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Tribes: e Case Studies Written and compiled by the tribe at triiibes.com is compilation is yours to share, but not to profit from. Feel free to post or email.
The Tribes Casebook was written (or cheered on) by more than 3,000 people. Each case had a lead author, and the community at www.triiibes.com contributed advice, examples and encouragement. The site is by invitation only and currently closed, but the content is yours to play with. Click on an author's name to find out more. Feel free to email this or post this or print it. But please don't sell it or change it. ABOUT THE COVER: These hard-working firefighters are taking a well-deserved break from a training session. The house behind them was abandoned and is part of an exercise. The tribe of firemen (volunteer and professional) is essential to the well-being of our communities, and if it weren't for tribal behavior, there's just no way we'd have enough firemen. See details here: http://flickr.com/photos/oldonliner/1485881035/
The Tribes Casebook
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Seth Godin ere's a lot here. Big ideas, small ideas. Useful case studies, irrelevant asides. Links to fascinating information and black holes and time wasters. Of course, different people will have different judgments about what's what, so we left it all here. You decide. is book was written by a group, and edited by them as well. It contains the hard work of dozens of people, assisted by hundreds of volunteers and watched by thousands. Feel free to dig in and visit the links and explore. If you want to know more about what this is all about, consider: An overview of Tribes, the book and the idea. 58 books you might want to check out. e triiibe's list of tactics. anks for reading. Have fun.
e Tribes Casebook
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ey feel like they've been kidnapped from another tribe. but we also tend to stay away from each other. I'm a member of one of those tribes. you don't get to choose the tribes that you belong to. Others were brought into it by an accident or mistake. like." It's strange. We prefer to forget. ere are no leaders among them. ere's no bond between the nondisabled.Tribes You Don't Want to Belong to Jon Morrow Sometimes. Still. ey feel like everything they were and everything they knew was taken away. Eventually though. Christopher Reeve was one of those leaders. We have rules. It's called the Tribe of the Disabled. He inspired us with his e Tribes Casebook page 5 . and we know it. people that inspire us. Some of us were born into the tribe. most of us realize that the Tribe of Normal People doesn't actually exist. ere are no rules. as if being around one another could remind us that we are a member of the tribe. the Tribe of Normal People. ey choose you. we have common leaders. Some people take it hard. "Don't stare" or "Be encouraging. But the Tribe of the Disabled does exist. even without saying anything. It doesn't exist. and there's nothing you can do about it. no one wants to be a member. It's a common link between all of us. But regardless of how we arrived.
So many of us die. But you know what? I was wrong. ey don't have to be rich or clever or even desirable. Our leaders don't last long. It's about courage. For the longest time. but that's the way this tribe is. It takes courage to go beyond merely trying to survive your life and start trying to actually enjoy it.audacity. like I would be accepting my own death. We were so sad when he left us. It takes courage to look at yourself and accept your imperfections. e Tribes Casebook page 6 . and his compassion. that's all that matters. It takes courage to love yourself anyway. you also learn to accept the tribes you belong to. But do I regret being a part of it? No way! When you learn to accept yourself. it's your tribe. is tribe isn't about death. It's the most common way out of the tribe. his activism. And sometimes. It's an unusual tribe. I know. I didn't want to be a part of it. How could you complain about being in a tribe like that? It's wonderful. after all. I believed that accepting my membership would weaken me. Would I still like to be cured of my disease? Would I trade a healthy body for my membership in the Tribe? Sure I would. e fact is.
And how does this affect our interaction with our tribes? e closest I've seen to an answer lies in a case study I read about connecting to your own personal tribe. eir existence is like an involuntary process that creates social order. Our value is determined by how we compare to others in the tribe. But how do they do that? What is the first step? After posing that question to the larger group. But this can't be the only answer. what we do for work. A success or tragedy that causes people to stop and focus on what is truly important to them. water. and others do not. or by how large a tribe we can create. My observation is that successful people have learned to define their own place in the social order. e Tribes Casebook page 7 . and our hobbies are defined by association with Tribes that represent certain activities and attitudes. Like controlling their breath. Where we live. When asked to name the essential elements for survival. they have learned to transcend this involuntary process and utilize the tribe to create their desired experience within it. is is a difficult task because the value of the elements that make up a tribe will change based on the real and perceived situations the members encounter. Many people are trying to define the elements of a tribe. as anyone who has almost drowned could tell you. people usually mention things that they actively seek out like food. as some people emerge from a traumatic event better off than before it.Tribes: As Essential as Breathing Posted by Ellen Di Resta Tribes are the social equivalent to breathing. But the involuntary processes. like breathing are actually more important. at's probably why they evolved to be involuntary processes. it seems that there is usually a trigger event. the one that lives inside of you. What's interesting is that even though breathing is an involuntary process. I think this is a lot like trying to define breathing. and shelter. it can be consciously controlled. Focusing on your breath is a fundamental element in many yoga and meditation practices that ultimately enhance physical and mental wellbeing.
So. Triiibes may seem like an exception. I've been looking for good examples. Tamara Adlin I talk to a lot of folks who want to improve their websites. So instead. here are some examples: 1. and you must look to yourself to lead. or at least clever quips.. Saying 'we need community features!' is like looking at a building and saying 'it needs more concrete!' Community features. to support my argument. is is just like voluntarily taking control of your breathing. ere is an amazing community called BunSpace. I've decided that if I hear one more person say "we need to create a online community!" I may barf. BunSpace is bunny porn for bunny owners (and by the way. Of course. but I don't think it is. e point is. they can't create a community out of thin air. 2. I recently donated money to a bunny owner who I've never met and never will who owns a rescued bunny that needs surgery the owner can't afford. interactions with other tribes will take care of themselves. just fyi. Seth didn't create the hunger. great pets. And my argument is: Online community features can support a community. streaming media (remember the fuss over streaming media?) are all just fancy new pieces of the infrastructure. bunnies are incredibly funny. Community tools do not create communities.even pages for bunnies who have already died. ey are e Tribes Casebook page 8 .To paraphrase and add my own interpretation. He created the space. and we can use this energy to achieve goals far greater than if we left the leadership to someone else. but maybe we weren't sure what it was. trainable.com. AJAX. I think all of us were hungry for something.) 3. ere are some truly pathetic 'online community' features at several bank sites. ere are over 6. It's for people who own bunny rabbits as pets. Because people LOVE to hang out and chat with other people at their banks. right? But the banks simply had to add the newest fancy shiny web stuff to their sites. barfing on clients isn't always a good idea.. Once you can do that.500 bunnies and their people on there. Ideally we won't need a traumatic event to trigger this action. the idea is that in your own heart and head you are the leader.
is tribe is the followers of the Code of Fifteen – Rugby Union. Played across the globe. The Tribal Instincts of Hookers and Flankers Posted by: Bill Gemmell is tribe can hurt but bears no grudge. race or religion. stimulating the senses and spirit of those among them. Rugby has its origins in the past when William Webb Ellis "picked up the ball and ran". and they have Energy – there are no "drains" in this tribe only "radiators". He may be small in stature. ey beat the living daylights out of their opponents then share and support over free flowing beer at the bar. responsive and dynamic backs.not magical new ways to create something out of nothing. they have a Fraternity – witness the post match social aspects. a world in union. a common language. to coordinate different parts of the organisation. ere is value to us to do the same in leading our tribes and follow the Tribal Code of Fifteen. Every tribe needs its scrum half: to encourage greater effort. but the human terrier has an ambition and arrogance beyond his stature. to use the theme of the International Rugby Board. the game has become part of life for its tribe: a tribe made up of men and women. old and young. e tribes have three key characteristics: Solidarity – they share a common interest. to pass when appropriate and to take control when necessary. Who leads these tribes? e lynchpin is often the smallest man on the field – the scrum half – marshalling his forward pack to drive against the opposition and releasing the ball at the proper time to the flamboyant. ey are. with no distinction on creed. a common ethos. e Tribes Casebook page 9 .
When Technology Fails: A Language gets Born in an Online Tribe Saleh AlShebil When the internet came along and began exponentially spreading in the Arab world. It became a e Tribes Casebook page 10 . is new form of tribal net lingo began to spread like wildfire." Another example is the letter " "ﺡ. Many of the instant messengers available. the Arabic letter ""ﻉis pronounced as A'aa when used in a word and it got replaced with the number "3" since "3" looks like an inverted ""ﻉ. So the word Arabic which is written "Araby" (in Arabic sounding English) and begins with " "ﻉwas then written as "3raby. which got replaced with the number "7" (closest it could get to)." is may not sound like a big deal. but watch what happened. like the well known MSN Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger. chatting also grew with it. Whilst many Arabs began using chat and instant messaging. pronounced as ha'aa. like in the rest of the world. e Arabic language alphabet is comprised of 28 letters. While the online tribe still used the famous internet chat acronyms and used English. Some of these letters do not have an equivalent "sound" in English. Let me explain… For instance. e Arabic net lingo virus caught on to Arabic websites that even wanted their domain names to sound or "look" Arabic. Using it was not limited to chat and instant messaging but has also swelled to include any form of writing in online communities and even in mobile text messaging (sms). they still wanted to write Arabic somehow. So a word like "marhaba" (hi or welcome in Arabic) would be spelled out as "mar7aba. they faced a technological dilemma. but how? ey created a simple language of their own. So what did our online tribe do? ey began looking for numbers and other keystrokes that can somehow resemble what the real Arabic letter "looks" like. lacked the capability of writing in the Arabic language at the time. It would probably be a safe assumption to say that any Arab who is online today (especially the youth) is pretty familiar with it.
just in case you were from an outside tribe and wanted to "translate" this language you can now go to the search engine Yamli to help you out. Mobily 3lahwa. Wonderful. e Tribes Casebook page 11 . When a tribe really wants to communicate & connect…there's nothing that can stand in its way… I am now part of the Newton Tribe Marcus Galica Yesterday I received in the mail my first pair of Newtons. However. only a handful of renowned running specialty stores across the country carry them. on a pathway known as e Strand that goes from Manhattan Beach to Redondo. I willingly parted with $175 of my hard-earned cash in order to buy this pair of running shoes.and one more thing. so they seem to work as advertised. I still felt light on my feet and no soreness in my knees. even the "offline" world began using it as companies began offering products and services with names using this net lingo (e.. is is not to mention advertising of course. Oh. it was one fleeting interaction with another runner on e Strand that alerted me to Newton's Culting of Brands approach to marketing these new shoes: 1) You won't find them at your local Sports Authority..g. ey're rumored to reinforce a mid-foot strike (which is said to reduce impact on the knees. After a total distance of about 12.) I took them for my first run this afternoon."standard" language for the online Arab chatting tribe and the growing phenomenon was even studied.5 miles. Since I've been struggling with chronic knee problems. 7esabi) to appeal to the net generation tribe. Furthermore.
