanted to say, though, is that this post demonstrates exactly why i’m so thankful you agreed to come down to baton rouge this week. there’s all sorts of stuff i’m glad you’ll get to see and experience (the homeless breakfast, a staff chapel here at HPC, sushi, both dream centers, hurricane damage, cajun food, then the strip club/prostitute outreach). not to take anything away from any of that, but this is the conversation i’m looking forward to most.
just thought i’d say so.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. As a leader, I’ve found that the moments where I feel most comfortable and rewarded are those moments when I rely heavily on the input and strengths of those around me and the people I’m leading. A mission can only be accomplished successfully when a team is working together and the individual team members are contributing as many of their respective strengths as possible.
I only lead a tribe of junior high girls, but would love to read the book.
Great post, I love reading your blog!
I really want that book!! I asked myself all those questions, mainly applied to my ministyr work, blog and writing, what I am looking to accomplish through them. Thanks for posting this. I’m gonna try to win a free one :-)
oh, and we wear a red SERVE T-shirt to Midnight outreach, what size do you need? Do you want long sleeve? I think we still have some long sleeve ones. Just e-mail Dan or me the size you need.
would love to read this book. randomly pick me. :)
random. I am going to buy it if I don’t win it here. :-) I need to figure out God’s next step for us. i am glad you are covering Godin’s work release program on here… Wish I could do that too.
This is something our staff could use big time right now. My husband and I have been talking about this topic, but on the angle of “running in your lane.” We are on a small staff and it’s frustrating to have people doing things or leading groups that they were never called to do/lead. I’m all for sacrificing certain areas to make sure that the only things we have going are those who are lead by people called/gifted to lead those areas and those alone.
I’ve only recently begun to read your blog and twitter feed, and I must be more out of the loop than I thought, because I haven’t heard of this book (although I’d heard of yours months ago). God and I are working through the next steps in my leadership process, so this book sounds very interesting.
I re-read my earlier comment, and want to clarify it –
I’m not speaking against Seth Godin’s teaching on this. I think readiness and ability are vital to a ‘tribe’ moving forward. But a lot of people get so caught up on being ready that they wait for the planets to align before making a move to lead. And sometimes we just have to get going.
If we only act on what will be successful and positive, then we aren’t necessarily following the Holy Spirit as much as we’re following pragmatism.
…but of course, I haven’t read the book, so he may have covered that issue already.
Thanks Anne for bringing some clarity to me. I have been working hard lately on building my “tribe” and your questions have helped me figure out my priorities and my focus in doing this! :)
This seems very similar to a paper on servant leadership I am currently writing. Thanks for causing me to stop and think harder!
Hmmm…so I thought a little bit on this Anne before I commented.
While there are elements I can relate with, the other side of the coin is a little more complicated than maybe is able to be explained in words…rather than through actions. I will try to explain my thoughts on leading a tribe.
I heard a good sermon on leadership this weekend and was re-inspired to be the leader I think the Lord has called me to be. It’s not just one day I wake up and I’m a leader, I know I am called. Granted, the tribe must exist for there to be a leader of something….but there is a reason he/she is a leader. They have the skills necessary to lead others.
Sometimes though (im going to go the church route in this discussion…) in a church, tribe-like settings are too often excuses resulting in an unsatisfactory product. There are too many opinions/ideas tossed around as if the church is run like everyone SHOULD have an opinion (notice I didn’t say COULD). I think team building is ubber important, but at the end of the day, someone has to take the reigns and drive!
There is a captain of a ship, a captain of a team/workforce, there is a boss at your workplace, and they all are the leaders making the hardcore decisions, sometimes with behind scenes info that their teams don’t know about because of the fact that only the leader should be handling that information. God only gives us what we can handle, right? And in these circumstances, the leader should be handling the most crucial and “heavy ladden” stuff because they are equipped to do so. Not everyone who has an opinion can handle the truth. Most people THINK they want to know the truth, until they hear it….
IF the whole tribe were to become involved there would be a good possibility of information being mishandled and misinterpreted. Just like the President doesn’t announce on national TV that we had 1,000 different threats on our country in the last hour or that we might be on to finding some war criminals and here are our plans, the same should be in a church.
The church is made up of people, we function as an organization, with financial reports and staff and bills we have to pay. So then, while I think committees and workgroups need to have a leader, but also work as a tribe, there is such thing as an ultimate leader, the boss man, the head honcho, the MAN.
