Tribes by Seth Godin: BOOK CLUB

TRIBES by Seth Godin

Welcome to Page Turner Tuesday:

BOOK CLUB with Life In A Larger Story

I recently finished reading "Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us" by Seth Godin. I LOVED this book! To all you leaders out there it's a great read. I wish I could figure out how to put what he is talking about in to practice. This is a fascinating book on leading people in this new media era and connecting people with common interests. 

Here are a few quotes that struck a chord with me in this book. They ring true deep in my soul. 

"Here’s the marketing math: Ideas that spread, win. Boring ideas don’t spread. Boring organizations don’t grow. Working in an environment that’s static is no fun. Even worse, working for an organization that is busy fighting off change is horrible." Amen. Fighting off change is working off an environment of fear. Leading out of fear creates a pins and needles environment. It's static and uninspiring. You will lose your best and brightest assets in this environment. You will recruit managers not leaders.

"What people are afraid of isn’t failure. It’s blame. Criticism. We choose not to be remarkable because we’re worried about criticism. We hesitate to create innovative movies, launch new human resource initiatives, design a menu that makes diners take notice, or give an audacious sermon because we’re worried, deep down, that someone will hate it and call us on it." This is absolutely true for me. I am working on liking myself and daring to put myself out there. The fear of blame and criticism has left me paralyzed for far too long. I am working on daring greatly!

"The art of leadership is understanding what you can’t compromise on." Yes! You must know your values and what is absolutely worth fighting for. Those things are worth taking your gloves off and throwing down for. 

"Faith goes back a long way. Faith leads to hope, and it overcomes fear. Faith gave our ancestors the resilience they needed to deal with the mysteries of the (pre-science) world. Faith is the dividing line between humans and most other species." Hmmm. Deep, I need to think about this more, but interesting thought.

"Faith is critical to all innovation. Without faith, it’s suicidal to be a leader, to act like a heretic. Religion, on the other hand, represents a strict set of rules that our fellow humans have overlaid on top of our faith. Religion supports the status quo and encourages us to fit in, not to stand out." YES! I want faith not religion. Stand out baby! Be YOU!

Check the book out! I would love to hear your thoughts on it! Call me once you read it and let's have coffee. My house, I'll make you a badass latte! Feel free to stop back by this post and add your comments on the book too. I'd love to hear from you. I am a unicorn are you? Read it and find out. This book encourages leadership, new ideas and pressing the envelope.

My Attempt at Creating a Tribe:

The night before Scott left for Africa I could not sleep. I had an idea for a tribe and I could not go back to sleep until I acted on the idea. (I think the idea came from God. I don't know if you believe in God or not, but I do and I think that's where the idea came from.) 

I wanted to create a tribe, a group for all the wives of the men going on the Africa trip. I saw an opportunity to form a small tribe. It may only be for a short season but there is a connection here to be made. There will be 25 women who are doing life without their husbands for half the month of February. There must be something that these women and men have in common, their husbands have chosen to go to Africa for 15 days together to walk along side some African men in conferences and leadership retreats. The women have agreed to hold down the fort while their men are away. There is sacrifice and love for a greater vision amongst all of these individuals. I think this tribe of women can offer encouragement and support. Finally, this tribe can intercede for one another and for the men. I was so restless I could not sleep until I created the tribe. At 4AM I connected the tribe (Wives of the Men on the Africa Trip), before I could chicken out.

Why would I chicken out and not form a small tribe? I fear critics.

Here's the story I told myself, my dark shadow side "Who are you to connect this tribe? They will think you are stupid and trying to get attention. They will judge everything you say and do. They will make fun of you and criticize you. This is a dumb idea and you shouldn't do it. You are exposing yourself and everyone will see how stupid you are." This story is my SFD, shitty first draft. 

I knew I wasn't doing this for me or for my reputation. I was doing this so we can help each other hold on to God and lift up our men, but fear and my pride nearly paralyzed me. I am ashamed of my SFD but the battle is real. 

I connected the tribe and I think that it has served its purpose. It's allowed these women to know they are not alone. This Tribe of Wives of The Men on the Africa Trip has offered community, wisdom and a few good laughs. For me it's made the days a little shorter and it's been nice to know that we are in it together. I'm not alone. 

I dared to create a tribe, thanks Seth and God for the encouragement! 

I realized if someone is not into it they don't have to join it. At the end of the day I want to be liked and I fear criticism. I fear criticism to the point where I just won't do anything in fear of being rejected. I am trying hard to like myself, to be brave and step into things I feel called to, like creating community amongst women. This tribe was never about me being liked even though my SFD said it was. This tribe was about connecting women to each other and God. My pride and SFD's are ugly. They hold me back. I am learning to acknowledge the risk and dare to lead. One side of me said, "Jen, this is a cool opportunity to connect women." The other side said, "You are so stupid and everyone is going to see you are stupid." Brene Brown calls it your SFD, Shitty First Draft. I like that. I think Satanic First Draft works too. I did it. I connected a tribe and I'm glad. 

Final Thoughts

It takes courage to create a tribe. It takes courage to start something. Life is too short to listen to our SFD. Get it out there and dare greatly. Use your leadership and ability to influence to the glory of God. You have been created as part of the body. Shine your light don't hide it in fear and shame. Dare greatly! Connect! Read Tribes. You may just love it! I want to hear what you think and see your tribes. We need you to lead us.

I need to take my SFD and put it in the hands of Jesus and trust HE can and will guard my heart and mind. When I live in fear of the critic I am not trusting Jesus and living the full life. Dare to lead and connect a tribe!