KOTOR – When Star Wars Tribes and Gaming Tribes Overlap Ed Welch What happens when you design a product in such a way that it appeals to individual members of two or more distinct tribes? In 2002. after about 10 miles. We're talking the Ironman crowd. and green. is particular Saturday afternoon. If you're buying a pair of these. Within this "nod" was a profound understanding: we were part of the same tribe. e game was such a big hit – it won numerous "Game of the Year Awards" in 2003 and sales for KOTOR have e Tribes Casebook page 12 . 3) ey only come in obscenely loud colors like orange. But as I approached an intensely cut-up. and we shared a "nod". I had probably passed close to 500 other runners and joggers. yellow. I noticed he was wearing bright green Newtons. triathlete-looking man. if any of you have run on e Strand before. (Or a poseur. 4) ey're $175. maybe.2) Most of the early adopters are intense triathletes. and this was my initiation. our eyes locked momentarily as we passed each other. and we immediately exchanged a hearty wave. you're serious about running. and I did not receive a single "wave". On top of the "wave". pink. At the same moment he noticed my brilliant orange pair. you typically won't receive the customary "runner's wave" that you'd get if you were someplace more remote. BioWare launched an awesome role playing game for the Xbox – Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic (aka KOTOR). our Newtons were the secret handshake no one else knew about. you'll know that because of the sheer density of runners and joggers.) What was the interaction? Well. Even though thousands of people were running on e Strand today.
it was a great game. Next time you're looking to design a new product – why not follow the lead of Bioware? Design the product for people who are already members of two or more distinct tribes – but with the potential of pulling more members from each tribe together. Before KOTOR. the people who are already members of both of these tribes (represented by the orange area) will purchase KOTOR without a second thought. Tribe A represents the Star Wars tribe. However.been huge. What was the appeal. I was a member of the Star Wars tribe but not the Gaming tribe. I've played it many times and it remains one of my all-time favorites. However. Why? Notice the Venn diagram above. is is what happened to me. Certainly. anks to KOTOR – I'm now a member of both tribes. e net result is simple. Many from the Gaming Tribe join the Star Wars Tribe and vice-versa – resulting in a tremendous boost to sales of KOTOR games. a little run down e Tribes Casebook page 13 . produced and marketed without coming close to the success of KOTOR. ink of the orange area as the center of gravity – drawing additional tribe members toward it much like a black hole. the real genius of this type of marketing is found in those areas of the Venn diagram that are outside the orange area. e union (orange area) represents all the people who are members of both the Star Wars Tribe and the Gaming Tribe. why was this game such a big hit? Certainly. Tribe B represents the Gaming tribe. You might hit a home run. Traditional Taekwondo Bodo Albrecht Chun's Black Belt Academy is a bit like your favorite neighborhood pub: not fancy or glamorous at all. many "great games" have been designed. ink of each set (A & B) as a tribe.
Still. Insistence on these paired with the encouragement by everbody else to discover and raise your personal limits make the experience so special – there are universal goals (the curriculum) but there is also the goal of helping you to have more confidence in your physical and mental abilities. Removing all elements of non goal-oriented individuality and challenging people's skills and talents is the most e Tribes Casebook page 14 . Why? It all starts on the outside. people of literally all ages enjoy going there instead of watching TV at home. After a few sets of crunches or pushups sweat is the big equalizer. Regardless. when you enter you feel strangely comfortable. is environment filters out people quickly who are not truly subscribing to the spirit of "traditional" Taekwondo. It is where you leave your life behind. e only sign of distinction is your belt. It defines your status within the group as a sign not only of personal achievement but also of obligation as a universal advisor to all lower belts. your car… nothing matters anymore. e color of your skin obviously stays with you but if there is one place around here where it doesn't matter it is this one. It also eliminates areas of friction between tribe members. everyone wears a similar uniform. your income. it all stays outside. Inside. Your job. jewelry. you have to be ready to demonstrate you deserve your belt at all times. one who doesn't require his tribe to do anything that he is not prepared to do himself. a little less air conditioned than you would prefer. Other than in your pub an hour of gruesome workout lies ahead of you. Nothing is worse and more embarrassing for a higher belt student than not to be able to answer a curriculum-related question. ere is a lesson to be learned from Chun's Black Belt Academy: a goal-oriented tribe is better off in an environment controlled and managed by a masterful leader. Watches (cheap or expensive). ere is little bonus for seniority alone. e focus is strictly on acquiring and perfecting skills and knowledge. Strict etiquette is mandatory and so is discipline paired with conscience for the consequences of your actions.actually. and passing that knowledge on to fellow students.
Ugg boots. surfers seem to carry the characteristics of a tribe. ey have a uniform (in the water. T-shirts and Hawaiian shirts). Consider: Dude (claimed by other groups as well) Stoked Green Room barrels goofy-foot amped pumping Betty brahs aggro bogus worked And a hundred other terms. ey have their own language. work is secondary. Surfers—Where There's A Wave.efficient way to accomplish any goal. A great leader will allow for social bonds outside the Do-Jan on top of that. Vans or flip-flops. a wetsuit. (ink the e Tribes Casebook page 15 . jams or baggies. out of it. ey gather in numbers when there is a swell. ere's a general sense that when the surf is clean. There's A Will Tom Bentley From many angles. perhaps board shorts.
Sometimes there's a leader by default on any given day—the best surfer. and is out on the board. the behavior of my old surfer friends came to mind. ere are levels: On a good day. the surfer that rises at 5:00 am. and my closest adolescent friends were surfers. it's a good day just to be in the water. my wave" hostility to fellow surfers that seems antithetical to real leadership. to paddle. before leaving for work. coffee cups in hand. to check the waves. the timing between sets. the surf tribe makes a simple connection with their leader. all still avid surfers. I realized: eir leader is the ocean. I'd occasionally go down too. the leader moves them to ecstasy. waiting for the swell in the empty dawn. since few tourists came to the island. in contact. I grew up in a Southern California beach town. Other times. In thinking of the notion of tribes without leaders. But one of the central constituents of a tribe seemed to be missing: a leader. demanding their best. ey connect with their leader. But that default is sometimes determined by a "my beach. Many years later. a potential swell. propelling them in great gouts of pulsing power. gobbles the PopTart. e Tribes Casebook page 16 . e sea is a living thing. Never having been a strong swimmer. I lived on a tiny Micronesian island for a year. it's true. into a house a block from the beach with two of those buddies and a third housemate. ey shared a ritual. Early mornings. Surfers gather in groups. and sometimes nobody spoke. globally influential. powerful. a pulling on the mental strings of possibility. and pretty blind without my glasses. he essentially had his own private surf break. or just to sit and contemplate. a place where the American dentist told me he lived and worked there just to surf. moody. More surfers than you might think go out even when the waves are trivial.) Surfing road trips are legend—movies from Endless Summer to icker than Water reveal that surfers will go to great lengths (and many countries) to find a wave. In remembering that. a totally blown-out day. I was often the solitary dork who hung out on shore while my buddies surfed. but there's also a lone wolf element in surfing. they would all walk to the beach. I moved to Santa Cruz. Watching the waves was a meditation. punishing them when they fall short. On a great day. For some surfers. California. they would excitedly discuss the lefts or rights of the break. the wind."tell the teacher we're surfing" line from the Beach Boys song.
ose are the ones willing to give a lot to be the first to lay their hands on any new product from Apple (apparently also including couple of days of standing in a line at their nearest Apple retailer). Cowabunga. Others. All of them are of course genuinely interested in Apple's products and the most zealous and passionate ones naturally want to be on the cutting edge of what they regard as defining their way of live. and even that – with such commitment – who knows).) Surfers take their cues from the ocean. To the same effect they might as well run the streets cheerfully shouting "I love Apple!" for three days straight instead of standing in that line (besides them finally being the first ones to touch the new shiny whatever-they-are-waiting-for-in-that-line. evolving. sometimes searching its face for meaning. mysterious. Passion appears to be contagious. sometimes just worshipfully staring. deep. e truly zealous tribesmen get back home and start posting videos of their new baby on YouTube and spreading their joy wherever they can boosting the sales. the yet undecided more curious and the lines even longer. And like many great leaders. Having such a tribe of real followers who show candid affection for Apple's products is obviously a recommendation by itself. ese people show that they truly believe in every single product Apple launches. And of course. e Tribes Casebook page 17 . And it doesn't end here.(ey'll always come back for more. already convinced fellow tribesmen get more envious. the ocean is mutable. dude! Can a fake passion build a tribe? Michal Sobiegraj Over years Apple earned themselves a very vibrant tribe of customers having strong feelings for the brand. demand and scarcity even more and making themselves feel even more special.
And to encourage them to build their products with true value that is forward looking rather than worry about how to compete with the biggest and the best head on. so that the product appeared hip the day before its launch. people standing in one of the lines didn't even try to appear enthusiastic when asked by a reporter about why they are standing in the line. And it's even more so given the scale and outreach of the phenomenon. e Tribes Casebook page 18 . And here we are in Poland where some time before the announced launch of the iPhone 3G in the Orange network lines of young people started to form next to Orange stores. just maybe. the genuine charismatic Apple zealots. maybe their enthusiasm and passion would bring more people to the lines. Inside an Arab Tribe. e goal of the induction was to share with the group what's going on in the world of screen media to get them to think screen content vs traditional TV programming. no. ey looked so unsure of what to say that I don't think there was anyone naïve enough to believe their story. Not that there is not enough to go round. Did You Know? Nadiiine Toukan A couple weeks ago we were engaged in a talk to a group setting up a broadcast project in Jordan. To add an insult to injury. if Orange hired the real fans. Quite an opposite effect. It didn't take long before a piece of news surfaced saying that all the people in the lines were actors hired by Orange in effort to heat up the air. turned out to be far too small an effort. Instead the message they gave was this: "we are so unsure about the sales and the product itself that we need to pay people to pretend to be passionate about it". One may even say it's remarkable. And the funny thing is that maybe. It's just about not being able to wait a single day longer.It's truly unusual to see people standing in a line voluntarily for literally days over a privilege to be one of the first. Apparently Apple doesn't have a sufficiently dedicated tribe in Poland and trying to just fake it by staging the situation at the very last moment. Why? Simply because there was not enough demand and not enough real fanatics. Get that: New Zealanders regard themselves lucky to be the first to welcome a new day at such times. Obviously it didn't work.
"oh please. there are good exceptions to tribal practices as well. it is seen as an impediment to moving forward. Energized. I shared a little tribe question among this community and like how it's evolving. e Tribes Casebook page 19 . A good mix. Younger generations stop themselves from making new choices because of tribal pressures. Safe. and the amazing possibilities that can happen thru tribes. we've had enough of that". In some groups. e system is abused by tribal impositions at every level from the lowest going up. I had a playful thought in my head and I started to talk tribal. Tribal law is practiced and often rules in what seems like injustice. Empowered. I said that the project has the opportunity to create and lead a new tribe of screen content consumers and makers in Jordan and among Arab audiences. Communities impede their own progress because of tribal feuds. Hiring in public and private sector orgs suffers from influences of tribal entitlement. And now here I am. I was surprised at who it was who said that. and the technologies out there. A 60something TV veteran from a prominent Jordanian family/tribe immediately jumped in saying.Sitting around the table were ages that spanned three generations. Of course I'm generalizing. We have abused 'tribal' and muted the philosophy of the tribe for so long that we don't believe in the good of it anymore. Excited. Jordan's social and political structure is quite tribal. but I wasn't shocked it came up. representing a wide spectrum of Jordanians. embedded in this tribe. stay away from the tribal thing. It dawned on me that collectively as Jordanians we seem to have forgotten the good traits of tribes. But the negative connotation of tribal is at the forefront here these days. the emergence of a new type of media maker/consumer. We were not getting thru on the convergence and collaboration part and they continued to dismiss it as a marginal fad. But we were losing them when we started to talk about citizen media.
British sweet shops. a connection. ocean and beaches. Affectionately known to the locals as 'poms'. they still have a need to connect with each other. online forums. Over the past five years there has been a 300% increase in the numbers of British arriving down under. Bernadette Jiwa A staggering 83.they are welcomed with open arms into a labour force struggling for skilled workers. In some suburbs the 'poms' make up 20% of the population. a familiar tribe. importing "proper chocolate" from overseas. So as we develop this screen project I'm thinking about how to bring the tribe back into modern day tribal Jordan within some of the work we're doing. 'Poms' love having a swimming pool in the back yard and throwing another shrimp on the barbie.I think there's a huge transformational opportunity to bring that back.000 British residents have migrated to Australia over the past ten years. Having migrated for a 'better' life. Migrating Tribes.two hundred and fifty rain free days a year can't be all bad). I think we need a new kind of Jordanian tribe for our journey forward. ey enjoy the proximity to the river. A look at the demography of where they settle throws up some interesting facts. Australia has a world renowned reputation for delivering a lifestyle second to none.whingeing-pom. 'Poms' like to huddle.ousands of miles from home they seek each other out. pubs. (Well. We have to find the right stories to lead to that. where a 12% average is the norm.com/ e Tribes Casebook page 20 . and even the latest glossy publication http://www. Whole industries are thriving and expanding to service the specific needs of their community.