And then the HEAD should be God guiding and stretching that MAN to work towards his will. If a leader is truly seeking God, you will see the fruits, even in struggling times and tough decisions, and EVEN through persecution, because the greater good was chosen, not the MAN. If the MAN, is willing to step back and humbly analyze the circumstances (good & bad) then he truly is a leader. Even when it’s not what he thinks is best, even though it leads to embarrassment for him, even though people continue to mock and ridicule, if then if he still believes his decisions were done in the name of the Lord, he is a leader. It’s the opposite, that I see churches falling into; gravitating towards a leader that says they are all those things, but has never stood the test, yet already claims a victory. Those leaders worry me. Even Jesus came to “prove” something in a sense. When we ACT like we are leaders and “lead” the tribe by the leadership style of “taking opinions from all tribe members”, who is really the leader?
When an entire Tribe gets involved in major decision making, it gets muddy. The phrase “Too many cooks in the kitchen” comes to mind….
I think we should “ask God if we’re ready,” too. I don’t always know. God ALWAYS knows.
This is some great insight, and right on the money. I think that answering these questions can also lead someone into really defining what they are all about and what they want to accomplish. For me personally, as one who is currently trying to build a tribe, they are also great reminders of what is important and that ‘it’s not about me’. Thanks for sharing, and I look forward to future posts on this subject!
I really appreciated your thoughts in this post and would certainly love to receive a copy of Tribes from you!
heard of but haven’t read the book. But I have read this;
“Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.” (I Tim) Just the profane handling the Holy, that’s what we are called to do. Not hard, simple. Read Maxwell, Schuller, Buckingham, et al and you’re set or so it would seem;
Leadership is learned, earned, nurtured, and matured (as close as I could get) Like a great basalmic vinigar well aged and doesn’t bite back.
You start with ONE person, we can all agree who that is.
“to play off the old adage, there is an ?i? in the word ?tribes? – but notice it?s right in the middle, surrounded by all the other letters.” — Love that. So true.
i thought the “i in tribes” point was great.
i’m a longtime reader, first time commenter. great work here, anne.
Anne:
I have enjoyed reading your blog over the past few weeks. When I became a grandmother, I started a blog – had wanted to for a while but saw no legitimate reason. Since I started writing the blog, I find fewer posts about the granddaughter and more about my faith and life experiences. Not getting a lot of comments on the blog, but I will run into friends or students who tell me they appreciated the honesty and felt better after. I decided that is it – I would love more comments, but if others are reflecting on something that is written, that is good news. Now I just need to learn how to get a bit more dialogue going with others. If I ‘win’ the book I can blog about it! Thanks again for ‘teaching’ how to blog and get interaction from the readers.
I just moved with my family to Wisconsin from Texas. I left behind a group of preteens that I had come to mentor. I met them first as friends of my daughter. As we did things with the church the group grew larger. After I moved here I thought of starting a blog for these young ladies. Then I stopped thinking about it and start wallowing in my misery of missing Texas. Then I read your blog. I feel like God wants me to do this. Not sure how to start it all, but I am open. Thank you for your blog!
I love reading Seth’s blog and hope to get the book the next time I’m in the US. I’m tribe building overseas and getting books like this one can be a challenge. Thanks for the clarifying questions, that’ll carry me over until I can get my hands on the book.
Anne,
Great post, I just got through reading tribes for the 3rd time. It has some remarkable insights as do all of Seths books. I do however agree that not everyone should leave a tribe, in fact I think that MOST people should not lead a tribe. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that you have written yet another great post. Also, put my name in for the free book!
PS. I added you as a friend a long time ago on Triiibes.com you should confirm it…. it would make my day
Great thoughts/questions/challenges Anne!
I would love a copy of Tribes, I am new to your blog…..
Thanks for a great post.
I have answered the questions on your post, and most of my answers were “yes” for the first question….. I tried to start something new for the company I work with, lets say build a new tribes, but I thought I was not ready to lead something. Need to think more and harder for the people I want to work with. Thanks!!
My To Be Read Pile is going to fall over and kill me in my sleep one night. But what a way to go!
First Mad Church Disease, now Tribes.
I’m gonna get this book. Thanks for all your recommendations. This MBA program looks awesome. I’ve thought about asking someone to practically teach me all the in’s and out’s of what it means to be an entrepreneur instead of going to biz school. Have you ever read Bootstrapper’s Bible? You’d love it.
By the way, Godin’s practical internship looks a lot like what I envision the church I dream of: “Want to be a minister? Spend some time hanging out with me and I’ll SHOW you how to do what I do.” Now that’s discipleship.
Great things to think about Anne. Thanks for sharing!
Busted.
As I scanned through your diagnostic questions, I was drawn more towards the first rather than the second. Thinking those were the “right” answers.
I should have read more closely, or I should just embrace this fact:
Not ready yet.