identitySPECIALIST

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Tribal Consciousness 2

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Lem Usita

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I blogged about tribal consciousness 3.30 – after hearing a talk from Rob Bell.  I wrote about it in light of identity formation and the safety that one can find in identifying with a tribe.  In the past few weeks, I’ve been reading and learning about Seth Godin’s ideas of a tribe.  As an identityspecialist, I’m trying to now think about the tribal consciousness of the type of Tribe that Seth is describing.  As someone interested in human developmental psych and identity formation, what makes up the tribal consciousness of some that leads a Seth Godin Tribe?

Seth says that anyone can be a leader of a tribe if they want to be.  I would agree with him.  He says that he can’t give the formula or the secret.  Leadership also is not bound by geography, personality, or even position.  It’s just that thing that someone has.

Using some identity formation constructs, an individual has to at the very least pursue several “personas” or “selves.”  It could be as simple as pursuing several versions of one’s self as a leader – different leadership styles.  In theory, as one explores and comes up against crisis, one is forced to make commitments to the possible leader that emerges from the crises.

Also, it is possible to project yourself as a leader (self-constructed), but it is also possible to project your perception of other people’s perception of you as a leader (socially-constructed).  Either way, you sculpt these identities and project them.  There is something about that that causes a leader to become one.  It’s starting to sound more like the consciousness of the leader of a tribe – more than tribal consciousness.

I was wondering if it might be personality-but Seth says that it is not.  I was wondering if it might have been some past experience that causes it, but the stories used are so vast and different.  I think I’m in a causal-comparative mode because that is the mode of my current research.  He does talk about risk and vision.  He talks about painting a picture of the future and challenging the status quo.  It’s about willing to fail.  It’s about not listening to the negativity.  It’s about not using excuses.  It’s about change.  I’m not sure how quantifiable that is, but I’ll read the book a few more times and hopefully I can make a list of themes that come up.

3 responses to “Tribal Consciousness 2”

  1. Linda H. Bassert Avatar
    Linda H. Bassert

    Leaders have the ability to create leaders around them. In delegating, some will pick up on how to delegate. In challenging others around them to be positive, they can foster a positive focus. Parents can instill leadership as well, if they are themselves leaders. I raised my children, “don’t tell me what you can’t do; tell me what you need help with.” I repeated it over and over, until even my youngest, who was inclined to be an Eeyore type pessimist now is a goal focused adult, persevering where others might have given up, to enter a difficult career field. Leaders know that you can’t steer a boat if you aren’t moving forward, and that managing change in positive directions is more effective that trying to not change. A leader is willing to look ahead to a goal, and move toward it. The clearer the vision is, the more it will attract you to it.
    Clearly some societies stifle leadership and initiative, and others reward and encourage those qualities. Some personalities are more receptive to seeking out new directions, and some grow up in more encouraging environments than others. But I do believe that those who move into action when others don’t, and who set goals when others don’t, and who are willing to suggest to a group a future course of action, will be leaders even if they are being leaders by being a good follower of an existing leader. I found your blog on Triibes. Welcome. Very thoughtful posts on your blog.

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  2. Lem Usita Avatar
    Lem Usita

    You are absolutely right. That reinforcement and repetition really helps. Leaders replicating themselves – I firmly believe in that. Thanks for the comment.

    Reply
  3. Becky Blanton Avatar
    Becky Blanton

    Leaders can be temporary or ongoing. In a crisis someone with expertise can step up and “lead” because they have the skills or knowledge in that situation. But on a day-to-day basis, they may not have the “leadership” skills needed to be as successful. Leadership is, I think, a state of flux. That’s why leaders focus on followers and not on (self)power trips. True leadership is the model Jesus Christ presented – that of servant. When you think of leadership as “serving” rather than “directing” or “controlling,” as most people do, then you begin to approach the true spirit and nature of leadership. You then lose the need for several personas. you have the one – that of servant.

    Think about it. One man, one idea, one mission and in the time since His death NO ONE has impacted the world more. His management style? Servant. Love your followers. Trust and entrust them with power. Be honest. Let them make their own choices – even bad ones (Judas). It’s a good plan. Glad to see you on triiibes and to see that you’re really thinking about Tribes. See you around!

    Reply

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