Gymnastics . some important questions can be considered.Baseball .As the demography of a place changes and the dynamics of its communities alter.Golf .Soccer .Track .Cross-Country . new land? How can they be enabled to make great decisions? Where can they find the inside track information which the locals have? Who can facilitate their connection to each other and their new community? As a new tribes evolve. Boys varsity sports were: .Basketball .Tennis .Wrestling e Tribes Casebook page 21 . The Taste of Mud Jule Kucera 1972—the summer before my Junior year in high school. so new opportunities emerge.Football . Girls varsity sports were going to be offered for the first time. What are the specific needs of these migrant communities in a strange.Bowling .
We broke all the rules: . our running backs powered through the grime. ey said we should be patient. "Come. Juniors girls powder-puff football game into a varsity sport. that we should support the boys teams.We wondered what sports would be added for us (I kept my fingers crossed for volleyball).We practiced every day (previous teams had practiced once a week—maybe) .Basketball .Softball Bowling? ey said they only wanted to start with a few sports.Bowling . what mattered was who you were on the field (the two starting running backs were a cheerleader and a jock and all they had in common were legs that were built for power and speed) . We organized spontaneously.We were relentless in our support for one another and in our drive to win (we played without pads and with yellow flags at out waists. e list was announced: . We wanted to win. we went back to our study halls and our boyfriends and our cliques. We were a temporary tribe—a tribe who learned that the taste of mud could also be the taste of victory." Collectively and without an official declaration we decided to turn the annual Seniors vs. We didn't ease up until the score hit 48 – 7. that more would be added.It didn't matter who you were off the field. Play. brief conversations with girls I had never talked to.Everybody was tested at every position and was placed where they were most effective (the tall skinny girl became not an end but a defensive tackle—where she could slip around larger opponents) . ey said there were no sports for the fall because it was too soon to be ready.We recruited two smart football-playing Senior boys to be our coaches (they knew football and they knew the competition) . Our quarterback (the only girl in a family with five older brothers) maintained her deadly accuracy. e Tribes Casebook page 22 . and our defense kept throwing yellow flags to the ground. We played in the mud and it ground in our teeth. I'd like to say we stayed a tight-knit tribe but we didn't. we viewed our bruises as badges of honor) On the day of the game it rained.
as far as possible.even if apparently to our disadvantage: Radical! To take the largest possible view of any situation . One response to plans I found useful was "It's a bit boring". To speak the Truth . flexible and continuously changing structures. We were. To encourage unconventional thinking. So it would be a company that I really. very successful partly through the cunning plan of being in the right place at the right time.including the customer. So when setting up a software company serving the UK NHS. Not telling them what to do – but pushing them to go farther. the patient. is was helped by everyone working from homes all over the UK linked by phone and email.Growing a Tribal Software Company with Integrity Mike Bennett What had driven me up the wall with many companies I'd worked for was their lack of values / ethics / morals. Some of our basic ways of working were (extracted from our Values Statement): We are a Network. it puts e Tribes Casebook page 23 . I needed to know what was going on and we'd have some meetings – but the initiatives were mostly theirs. I aimed to consciously design the values of the company and. empowerment and generally behaving like proper human beings: is helped to provoke people into doing new things. the environment. the way it would operate. We beat the world's largest healthcare software company (from the USA) but um… lost to Europe's largest insurance company. self-organisation. in fact. really wanted to work for. We grew to 30+ employees and nearly won a huge NHS computer project (NHS Direct) in partnership with Hewlett-Packard to provide the hardware. society. the Universe and ourselves: If you design a business model and software that meets the needs of everyone in the best way. not a Hierarchy: People's job really was eir Job.
e Visionary and also the person who keeps it all together by ensuring we're mostly going in the same direction.) People responded amazingly to all of this. To produce outstanding software that makes customers say "WOW!": (anks. What would the company have to look like to attract people trying to live at the highest level of spiritual integrity? Well. For the right people it was a great environment. And we could change direction as a company very fast – far faster than our competitors (who were all huge)! You do need to recruit the right people – they need to be happy working without close supervision and to relish freedom – not be afraid of it. the 5 person self-organising support team were on a demanding 24 / 7 schedule with a guaranteed 30 minute response – and took pride that they were achieving under 5 minute response times. For example. Part of the background that I brought to this was lots of time in various spiritual groups – and I wanted to use that experience in designing and running the company.you way ahead. You only actually need one person to set it up – provided that they are in charge and don't have to negotiate with others who are more concerned about the money or have other values (like wanting power for instance). ey were committed! Totally. values not orders. and they gave far more to the company than they would have to a normal company. I found that the role of the MD / tribal leader is coach more than CEO. people development not " e Decider". we didn't in fact recruit anyone like that – but it still set a standard of behaviour within the company. e Tribes Casebook page 24 . Tom Peters. To understand everything from first principles: It's often things that we take for granted that obstruct great ideas.
setting an example. e Tribes Casebook page 25 . communicating through peaceful assembly. or cultural boundaries . Black for everyone (solidarity in mourning lost cyclists). slowly and peacefully. national. on the 3rd Wednesday in May. at the same time that have the same voice. but also those either no longer able.The Ride of Silence CoCreatr Bernd Nurnberger Every year. Led by Chris Phelan. e tribe is tied together by common elements of tragic history. With over 200 locations in the US alone. When news reports show more than the customary 3-4 cyclists the local community is used to seeing on the road and report that there [are] over 300 locations WORLD WIDE going on the same day. it's a mass demonstration with a purpose . is is beyond bumper sticker marketing. And that's the point. the power of what we do when we take part in the R of S.beyond state. it is the hope and faith the our society will sit up and take notice. getting as many people on bikes as possible. sharing its story and growing in numbers – going.to raise awareness of cyclists' legal right to the road and motorists' legal obligation to share the road. not only of those riding. In the words of Chris Phelan. it is becoming harder and harder for the motoring public to ignore us. and join in by demonstrating their mission at the same place. Armbands are strongly encouraged. or those no longer with us to ride because a motorist-on-cyclist accident. from his blog post Let the Silence Roar: 'And there is the meat of it. virally. ey share the will to improve conditions. same time and with same means of transportation every year. cyclists worldwide join in a silent slow-paced ride in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways. Red for those who have been injured by motorists. It's a somber and moving example of a tribe going slow. is has been happening since 2003.
descending on Edinburgh for the Golden Oldies World Rugby Festival. And that's world wide. Rugby Union. the Old Vulgarians. at gets news coverage. etc. what we look like when we actually get together. and intent. Mark your calendar now. year. the Moscow Lads. Others the Traverse Bay Blues. ey call themselves the Grafton Big River Bullrouts. Our event is held on the 3rd Wednesday of May. this is akin to our Memorial Day. Some answer to the Frankfurter Bembelschwenker. Ye Old Dogs of Wanneroo. kid bikes.) I can appreciate people wanting to simplify their calendar. We have this one hour the entire year to show the public our strength in numbers. We have had 3. 2008.000 players from 18 countries. e Tribes Casebook page 26 . troops of followers of the oval ball. Fractured with events at several times during the month. slower. those older. But. And.. Every calendar has that date. Rucks and Mauls Bill Gemmell ey invaded on Monday. but without the bar-b-que sales. to Te Puke Mutineers and the Washington Poltroons. e event loses its focus. (For 2009.it's not about convenience.. ese are the Golden Oldies. or worse. 3. this event is also the largest free volunteer run event without cash flow. or leaner. is not in any of our best interests. no budget. racing bikes. faster.' at's a tribe.Nationally. It's important to us that all the locations ride at the same time to make the above points.000 here in Dallas at the Ride Of Silence.. it will be May 20. with mountain bikes. just in case the powers that be are concerned this is about profits or money.
And they have Energy – there are no relational "drains" in this tribe only "radiators": stimulating the senses and spirit of those among them. a belief in Fun and Friendship sustained by membership credentials of games long gone by. ey have a Fraternity – at the social events. American parties with Japanese. I was there. ey have three key characteristics. German drinks with French. organisers and comrades. e town will be quiet when they leave. Solidarity – they share a common interest. says a 62 year old half-back from Vancouver. But their legacy will remain. a world in union. a common ethos. participants. I know. "But the young guys say if I'm at the line. I moved among them and was made welcome. in the minds of visitors. a common language. Shared tribal (rugby) songs are chanted together. Aussie dances with Kiwi. Long live the Golden Oldies! e Tribes Casebook page 27 .ese are not young men – the name gives it away – minimum entry age is a mere forty years old but many key players are in their sixties. Anglo jigs with Scot. as the International Rugby Board states. they'll pass to me to score!" So far he's scored a few! But what makes these men lay their bodies on the line several years after hanging up their boots competitively? What make their spouses travel from the other side of the world to a wet Scottish Summer? What sustains their enthusiasm and tribal form? ey represent. "I'm not quite as fast these days". energising the surrounding environment.
WHEN: Usually once a month. 20 slides for 20 seconds each.. depending on the city. or an unconference. Moderate entrance fee (~ 10$). About 10-14 presentations per night. e 6:40 time requirement suits on-line video very well.Pecha Kucha Night CoCreatr Bernd Nurnberger WHAT: Live computer-aided presentation. Tokyo TRIBAL TIES: Face-to-face socializing through attending an edutainment event.com/presentationzen/2007/09/pecha-kucha-. by twittering. straightforward time control and no commercial pitch allowed. Metacafe offers 420 videos tagged "pecha kucha". some are labeled affiliate with YouTube which lists about 429 so tagged.g. It could be called an art exhibition on fast forward. started in 2003. Pecha Kucha Night ® is a registered trademark. e rigid presentation and timeboxing requirements 'yield the floor' to each presenter and support the audience's attention span while offering relaxing breaks by the restauranty ambience and side activity for participants by being connected e. Watchers find place and time from a tagcloud. MISSION: Offer more people the chance to show their creative work to an interested audience. Keep presentations concise and interest level up. WHERE: More than one hundred cities world wide. Common challenge in simple prescribed presentation format. plus an unknown number of corporate settings. LEADER: Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham (Klein Dytham architecture)..wikipedia. REFERENCES: http://www. 6:40 uninterrupted.pecha-kucha. Share while respecting courteous limits. EXAMPLES: Pecha Kucha Training Bite by spiraltraining (one of her 20 slides shows the purple cow!) e Tribes Casebook page 28 . usually with projection screen in a defined timebox. Presenters register per internet. INSIGHTS: PKN offers a forum to sharers and seekers of wisdom to find each other in a defined setting and timeframe.org/wiki/Pecha_Kucha http://www.presentationzen. More audience autonomy in a teaching setting.org http://en.
Full disclosure: I am not affiliated with anyone in the tribe studied here and have not participated in any Pecha Kucha Night or event. Boaters Laura Zavelson Are there any boaters out there? Adventurous and independent. there's always someone there ready to throw me a line. How NOT To Use Powerpoint By Comedian Don McMillan Compiled from publicly available sources as indicated. And when I see a boat getting ready to move. e Tribes Casebook page 29 . this tribe values and cherishes individual freedom on the water. yet doesn't think twice about helping another member during critical moments.Pecha Kucha: High Impact Conferencing by Jack Powers Innovation by InnovationFish (corporate setting) Pecha Kucha Night Vol. Often there are unseen currents. Here is the first "PK lite" presentation I ever watched. on-line: Lee Lefever on Travel Technology at Ignite Seattle . I'm always willing to stop whatever I'm doing and stand by just in case. unpredictable wind and. a whole bunch of other boats. by CoCreatr Bernd Nurnberger No blog.39 "bintabon" in Japanese with English on the slides. no hyperlink. For most boaters. of course. critical moments happen trying to get in or out of the dock. appears on Garr Reynold's Presentation Zen blog. It doesn't matter whether it's my home marina or not. just fun. It never ceases to amaze me that whenever I need to come in or cast off.
race. the storm rages. what is his name. If they need me. and Ethiopians. Instead." It is a small. Inside the hospital. somebody catches it. Christians. there is a hail of nails. e only expectation would be a word of thanks. If they don't.. wave. And of course the knowledge that the next time you were navigating rough waters there would be someone waiting to help you. nationality. Bombs explode. is is the most important thing. When a patient comes to the trauma unit. I just mosey on over towards their slip and stand there. What would it mean to be in business if we started acting more like boaters? What if we were always ready to share local knowledge? What if we all kept on the lookout to throw a line when things got tricky for someone else? We could be watching and ready at the most critical moments. e patients are Orthodox Jews. and this doctor from South Africa or America. Dr Hasham Rushi. said. I wait until they're safely in. I grab a line. Unlike most storms. Most of the time.It's not a big deal. "Entering Hadassah [Hospital in Jerusalem] I don't think that I am Palestinian.We have patients. Arabs. but the doctors treat them with no thought for religion. ey are not concerned about the fighting outside. Neither will yield. everybody says thanks and you go about your day. and special teams search for each fragment. to give it a decent burial. you don't even introduce yourselves. Somebody throws out a line. How can you bring your tribes together? e Tribes Casebook page 30 . there is no wind or rain. and this doctor an Israeli. And then just help.. I ask which part of the body is injured…to be prepared to call other doctors from other specializations. or tribe. a doctor speaking at a forum in Vienna in 2005. We must give them the best treatment. and go back to my boat. the halls are quiet. It's just the way the tribe does things. only where the patient has been hurt and what care they need. I don't ask from where he is. suicide bombs. In the Eye of the Hurricane Jodi Kaplan Outside. what is his religion. bodies are blown up. Each insists God promised it to them. everyday miracle in the midst of chaos. and rubber bullets as two tribes clash over control of the land.
and basketball on cracked courts with netless rims. We were everywhere.though I continued to make friends in college. in my neighborhood. We never matured beyond the juvenile phase of hurling e Tribes Casebook page 31 . e funny thing is . Spain.Awon Boys Club. We ran track and chased girls with equal vim and vigor. simply means " e Boys". We learned to drive. by the time we got to University. We grew up together. We played barefoot soccer. We went to secondary (middle+high) school together.we insult each other almost daily on an e-mail list. & Generational Tribalism Bolaji Oyejide "Awon (ah-wohn) Boys" in my native language (Yoruba). I still haven't been able to get rid of Awon Boys! On the contrary . at was 15 years ago.. who grew up together in Nigeria. in professional circles. On Mighty Igor. Got grounded. at work. Played pranks. We went to primary (elementary) school together. Together. But conditions in the country led most of us to scatter to the four winds. England.. e United States. Awon (ah-wohn) Boys is a group of 10 friends.
I was one of the first to get married. My son has about 40. e Tribes Casebook page 32 . And as seasons started to change. And "Adeniyi" (Priceless Crown). Sue us. who else we might see. So for each childbirth the group seeks to unite again. Dare I say it? Like excited little school girls. But I digress. But they were there. or a mutual friend gets married. Grown men. each child has a naming ceremony.biting commentary at each other to show affection. we all excitedly discuss who's coming. I have 17 names myself. getting so worked up over seeing their buddies. what to do. as people started to get married. In true Yoruba fashion. Bearing names like "Mandela". we started to see each other again! Every time one of us. Now we're all married. ey all had the usual jokes at that. Back to Awon Boys. And all attendees get to participate by naming the child. Mighty Igor. one of "Awon Boys" decided to name my son… My only son… After a childhood wrestling icon from Russia. And starting to have kids. Well. Ironic.
And smilingly indulge "Awon Boys". (Why do I hang out with these guys. again?) rough it all. Here's to tribal traditions. Securing the uniform tightly around his waist was a brand new white belt. Multiple Leaders in a Tribe? Ed Welch It was the first day of class . My Mom and her best friends from secondary school call themselves the "Queen's School Girls".Rules are rules though. With children. separated by space and time. Mighty Igor. my childhood.) ey come to these same weddings that we go to.Timothy was quite nervous. and that of my one year old son. He was dressed in a uniform given to him by the class instructor. You know . (at was the name of their school. ey were mostly first generation Western educated. So my child is named. and went to the same secondary schools and Universities. And the ties that bind. despite the distance of geography and time. Awon Boys Club stands in the gap between my parents' childhood. Bound together by common experience. His e Tribes Casebook page 33 . eir boys are now grown men. among other things.our parents all knew each other. 3 generations of a tribe. Timothy stood toward the back of the class. we remain close as blood brothers.
Although the school is built around a formal leadership structure – it also has an informal leadership structure ." From that moment on.which is represented by different colored belts. those students of higher rank are not only in class to learn but to teach and lead others as well.offering tremendous benefits to all of the tribal members. he's given more responsibility and placed in a greater position to benefit the tribe. Galaxy e Tribes Casebook page 34 . roughout your life.eyes wandered around the room – admiring those students wearing belts that were yellow. As he learns to master more skills – he'll rise in rank . Like Timothy. Oklahoma offers an opportunity to be a part of tribe where almost everyone is a student. As he rises in rank. roughout the years . blue. we're all here to help. when a student is a beginner – he's given a white belt which designates his rank as a beginning learner. green. a student standing in front of Timothy turned to him and said: "You'll do fine Timothy. Just as Timothy discovered. how often have you been in a position similar to Timothy? Perhaps many tribes could benefit from an informal leadership structure such as this? Galaxy Zoo – The Tribe That Looks Out For Us Anne McCrossan ere are hundreds of thousands of millions of stars in our galaxy and hundreds of millions of galaxies in our universe. red and black. learning and leading. Just watch me for now and I'll help you any way I can. It was at that moment. Timothy felt much better about his decision to be in this class. He wondered if he made a mistake – perhaps he shouldn't have asked to be a part of this group? Most of the other students seemed to know so much already. Studying Tae Kwon Do at Burt's Black Belt in Stillwater. a teacher and a leader.Timothy progressed through the ranks of the school – teaching. He was able to give to others just as they had given to him on that first day of school and beyond. He wondered how he would fit in to this class as the environment was quite intimidating.
some are blue. From these shapes and by studying these features. has its own very particular story to tell. some are shaped like spirals. unique relationships that are being formed individually between astronomers and the stars and galaxies they study that is brought to the overall e Tribes Casebook page 35 . some are red ellipticals. Astronomy is a science with a sufficiently high ambition to mean that amateurs can. it's not just a question of getting many heads to look at a vast amount of data. Each galaxy.Zoo is the tribe that looks out at them. some are elongated. for us. With an ambition on this scale. play a very useful part. and it's these stories that astronomers want to discover and bring to life. Galaxy Zoo is an initiative that's brought in the amateur astrologer in their droves to study the universe as a collective exercise. astronomers are learning a great deal about the world beyond us. and for one another. each star in every galaxy. e scale of the task would simply be impossible to achieve without one. It's an effort that needs a tribe. Galaxy Zoo has found that different galaxies have different shapes. Like tribes themselves in a way. is is something that people do also because they care. With hundreds and thousands if not millions of galaxies to look at. there's something for each person to specialize in and take ownership of. and do.
quite some achievement – led by Professor Bob Nichol at Portsmouth University. It's this approach that's created the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Amateurs have always done astronomy. e Tribes Casebook page 36 .000 classifications an hour. monitored the planets and explored the sky. Have ambition and let your amateur tribe in. supernovi. containing 200 million objects of which half are galaxies . ere's a whole set of galaxies that look like roses. there's even enough different shaped galaxies to make up all the letters of the alphabet! A Dutch schoolteacher and amateur astrologer. a full digital map of the sky in the northern hemisphere. think big. e message is this: If you want your tribe to grow. so called because it's shaped like a penguin. ere's a whole new world out there.whole of the tribe. Hanny Van Arkel. is collective tribal effort has found 'the penguin galaxy'. a galaxy 600 million light years away that defies classification because it's a galaxy without stars and will be the subject of the next exploration of the Hubble telescope because it's so fascinating. found the Vorweerp galaxy. ey've discovered comets. Galaxy Zoo has brought all this together and within 72 hours of launching was doing 70.
He even told me stories about these friends and their experience with the Prius. Although I can't exactly describe how it felt – those people not driving a Prius looked at us differently than those who were driving a Prius. at least half of our conversation that day was about his Toyota Prius. While on a road trip with him one day – I noticed him making a comment about every other Prius we saw. that someone had parked their Prius beside his. he did join this tribe and he'll be a member as long as he owns one. only to discover. he would park at a restaurant. as he quickly learned. According to him. Dad never intended to join or even be a part of the Prius tribe. He wasn't really looking to "go green" but he did want a new toy and better fuel economy. Often. is line was much deeper than simply owning and driving different types of automobiles.The Prius Tribe Ed Welch A couple of years ago. Talking to him further – he named some friends who also owned one. Interestingly and even more amusing . Additionally. He also noticed other Prius owners approaching him (total strangers) and speaking to him as if they had been friends for years. other people (those not owning a Prius) began to relate to him as "one of those people". my father purchased a new Toyota Prius. there was clearly a line of differentiation between our interactions with Prius owners and non-Prius owners. Certainly. e Tribes Casebook page 37 . He didn't realize it at the time – but he was joining the Prius Tribe. as he was leaving. It was interesting to notice the way other people looked at us that day while we were in his Prius. It was as if the non-Prius owners were on the outside looking in and the Prius owners were looking at us like we were "one of them".he began to park beside other Prius vehicles in parking lots. However.
and demoralized. It's a three-day meeting (at company expense) designed for high-level executives to play together. cranky. smiling. "It's not just about playing golf. but the dot com crash has hurt revenues badly. e tribe's members were dedicated and hard-working. and the sailing. ere have been five rounds of layoffs (with two more to come). and make deals. e CEO stood up to give his speech. and tanned. bacon. at 8:30 AM. he was rested. e staff was tired. Departments with conferences that had attracted 500 or 1. the breakfast buffet featured scrambled eggs.000 people are struggling to sign up 50. He described the event in great detail: the gourmet food. He said. He named some of the high-powered people who were there and talked about all the fun they'd just had. e staff cuts have meant that everyone is working twice or three times as hard. fresh pastries. the parties. He'd just come back from his annual invitation-only event at his home in Boca Raton. and the meeting is early. not at them. Now. someone talking to them. network. it's about doing business. sausages. it was a few bagels and coffee. How do you treat your tribe? e Tribes Casebook page 38 . Event registration has plummeted. A year earlier. Unlike the employees. and freshly squeezed juice." OUCH!! Good thing nobody in the room had a shotgun handy. ey needed encouragement and leadership in hard times. Attendance is required. with workloads doubling or tripling.The Ten Words That Can Kill Your Tribe Jodi Kaplan Picture a cold February morning: time for the monthly staff breakfast at a marketing association. Business had been booming a year ago. Florida.
Out of perhaps thirty unmet needs just one was made easier to meet by losing Rod. the ideal of loving what they do. Rod was gone. Rod died the next day. After seeking professional guidance and following much soul searching. she cried her heart out for the past she'd missed and the future she'd lost. e Tribes Casebook page 39 . She was held less not more. Remembering all the times she had been offered love by this wonderful man and rejected it. earn the extra income for school fees or become a dance partner. Patty had a long time to review that list. Patty realized that marriage wasn't about his needs or her needs it was about loving and being loved.What's your why? Bernadette Jiwa Why do leaders choose to lead? Perhaps the promise of fame or fortune. Nobody showed up to mow the lawn. now after Rod's death Patty realized that receiving love was something that she made happen not him. Patty was frustrated in a failing thirteen year marriage. maybe pure survival or perceived destiny. Patty read him her list of unmet needs and suggested a divorce. Only one! Patty was now free to move the drinking glasses next to the sink. is is the story of a why. She had a long list of things her chronically ill husband needed to change to make the marriage work. Patty had thought that she would receive more love when her husband gave more. but the list remained.
We sit there every day in winter. closest to the heater.assumelove. e Tribes Casebook page 40 . What's yours? CASE STUDY:'Regulars' Bernadette Jiwa We stroll past the. She is followed by a tribe who are struggling in unhappy marriages and who want things to be better. We don't have to crane our necks.com offer resources to help couples overcome their difficulties. sign over to table nine. Patty also reviews useful literature and runs two marriage tele classes a month. Patty has a why.enjoybeingmarried. Assume Love http://www.com and Enjoy being married http://www."please wait to be seated".at was the day Patty chose to become a leader. She is making a difference. reaching out to couples in difficulty through her blog and newsletter. trying to make eye contact with the new waitress.
Subtle changes over time. ey arrive without being ordered. We only buy a couple of drinks a day. We reciprocate good mornings with other 'regulars'.com PURPLE COW http://www. WAR CRIES & WAR PAINT Bernadette Jiwa WAR CRIES THINK DIFFERENT http://www.sethgodin. We're all here so early and so often.apple. We leave to start our day. a knowing nod. A combination of smiles and brief exchanges.lancearmstrong. We feel part of this place. Our secret handshake.David's got it covered. We don't linger on weekdays and are early at weekends. I'm not sure when it happened. at's why we're 'regulars'. It doesn't have to be the best coffee in town. before the visiting hoards arrive for their pancake stacks.com e Tribes Casebook page 41 . We're 'regulars'. Because David cares about much more than just selling coffee.com/purple/ LIVE STRONG http://www. We're passionately loyal to this place. feeling it's begun on a high. Why? We can't explain. It's become a part of us.
visa.freehugscampaign.com RE IMAGINE http://www.biz BAN BOREDOM http://www.html NO PAPER http://nopaper.htm BE FABULOUS http://www.html?retcountry=1 LIVE RICHLY http://www.com FREE HUGS http://www.html FOREVER BETTER http://www.com BORN AUTHENTIC http://www.wrangler.com/eknec/PageQuerier.com e Tribes Casebook page 42 .htm TRUSTED EVERYWHERE http://www.thesimpsons.kelloggs.com/global/default.com FLY CHEAPER http://www.aspx?RefUrl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.com%2fTemplates%2fRedirectToGateway.guinness.lleytonhewitt.mini.miele.com/en-US/default.com/bios/bios_family_homer.RhYear= FOR LIFE http://www.com/mini_worldwide/mini_worldwide.kodak.jhtml?pq-path=2/6868&.com/reimagine/ WAR PAINT DO MORE http://www.aspx%3fNRMODE%3dPublished %26NRNODEGUID%3d%257b7892FE09-EC41-4F5B-A3369EAC47569C2F%257d%26NRORIGINALURL%3d%252f%26NRCACHEHINT%3dGuest&.BrandId=SO&.SHARE MOMENTS http://www.RhCountry=&.ryanair.com/mini_worldwide/mini_worldwide.htm THEY'RE GRREAT http://www._requestid=6003 COME ON http://www.pqlocale=en_AU&.aspx BAN BOREDOM http://www.com/Pages/Gateway-enrow.lego.duracell.aspx GO BEYOND http://www.citi.tompeters.moet.volvo.com/group/volvosplash-global/en-gb PLAY MORE http://www.com/site/EN/ PURE GENIUS http://www2.com NEVER TRY http://www.com/globalgateway/gg_selectcountry.com/domain/index.uk/products/Frosties/Cereal/Frosties.co.Lang=enrow&.mini.landrover.guinness.
e Tribes Casebook page 43 .chevron.%7Eck=geo ANYTHING'S POSSIBLE http://w3.com DEFY OBSTACLES http://www. So my task was to take a group of budding freelancers and give them some knowledge of the real world. I was asked to teach a design course at a local college.com Triple Exponential Smoothers Paul Durban A few years back.com/index.porsche.INSPIRED LIVING http://www.com/tai/ EAT FRESH http://world.com HELLO BOYS http://www.au/app/Colgate/AU/HomePage.wonderbra.ap.au/www-holden/ HUMAN ENERGY http://www.colgate.aspx?CC=AUS FEEL FREE http://www.ea.mitsubishi-motors. I was told by the dean that the students needed a reality check.aircanada.l=en&.com/content/default.com/tai/ YOU RULE http://www.cms DEFY PHYSICS http://www.com/index.com.eftel.com/Countries/frmMainPage.com PURELY YOU http://www1.com GO BETTER http://www.toshiba.dell. but very little practical knowledge that would help them get work after graduation.playstation.toshiba.aspx?c=au&.com PLAY B3YOND http://www.com BE FEARLESS http://www.com/home.jsp CHALLENGE EVERYTHING http://www.cvsp CHOOSE FREEDOM http://www.symantec.virginmobileusa.htm CHOOSE FREEDOM http://www.haier. ey were learning a lot of theory.com/language COME ALIVE http://www.holden.com.subway.
I am your client and I need you to design me a brochure." I happily replied. "Okay. I was wrong. "How big do you want the brochure?" "Another excellent question.My first day. After another 5 minutes of 'creating' another hand shot up. Surely." I thought to myself. I'm sorry." About 10 minutes passed by before a shy. the students designed their little hearts out while a random question would pop up now and then. " is is worse than I thought. the class made an "Oooohhhhh"sound as if they actually understood my gibberish. "Wow. For the next 3 hours. "Um…professor? So… like…. the students must be on to my little game." After a pause. "What's that?!" "Oh. " at's an excellent question!" I responded. Go!" e students hunkered down in front of their laptops and furiously began to design the best brochure that their professor had ever seen. "I want a brochure about my triple exponential smoothers. I should explain. What's the brochure about?" e boy next to her actually had the audacity to give her the what-a-stupid-question look. e questions will start coming fast and furious now. I stood there – dumbfounded. let's get started. introduced myself and said. en I would comment on e Tribes Casebook page 44 . A triple exponential smoother attaches to custom made rabberflanges." e class collectively replied. A few minutes before the period ended. I asked the students to bring their projects to my desk one by one. blonde girl raised her hand in the back. I walked to the front of the class.
Or "Where's my product shot? Where's my logo? Where's my (fill in the blank)?" "You have a logo? You didn't say anything about a logo!" the student would cry. ey all got A's. e tribe of independent leaders." "Budget? Well. without any further instruction from me. they were asked to control their own destiny. what's your budget then?" would be the reply. ey all belonged to a tribe that was conditioned to follow orders. don't you think?" would be my answer. It looks expensive to produce. ey were never taught to question the status quo – to simply ask. ey needed someone to tell them it was okay to take charge. And my answer? "You didn't ask. "It's a little late to be asking that question. Group Mind & the Improv Musical e Tribes Casebook page 45 ." e students all "failed" the first project. But I couldn't blame them.each one. ey needed to graduate from one tribe to the next. we ran the exercise again. e next week. I soon realized that these students needed more than a real world education. ey needed to be hand-held and coddled every step of the way. It's not within my budget. "I can't accept this. "Why?" For the first time.
it's worth searching one out. and worked for weeks on strengthening that sense of group mind. It's a daunting process to say the least… but then something odd happens. that's what makes or breaks the performance. and you're expected to pull a song out of the air. it should be funny. It should be about a story you don't know. the audience snaps to attention. that you're on stage ad-libbing. only one was ambitious enough to read each other's minds. It's terrifying. Our troupe hired an improv pianist (they exist!). they are unbelievable. because the team's thoughts are so clearly on the same track. if it can. ey are dancing behind you as if the whole thing were choreographed. it's the idea that as you learn. (I recommend avoiding the phrase "Let me tell you the story about the time…") Suddenly the music kicks in. if you will. practice and experience side-by-side with other members. you come to a point where you can anticipate one another. It should follow the melody. and above all. Of course this isn't telepathy—it's simply a bond you forge by sharing experiences. whether the tribe works toward it (as an improv troupe does) or. If you haven't seen an improv musical. Imagine. naturally. "Group mind" is a core principle of improv. involving characters you made up. it happens organically (as in a family). you start to notice that your friends on stage are harmonizing. ey e Tribes Casebook page 46 . and you unwittingly say something that inspires your pianist. more likely. When they're done poorly… well. e big difference between your standard improv and your improv musical is. the music.Erica Minton Of all the tribes I've been involved with. As you sing in off-key slant-rhyme. I was heavily involved in an improvisational comedy troupe all through college and thereafter. You can see one step ahead. after all. You can create a new scene that looks and feels as though you've practiced it before. pianist included). It should rhyme. which you have never heard before (and neither has anyone else. let's not go down that road. It's an element of many tribes. How often have you said something in sync with a loved one? Finished a friend's sentence? How often does it happen with strangers? My best experience with group mind in the troupe was when we took on an improvised musical. When they're done well.
appealing to non wine drinkers who were often intimidated by traditional wines. and no matter how well any one of you can sing. find that crazy and intangible group mind and make it work for them. grow from selling 500. Casella Wines reframed a view held by the wine industry. by avoiding trying to beat their competition. they created something fresh and exciting. correctly guessing your awful rhymes. ey focussed on three things. ey created the fastest growing wine brand in the history of both the U. It's what makes a team better than the sum of its parts… no matter the goal.S. How to grow a tribe. no matter the leader. coworkers or none of the above. Instead of dividing up the existing market by trying to beat the competition. Casella didn't steal sales from it's competitors. it simply grew it's own new market.sing the chorus in unison with you. be they friends.000 cases of wine worldwide in 2001 to a staggering 11million cases in 2007? is is the story of yellow tail. Australia. It all comes together in a way that takes you by surprise… and completely blows the audience away. Solid tribes. a yellow tail. they gave the e Tribes Casebook page 47 . Bernadette Jiwa Brendan Mitchell How did a family business based in Yenda (population 1000). they sold it as a social drink. Casella didn't sell yellow tail as a wine. making wine fun. and Australian wine industries. which traditionally equated complexity with quality. ey produced an uncomplicated wine. breaking away from their competition. easy to drink and select.
these people would have drifted by one another without any notice. fade in and out. introductions were made and connections were formed. featuring a kangaroo in bright yellows and oranges. but find a way to prevail. one red. Numerous people were brought together by way of the dog. By August 2003 yellow tail was the number one selling red wine in a 750 ml bottle in the U. which beer and cocktail drinkers loved and could enjoy without feeling intimidated about it's selection. And. He led the 2 toward new relationships. e dog was a conduit. is was a tribe made of 3. e labelling was simple too.S. less thoughtful tribes fall prey to the inescapable change. ese tribes live on through the heart and essence of the original tribe. one white and even packaged them in the same shaped bottle. shapes and affiliations. ey have different names like pack. e result was a sweeter wine. change. class or customer. How would you do that? Tribe Evolution Polly Tribes come in varying sizes. I recently experienced change in a tribe.customer just two varieties. Casella has expanded it's business simply by growing a new tribe and by being approachable to them. Cohesive tribes evolve. ey have different purposes. Without the dog's intervention. team. e Tribes Casebook page 48 . 2 humans and a dog. e dog interceded. they are molded over time. Weaker.
e dog had an open mind. He knew no strangers, came when called upon without hesitation, and continually unearthed new territories. He met each new outing with the fascination and joie de vivre that only a trusting creature, full of intrigue and stimulation, can appreciate. No maps or plans, only the idea that some kind of a venture lay ahead. Some more enjoyable than others. All worthy, since this one might be the great one. He taught his tribe the importance of tolerance, the art of forward thinking and the tranquility of faithfulness. Mostly, he was a laid back fellow who was an agent of change. Adaptable, ready and always willing. He got up each morning without any guarantees for this day or the next. No guarantees that the 2 would return to him when they left. No guarantees that the 2 were driving him to his beloved park rather than on a mundane trip to the store or worse yet, the vet. No guarantees that the 2 would stick with him at all costs. He trusted and knew his tribe. Worry was a waste. He accepted change and worked with it. One particular Saturday in early July, after 14 years of partnership, the dog decided that night would be as good as any to end his earthly journey. He did what the other 2 had always asked of him (make it easy), and he simply lay down and died. He was there and then he was gone. His tribe had been forever changed. e 2 had lost a leader, their gateway to certain groups of people, and a spirit that taught the significance of unguarded accessibility, devotion, trust and openness. All of it, gone in under five minutes. ese same dynamics are at play in your tribe. ere are pieces and parts of your tribe that would be deeply missed if gone. ese holes will change your tribe. It can happen quickly, with little warning. It is up to you to think about what those holes mean to the tribe and react accordingly. Be prepared. Real, genuine tribes carry on propped up by the character and spirit on which they were built. Can your tribe carry on in the face of change? Will it honor its past and still be viable, amazing, and remarkable? Or, will it loose its way and be consumed by the holes?
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Let Your Tribe Do The Talking
Brad J Ward e Higher Education industry is a tricky one. You have aging administrators deciding how to communicate with 14-17 year old millennials. With so many universities and colleges competing for the attention of students who are becoming busier and more involved, the typical recruitment process is full of noise and static. So how do you break through and succeed? You let go and let the students do the talking. In my position as the Electronic Communication Coordinator at Butler University, I knew it was time to give the students a voice on our site. Student bloggers have been utilized in the recruitment process at universities for a few years, but we wanted to stretch them further, past the typical blog. By integrating tools such as photo albums, forums, Twitter, and Facebook into the communication, we were able to let the student bloggers, my tribe of 9 students, extend much further and create deeper connections with students than anyone working in the office could. e results of the first year were astonishing. By letting go and letting current students be a primary piece of the recruitment process, we were able to engage and interact with students on a level that we could not previously achieve at the university. e site, http://go.butler.edu/cs, became a central hub for inquiring and incoming students. In only 10 months from launch, /cs was responsible for nearly 40% our entire site's traffic. Over 400 students joined the BUForums for a chance to ask the Bloggers questions and talk to other incoming or prospective students, resulting in over 1200 forum posts during the first year of this niche community. With incoming classes around 900 each year, we were very pleased with the participation. And talk about a long tail. In the old ways of business, it was best to cut the latter of the 80/20 rule. But listen to this: the upper 75% of our traffic came from 1,184 pages averaging 592 page views. e lower 25% of traffic came from 233,846 page views on 8,826 pages, for an average of 26 page views per page. Nearly 90% of the lower fourth of pages come from the
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http://go.butler.edu/cs site. ese are 8,800 pages that did not exist one year ago. Where did all of this content come from? All user-generated from the tribe. New blog post = new page. New forum post = new page. New reply in a thread = new page. Each page might not have much traffic, but the content was more focused and students found the info they really wanted. What I learned is that the conversation is in the long tail. Cut that out, and you have a static website, a one-stop shop. As participation increases, so does content and engagement. And as those increase, so does your enrollment. After seeing what our students have accomplished for us, how could I not give my Tribe a voice and let them speak?
When Members leave the Tribe: The Aramco Brats' Story
Saleh AlShebil Many Americans and other expats used to work in Saudi Aramco http://www.saudiaramco.com/ (formerly Aramco), " e Oil Company" in Saudi Arabia. ey lived a good part of their lives there. ey were called Aramcons, as they were part of the Aramco Tribe. After leaving the company, they wanted to "stay in touch" with their fellow Aramcon Tribe members. ey created the Aramco Brats website http://www.aramco-brats.com/ . ey made a movie: e Aramco Brats' Story http://www.bratstory.com/trailer.html …to remember the good ol' days. When members leave a Tribe…that's not necessarily a bad thing…
The iPhone Hackers Tribe: Determined to "Unlock!"
Dr. Saleh AlShebil
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When the iPhone launched more than a year ago, people realized that not everyone can get it since you had to have a contract signed with AT&T at the time. It didn't take long before the iPhone hackers tribe began emerging around the world and showing that they were up to the challenge. "Jailbreak," "unlock," and "activate" became the new tribal lingo for the iPhone hacking tribe. ese terms became the default language by which the tribe communicated with the rest of the world. e tribe of iPhone hackers were all collaborating toward one essential goal: to hack the iPhone. But it didn't stop there. As Apple began releasing new updates that "bricked" any hacked iPhone, the tribe of hackers was further challenged to come up with a new hack every time. One clear iPhone hackers tribe that stands out is the iPhone Dev Team http://wikee.iphwn.org/ , who the world now depends on for hacking the new iPhone 3 G, which they "jailbreaked" already, but yet need to "unlock," it. According to their blog http://blog.iphone-dev.org/ , the iPhone DevTeam is "comprised of a group of people who work together over IRC from various parts of the world." ey have "never met face-to-face and" "rarely know real names" to the point that they "would more than likely not recognize each other if " they "walk past one another on the street." ey use nicknames (http://wikee.iphwn.org/#who_we_are) like: asap18, iZsh, and wizdaz to identify themselves. ey don't do it for money and don't accept any donations as well. e tribe even has a code of ethics… as they state: "we follow a strict "hacker code": ground rules by which we all abide." And what happens to those who don't abide by the rules? ey get kicked out of the tribe as the blog post below shows: "Geohot is certainly a bright guy, but he couldn't abide by rules...and because of this he was asked to leave the team." Some of the blog posts of the iPhone dev team get more than a 1000 comments http://blog.iphonedev.org/post/42931306/pwnagetool-2-0-1 , which kind of tells us how many people follow this tribe, not including the lurkers of course. Let's take a "live" close-up at some of their blog postings to shed some more light on this tribe:
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I think you'll agree that this was worth the wait. unite for a single goal. it's not the 3G unlock. have a code of ethics.)" So what can we learn from this iPhone hackers tribe? A tribe whose members don't really know each other. challenge themselves. :) e downloads brought down several of our servers. and some of them have yet to recover!" "As soon as we fix this up and test a bit more we'll be ready for release. work e Tribes Casebook page 53 . Another long month ahead before the fun begins again…" Achievements & Connections with their followers: "What you are seeing is the world's first jailbroken iPhone 3G running our own software. Apple has had their turn. we'll get back to you with a release schedule soon." "Good Morning! Did you think we'd sleep? really?" e iPhone Dev-Team tribe is still working on "unlocking" the iPhone 3G while the world awaits…and in the meantime… "We've got something for you! (No. Challenge. but still something very useful." "Well. Please loosen that seatbelt slightly while our cabin crew serve you complimentary drinks. impressive work on SDK! And now it's ours…" "So the long-awaited 3G phone won't be released until July. rill & Fun: "Well.e Passion. the response was overwhelming.
even a YouTube clone http://www. Saleh AlShebil Two years ago.com/watch?v=4as89usexAw&fmt=18 views. music or dancing talent…but it was a contest in poetic talent.993. But what was it about? It wasn't a contest in singing.qsedtube. A magazine was also launched dedicated to the show. Furthermore. e show was called "Shaa'er AlMalyon.net/ (e Million's Poet) became a huge hit and has swept the Arabian Gulf region in particular and made it an annual happening that gets a lot of buzz going on every year.almillion." e finalists were judged based on a combination of the judges' evaluations and the sms text votes by the people. e winner gets a million dirhams (~ $272 K) and " e Bairag" which is a flag representing a status symbol of the show. Interestingly. many of which created by poetry fans. Striking a Tribal chord: Why "Shaa'aer AlMalyon" clicked with Arabs Dr. challenge them and let them do "magic. Yes. Youtube took a share for its success as well. Winners of the show became instant celebrities. several websites and online communities were also created about the show and its poets. Shaa'er AlMaa'na (e Poet of Meaning) and Shaa'er AlArab (e Arab's Poet).com/ for Arabic poetry has been spurred after it. an Arabic satellite channel launched a TV show contest that was somewhat similar to American Idol. It is not meant to be an endorsement for hackers. e success of the show lead to the spur of several clones like Ameer AlShuaa'raa (Prince of the Poets).681 http://www. a contest in poetry. as one of the show's famous poet videos had a view count of 1.on the clock for "free"." Note: is is a case study. Kids in the region began even memorizing some e Tribes Casebook page 54 . So what? "Shaa'er AlMalyon" http://www. A Google search insights shows that "Shaa'er AlMalyon" was one of the rising searches in a couple of the gulf countries during those times.Get a group of people from anywhere. . target a single goal. continuously connect with their followers and get driven by strong passion. driven by a passion for something.youtube.
But what was it? Why did "Shaa'er AlMalyon" click with Arabs? And what made it sweep the Gulf region like that? e poetry? Why? Well. You knew that was coming!…Shaa'er AlMalyon was a big "hit" by all counts. Now flash forward to the twenty first century. ere was such an uproar that a site http://www. e Media was all over the show. Poetry was part of the Arab tribe's DNA. It was the strong ability to use the Arabic language words to create powerful expressive poetry that forced adrenalin and gushed emotions to the listening audience.laalmillion. In the show's last round. e Tribes Casebook page 55 . so much so. that a competition was held for the best kid poet by the same hosting channel. and "Shaa'er AlMalyon" unlocked that DNA code So what's your tribe's tribal chord? And has it been struck yet? * It is important to mention here that the contest was specifically on the "nabati" type of poetry which resembles a Bedouin kind of poetry.Let me explain. e show was a success because it revived and brought back to life the strong poetry that was a strength that Arabs had always boasted about and was a sign of pride amongst them. some complimenting whilst others very harshly criticizing…adding even more publicity to a show that didn't need any extra fueling. Oh and poetry cell phone ringtones followed. Arabs have long been known throughout history for their great poetry and strong poetic and language skills.of the famous poems delivered. is also better explains its' success in the Arabian Gulf region in particular.com/ was even launched calling on people to boycott the show for the following year. Strong poetry represented a cultural identity of the Arab tribe and "Shaa'er AlMalyon" struck that Arab tribal chord right on the spot. the buzz was at its peak especially after the announced winner didn't go to the expected finalist. Many famous poets have grown from the Arab tribe and have become icons of poetry whose poems became school material. e tribal poetry chord. A strike that was long overdue…. it was because "Shaa'er AlMalyon" struck a tribal chord amongst the Arab tribe.
The Shoeshine Man's Tribe Steve Mauldin I was getting my shoes shined in the Atlanta Airport and asked my shoeshine man how business was going.". not theirs. at's how business is going. Educational systems. mentors. political parties. He said something I will never forget. "Look at all those tennis shoes and sandals. and the workplace often seem to demand the right to name us. e wisest of our teachers. Bryant and O'Neil. "Imagine a grown man wearing another man's name on his back. e shoeshine man put down his shine cloths and looked at me in amazement. role models and friends will want us to wear our own names in life. he said. He stopped and pointed out to the concourse. an airline pilot hears an Eastern pilot decide not to continue his approach due to terrible weather." He made me a member of his tribe by honestly sharing what he saw and I didn't. As we both looked at the people passing by. a group of sports fans walked past wearing football and basketball jerseys with the names of popular professional athletes like Favre. Ernest Gann wrote a book on the early days of commercial aviation called Fate Is e Hunter. e Tribes Casebook page 56 . Listening To Other Tribes Posted by Steve Mauldin Years ago. In one passage.
highly regarded individually. the Navahos."He must give at least some consideration to the fact that airline pilots are separated into tribes in spite of their common occupation. American pilots are thought to be a mixed lot. All of this is recognized as debatable. both have hired top fashion designers to reestablish their relevance in the mass fashion market. admired and envied for their long range flying. conditioned by their aerial territories. are as different as the Sioux. What generalizations about other tribes lead us to good decisions? Who do we believe to be singularly determined. and if the (Eastern) pilot now beneath us has refused to continue his approach. e companies behind these iconic American brands have been financially eroding over the last several years. Now it is important for Hughen to remember that Eastern Airlines pilots are singularly determined and clever.". us United pilots are considered colorless and sticklers for regulations. Gossip has provided legend. and in an attempt to reverse this trend. "We are proceeding to our alternate. takes less than a minute to join all the factors together and reach a decision. e Tribes Casebook page 57 . which in turns lead to unavoidable generalization. but their characteristics. and the Cherokees. are pitied for the chameleon management of their company. Hughen. Yet the legends had to start somehow. newly concerned with our fuel reserve.. prone to independent complaint and rebellion. Pan American pilots.. e tribes are each healthy and strong in their way. TWA pilots. clever or not given to timidity? What are they wisely avoiding? How do we listen to a tribe that is not our own? Leaving their tribes behind Ellen Di Resta e GAP and Liz Claiborne have lost their way. then the conditions must be very unpleasant indeed. ey are not given to timidity. are thought to be shy and backward in their foul-weather work.
Corporate leadership of a tribe requires a holistic perspective. Patrick Robinson and Isaac Mizrahi are top fashion designers who have both successfully developed clothing lines for Target. e challenge for the designers. becomes very clear: interpret your design sense through a product line intended for Target. e challenge for the designers in working with e GAP and Liz Claiborne is much less clear. but it can't be done by offloading leadership and leaving their tribes behind. and superficially it makes sense. at the tender age of twenty-two. Why? Because these companies have lost sight of what their brands mean to their consumers. and they are abrogating the responsibility for leading their tribes. Pour Me Another: Jack Daniel's Tribe Is 90 Proof Tom Bentley ere is a marketing adage in direct mail/promotion that it takes at least five contacts (or seven or nine or eleven) to provoke a response in a customer. and re-establish the relationship they once had. showing that they can translate their style to the mass market. e designers are unfairly (and perhaps unknowingly) being asked to bear the responsibility for leading the tribes with a limited corporate influence. What happens when a company takes the long view—say 30 years? In 1976. Target is very clear about what its brand means to its consumers. talk to them. and embraces the responsibility of leading their tribe. however. shop with them. while not easy. To build a solid foundation for lasting success. Looking beneath the surface.e intention is good. I acceded to a solicitation I found on the neck of a Jack Daniel's whiskey bottle to e Tribes Casebook page 58 . these two companies need to understand their tribes as people. I do think these brands can be saved. and the authority to align the entire organization to be consistent with the tribe. see them in their real lives. en they need to relearn how to accept the responsibility for leading their tribes. it's clear that e GAP and Liz Claiborne are not asking the designers to undertake a similar challenge to what they did for Target.
Tallying up the documents. with the accompanying declaration that I am a Tennessee Squire in good standing. Collectively. ey earned it. I count over 100 letters. a buckeye. is extraordinary. where mail delivery was often an afterthought. and then there's MARKETING. a record of abominable folk songs. I even received several letters while I lived on the tiny Micronesian island of Kosrae. e Tribes Casebook page 59 . drinking glasses. I responded with a letter letting the good folks in Lynchburg know that not only did I enjoy consuming their whiskey in a conventional way. at casual screed was the opening of the editorial valve. and it's certainly a tribe. Needless to say.write to the distillery with any thoughts or questions I had about the distillery's product. I was very impressed with the first five years of letters and weird gifts (some so truly uncommercial—like the snapshot of rusted items found with a metal detector on my land. and many deeply amusing in a folksy way. since the distillery's first congenial response to my declaration. and I buy them too. Being a bit of a wise guy. I am a Jack Daniel's drinker. which rarely touch upon anything related to selling whiskey—but instead might inquire as to whether I'd allow worms to be dug on my property—show a creative and quixotic whimsy. including a deed to a one-inch square of property on distillery land. and items such as a plug of chewing tobacco. calendars and much more. ese missives have followed me through 30+ years of address—and lifestyle—changes. with the question as to whether I needed them). has remained. ere are better whiskeys. as well as a parcel of certificates. a rubbing stone. e reach and errant angle of these communications. my continued appreciation of their high-proof product. public notices (some handwritten) and photographs. e distillery invited me to join the Tennessee Squires very early on. and kept a glass on my bedside table. at the ready to ward off night sweats and other less congenial spirits. they limn the peaks and valleys familiar to many relationships. centered around the appreciation of good sippin' whiskey. though a unifying constant. but Jack will always be a mainstay in my house. official-looking documents and oddments of Americana have made their way through the mails to me. at the company would continue to send letters for 30 YEARS. but that I also brushed my teeth with it. a flood of letters. Now there's marketing.
a design distinction. PageMaker 1. I was hired by Borland. and I liked it. to be a copyeditor. thrice a tribe. A selection of typefaces. so I could only shrug. a goodly portion of the marketing department got them too. Not having much computer experience. then a fairly big player in the software industry. and again. But of course. whinging because our department had given an upscale machine to the new doofus copyeditor. People succumbed to the ease. and I've gotten good work done on them. and probably 7 PCs. who didn't know just how glorious 640k of internal memory was. that somewhat intangible design/desire glimmer. e Tribes Casebook page 60 . immediately.0 on the Mac—wow. a new. ey plunked me down in front of what I was told was a smoking machine. e geeks did not speak Mac. the tribe. A graphical interface that quickly communicated the notion of file storage and retrieval. twice a tribe. A new copyeditor was hired. save and find files. She'd only used PCs until then—revelation. I plinked and poked my way around DOS. en my Mac Plus arrived. Some geekasauri from other departments came around. en. got one too. But Borland's bottom line was based on selling inexpensive (revolutionary. the allure of the new. And something else: a sparkle. I'm not a naysayer regarding PCs—they've always been serviceable machines for me. I didn't know memory from moonbeams. that scorn only enhanced the "we're unique. who worked out of the office. getting used to command-line instructions to open. that holy integration of form and function. at the time) development tools for programmers. I've often owned both simultaneously.Apples Are the Sweeter Fruit Tom Bentley In 1986. A tribe of two. Lookee here—a mouse to move that cursor across the screen! A program you can draw with. at was at least 10 Macs ago. because my work demanded it. Our direct boss. Once a tribe. zippy IBM XT. and the machines were often derided as toys. She was given a new Mac Plus. is was something else again. we use Macs" (read: we're better) sense of narrow community.
many are marvelous advances in computing and design. but in the main. ere have been some clunkers. Since I was shoplifting albums then and selling them for pocket money. ripples of ecstatic appreciation seemed to spark and crackle like electric storms through the whole of the concert. Even though the Bowl was a seats-only stadium. letting me steal. Anyway. but I get where the fanatics are coming from. I'd been to many concerts. at the Hollywood Bowl. a high-school musician friend told me I should check out the Grateful Dead. building layers of volume on a prolonged melody. e Tribes Casebook page 61 . the band wove anticipation and partial release through the crowd. In June of '72. at turned out to be prescient. Um. building to a frothy finish. e Mac tribe. country rock. I stole their whole discography. twist-your-third-eye-inside-out psychedelia—I liked what they were selling. of course. crowd leaning and swaying until an explosion of interwoven instruments and blended vocals—too easily described as orgasmic. I'm in their tribe. I'm not quite the zealot fanboy who would immediately flame online columnists who question any aspect of the Macintosh Creed. after all. as has Apple's design magic. has been written about extensively. I've gotten the work done. more volume. How Macs work (even though both platforms have more and more overlap over time) still makes more sense to me. interesting: straight-ahead rock. and a bit more. returning to it. but never one like this: on some of their barnburner numbers. But on the Macs. the crowd was remarkable for the intensity of their fervor. Hmm. I went to my first concert.Windows is WAY better (I don't use Vista) than it used to be. teasing away. whoever really thought a toy was a bad thing? The Dead—Give It Away (and the Getting Never Ends) Tom Bentley In 1971. the tribe wide-eyed and sated. falling off it. blues ballads.
Look. Tie-dyed and red-eyed. the environment and education. Of the 50 concerts I went to. I never stole any more albums—their store had no walls. those tape traders built one of the first "free content" networks ever. Letters.And a tribe it was. with just one stipulation: the tapes were to be traded back and forth. You'd nod in recognition. Free was easy with the Dead. bangled and beaded. guitar lines trailing off. there's the tall guy with the braided beard and the Dr. gifts. at one. long concert lasted for more than 30 years. rough the Dead. But the tribe never cared—they were together. Suess hat. one of their highly profitable sidelines. Long-haired. e Dead allowed fans to readily tape their music. still tradable after all these years. An early album invited "Dead Freaks" to drop a line. And sometimes their live concerts SUCKED." and on and on. e Tribes Casebook page 62 . I began to notice some of the same people: "Oh. that knockout Grace Kelly-lookalike with the American flag granny dress. ere was a huge national network of trade-by-mail tapers. mushrooming a fan base that made the Dead year-after-year the highest-grossing touring band in the US. Lyrics butchered. perhaps 5 were entropic murks. and pass the pipe further down the line. intricately drawn posters flowed in for years—and a huge contact database was built. until Jerry Garcia's big heart gave out in 1995. they were about the music. not sold. started a foundation that contributed to organizations for social justice. e tapers. ey were never about the money. e tribe still exists. later used to send catalogs of Dead clothing and memorabilia. with each other and their leaders. the music filling iPods. After I'd been going to concerts for a few years. ey had benefit concert after benefit concert. some fanatical about getting their hands on one of the shows where the Dead opened the heavens. Noteworthy: a section at Dead concerts where people had big reel-to-reel recorders and 8-foot microphones.
The Most Organized Tribe Wins. As a PC creative. ink about that. For arguments sake." "Now that you have a Mac. PC creatives are almost 3 times the numbers of Mac creatives." "I am a designer but I feel like I have to apologize when I tell people I use a PC. you just talk about your work and don't mention what platform it was made on. resist the urge to become an artist. (I'm a Mac. you are given permission to join forums. lets say 50% of all Mac users and 10% of all PC users are paid creative professionals. As an Apple creative. not wanting to proudly promote their platform of choice. at comes out to 35 million Mac creatives and 93 million PC creatives. give high fives and fist bumps and hold your head high. e Tribes Casebook page 63 ." ere are roughly 1 billion computers in the world. 7% of these are Apple and 90% use Windows. Almost 100 million strong and yet they hide in fear. my creativity has increased. I'm a PC) Matt Kern Overheard on the way to forum: "Now that I have my new Mac. make groups.
you and they become a part of something. and it may become confusing. It may sound like you don't really e Tribes Casebook page 64 . it is true. You have as many Tribes as friends in your life. Your Personal Tribe Dimitri Limberopulos Has anyone ever asked you a question? Has anyone ever asked you a 2nd question? Maybe a 3rd? And perhaps even hundreds more? When someone asks you a question you become momentarily (and sometimes permanently) the leader of a Tribe. As many people have stated sometimes we just don't know when to be a father. a friend. ere is no one else up there but you. Our life has become tangled in so many spaces (real and virtual) that it's easy to lose sight (and track) of all the Tribes we're living in. they always leave something behind. and you are thinking of how to respond. for a moment. Tribes are born out of nothing. But when someone asks you a question. is Tribe may last for a few seconds. And that is your inner Tribe. But there is something special about Tribes. Inside of your heart and head you are the leader. Tribes come and go. but there is one Tribe. sometimes out of a coincidence (an innocent question) and sometimes out of a shared interest (for example golf ). It doesn't have to be so. ey are expecting something from you. or perhaps a lifetime. a boss or just a colleague. the most important Tribe that is always present.One interesting thing to note is when you change the argument from "paid creative professionals" to "people that feel creative". the number of creatives shoots to 100% for Mac owners.
she took a deep breath. the Tribe will also take care of you. It was the beginning of her membership in one of the oldest and largest tribes in the world. In the end if you take care of a Tribe. Children wanted to touch her belly . confident. take advantage of them. but if you take care of that Tribe you will take care of all the Tribes at the same time. Your role in a Tribe is to be yourself. ree expectant mothers nodded at her and smiled knowingly at the grocery store.she would hear these questions hundreds of times for the next 5 months: "When are you due?" "Is it a boy or a girl?" "Have you picked out a name yet?" She was unexpectedly the center of attention of young and old. you can participate in as many Tribes as you want. By being true to yourself. Tribes are relationships. and all relationships begin in you. e moment had arrived! Everywhere she went .young mothers with school aged children had supportive comments but looked worn out and frazzled. and end in you.two expectant women stopped to talk to her. The Little Tribe Inside Sherri Welch It was a beautiful spring morning .she began noticing other members of the tribe. nothing more. Once you realize that you have tons of Tribes and your role within them.she grabbed the front door knob and turned. In fact. and learn from every Tribe. Middle aged "new" grandmothers had the most amount of helpful e Tribes Casebook page 65 .need another Tribe… now that I have tons of Tribes I also have to deal with a Tribe that lives up there in my head? Well.it all just fell into place naturally . Now that you know that you know that your role is to be yourself. Stepping onto the porch in her liz lange tunic and cropped pants. you will contribute in endless ways that no one but you can contribute. She was glowing. At the walking track . and proud. e baby bump was finally showing and all who met her would know she was now a part of the Moms-To-Be Tribe. the answer is yes. e easiest way to become a part of a Tribe is to realize that you already in one (or thousands). Contribute as much as possible. nothing else. Not quite knowing what to expect . you already are.
mostly from the ages of 15 to 45 . and great grandmother. sometimes a miracle. As she grows her family. you are accepted into the tribe without question.but it spans the entire world.information . but there is no mistaking it . and mothers' days out. she'll become a tribe member again . aunt.one nourishing the other .and through the first few years. e hardest ones to talk to were the women who desperately wanted to be in the tribe but couldn't.and she'll group with other Moms and MomsTo-Be. with an ever changing membership. religions.they're on an emotional roller coaster. It seemed like they were everywhere . or happier at baby showers. groups at church. and it's a love stronger than her love for herself. chat rooms. is tribe itself is unique. When the Mom-To-Be graduates from the tribe (by giving birth) she'll be a repeat customer for years to come.the larger she grew – she noticed more and more pregnant women. Complete strangers would inquire of her health. ey're ready to spend money! Babies require a huge influx of products into the home before the baby even arrives . She loves the baby before she can see it or feel it.this time with more influence . She felt guilt and empathy mixed with sadness for those women.once you are a member. Older women had wonderful advice and were very supportive. Sometimes membership is an accident. "Have you been sick?" "Are you excited?" "What are you going to decorate the nursery in?" Everywhere she went .they were going through it again with new grandbabies. and socioeconomic groups. Perhaps you're in this tribe now? Maybe you've been in this tribe? e Moms-To-Be Tribe is always looking for leadership – e Tribes Casebook page 66 . It's limited to women .one helplessly depending on the other. grandmother. is is especially true for first time moms. waiting rooms at the doctor's office. more comfortable. sometimes obtained by artificial means. ese are lifelong customers as they go through the stages of becoming a mother. ey'll discuss the latest thing that makes their little ones safer. Two lives in one body . A mother will do anything for her baby. healthier. play groups.there were online communities. ese women are walking customers looking for products to purchase . and is open to all races. and the baby will have "only the best". and of course the Lamaze class at the hospital.
e Tribes Casebook page 67 . And instead of being called clubs. But these communities are starting to get a lot more attention by upper management these days because they can directly impact business results and productivity. or web design. or Technology Interest Groups. and they have access to major internal advertising forums. So what's the boundary on club subjects? What if my area of interest is more closely related to work or business. there is no boundary. people getting together on their own time. en they began having "brown bag" presentations during lunch where people could bring their lunch as they learned new ideas and had meaningful discussions. a hiker's club. Leaders are realizing that self organizing communities are an effective way for employees to be engaged and committed to producing great work. or project management. As the community grew and various implementations of this method began to appear throughout the company. or knowledge management? It turns out. a chess club. or process improvement. Most every company has a ski club. an off hours study group for a particular process improvement method grew from just a handful of people discussing books to a larger community with an email distribution list and an internal web site.are you ready to lead? Create a Tribe with Power Rex Williams If you don't like your organization at work… create your own. and they work on the same principles. and having fun sharing ideas together. and are allowed to use basic company resources within reason. or a coin club. For example. have their own websites. At the large corporation where I work there are hundreds of these kinds of clubs. like giving presentations. or User Groups. we call these Communities of Practice.
Finally. productive.they realized that they were large enough and had enough material to put on an "Annual Conference. and visibility with executives and outside consultants participating. tours of implementations. there was more to Dan." Each year. With a small committee. He wrote seven books on trout fishing. the conference grew in size. Let me reiterate. and early 70s. and certification exams. And 40s. Employees traveled from all over the country to attend. they organized elaborate 3 day conferences that included multiple internal and external presentations. in-depth workshops. So go ahead and create a club. as his family and friends called him. 60s. than the suit. then you might be leading your executives instead of the other way around. e Tribes Casebook page 68 . and committed to the work they do? You Don't Always Know Who's Following Your Lead Joel D Canfield Dana Lamb was a bank executive in the 30s. As a serious trout fisherman might tell you. complexity. executives were asking employees if they could give them money to do what they loved to do. Isn't that the way a company should be organized. Now that's a tribe with power. the tribe grew so much in power that multiple executives were offering to be permanent sponsors by supporting the community with a significant budget. Seven. And 50s. where people work on what interests them so that they're engaged. in a company where cost cutting is prominent. But if it can help improve productivity or impact the bottom line.
A phone call later he was sullenly cooperative.) Halliburton was an iconoclast. " e Royal Road to Romance. they boarded the sailing kayak Dan had built. presumably by an upper window. eir trip down the coast. and Richard wasn't above using his father's contacts to gain access to the inaccessible. Embarking from the deck of the sailing ship Star of India in San Diego harbor. and planned on sailing. Total cost: thirty-six cents. No. and eventually gathered into his first book. Which is how he came to be the only person I've ever heard of to swim the Panama Canal. by tonnage. but there was a precedent. he left Princeton. As he travelled. Richard Halliburton was a loner." (And into half a dozen more after that. e Tribes Casebook page 69 . In 1921. is an epic adventure. His father was wealthy and influential. he did the unconventional simply because it was unconventional. being charged. and set out to hitchhike around the world. eir arrival at the canal was nearly a non-epic. one day at a time. as all vessels. He had friends at Princeton. he was livid. e canal master (the same? I don't know) was indignant. In 1933 Dan and his new bride Ginger set off on their honeymoon. down the west coast to Panama—and through the canal. obdurate. His missives were published by newspapers. he wrote. using one of the most important commercial shipping lanes in the world? Not on his watch! Ah. unhappy. A sixteen-foot canvas-covered boat.Aficionados of adventure stories will tell you. chronicled in the book Enchanted Vagabonds. that's not the half of it. but apparently he was happier tramping down the road on his own. e canal master was miffed. e SS Richard Halliburton traversed the Panama Canal.
a blogger and mother of four. they traversed the Panama Canal. they invoked the name of their glorious leader. He wrote for two reasons: writers write. Sometimes It Takes An Online Village Kayla Lamoreaux Meet Stephanie Nielson . and more. left her husband with burns over 30% of his body and left Stephanie with burns over 80% of her body. ey paid over a dollar. Stephanie blogged about the daily things of life with beautiful photos that might rival the scenes you would see in Better Homes and Gardens or Martha Stewart Living.I have no reason to believe that Halliburton and Lamb knew each other. When they came to the Panama Canal. in part. Dan and Ginger were inspired. the Vagabunda. and reassurance that they weren't alone in the craziness of raising kids and homemaking. by Halliburton's books. e most interesting thing about Stephanie's tribe is not what they did while following her blog it is what has been done since August 16. started a site to help with fundraising and recovery efforts from the family. e Tribes Casebook page 70 . 2008 . was slightly heavier than the SS Halliburton. He always seemed pleasantly surprised that anyone had read his scribblings. and he was a traveller who needed funds. As an intentional influencer he was a non-starter. Dan Lamb had. though. eir boat. Halliburton did not overtly try to persuade anyone to do or be anything. Like Halliburton before them. Her writings also included email exchanges with people all over the world mothers like her. Stephanie led a tribe of mothers and other women who checked her blog everyday for ideas.the day that Stephanie and her husband Christian were in a fiery plane crash that killed the third passenger in their plane. charged by tonnage. e most inspiring thing about this tribe is that when their leader was no longer able to blog they stepped in to help. Readers programmed Paypal donation links.
ere is only opportunity for growth.northern part of Yugoslavia at that time) right after World War II. has lead her tribe to new heights. Let me explain myself by telling you my story.We have been told that Steph will likely look much different after her healing. socialized and supported each other. because they had hopes of going back. ** You can read more about Stephanie and the tribe of mothers who followed her in this New York Times Article. e Tribes Casebook page 71 .. raised their children here. two of which (my parents) met and got married here in Argentina.. through her own personal tragedy. She will be beautiful because she is beautiful. ey arrived in Argentina."I am starting to believe that there is no such thing as tragedy. So they created centers where they met.and certainly it says something that Stephanie. My grandparents had to flee their country (now Slovenia . and I would like you to consider nurturing your next generation from within a tribe. ey wanted to maintain their original way of life as much as possible. But something in my depths knows that it will be beautiful. Raising kids in a tribe Marcos Gaser I was born and raised in a tribe.. too..I am left to wonder. the reward overcomes the sailing of the hardship... ey retained their Slovene identity while living and prospering in Argentina.Who knew that leading a tribe would lead to the tribe members rallying around their leader to support her in her time of need? at tragedy would bring out the best and change thousands of people's lives? Perhaps Stephanie's sister said it best . what sacrifice would you go through personally to personally affect thousands of lives? Your beauty?" Sometimes it takes an "opportunity for growth" in a tribe to see what it is made of . and should you accept it.
self-centered and sometimes intolerant . I do think that a tribe is a better place for raising kids. We are a very tight tribe. too. being trusted. Become a leader. Invite your extended family and closest friends to be a part of the tribe. For us. meeting places. but merely to start thinking of your family as a tribe. Now I understand how wonderful and valuable it was to grow up in this tribal experience. common cultural heritage . we are a tribe of strange people who refuse to assimilate. So. just because you belonged to the tribe. Get some tribal traditions going. I married another descendant of Slovene emigrants. From the outside. l did not learn Spanish until kindergarten! ey never had the opportunity to go back. there was that wonderful feeling of being connected. churches. being protected. of course. we are a tribe of people with a vision to stay true to our roots and our heritage in a different country. I know that I had a better youth because of this.I was born in '64 . And I learned to love Slovenia from the songs of my grandmother and the bedtime stories of my grandfather. the tribe looked exclusive. traditions.almost twenty years later . With our own rituals. Let your children work a secret handshake and war cry. e language I learned at home was Slovene. and my children speak Slovene.even our own "secret" language. Saturday schools. being valuable. sports clubs. You do not need to emigrate.but from the inside. Craft a family vision. To outsiders. All of us have Slovene citizenship although we still live in Argentina.and the tribal roots were still deep and strong. e Tribes Casebook page 72 .
Just don't tell em that. we should be thankful for em. Perhaps that's why we keep em at a distance. there can be no Us without em. But when they do. at's just like em. Some of Us are actually em in disguise. but we know the fault lies with em. Some of Us leave the ranks and join em in their fight. e Tribes Casebook page 73 . isn't it? You'd never find one of Us doing that. "What was it like to be one of em?" Admittedly. Congratulations! You're One of Us! Paul Durban Have you ever noticed that you belong to the Us tribe? No matter how hard you to try to shake it. Just like there is no top without a bottom or a left without a right. ey probably say the same thing about Us. ey walk like Us and talk like Us until one of Us exposes em for who they really are.Create and keep records of tribal memories. ey like to pin the blame on Us. you will always be one of Us. If we should ever reach common ground with em. ey don't try to understand our views and it's so difficult to relate to em. If it wasn't for em. they instantly become one of Us and we ask. Have fun! If you do it right. But at least you're not one of em. there would be no Us. then they would become one of Us. ey pretend to be Us. It's much easier for Us to justify our existence by emphasizing the differences rather than the similarities. Fortunately. they need Us just as much as we need em. stories about you will be told in your tribe for generations and generations.
The Green Bean Conspiracy Paul Durban When I was a young boy. Mom never buys that kind. you grabbed the wrong can!" I shouted down the aisle.You should feel fortunate because everyone wants to be one of Us and nobody worthwhile wants to be one of em. "Dad. my father and I were sent to the grocery to fetch some needed items for that night's dinner. then who's left to be em? Have we been fighting a battle against a non-existent adversary? Is it possible that there is only one true tribe? Us? Uh oh. Even the media recognizes this. " at's the wrong can of green beans. We have a magazine filled with beautiful people dedicated to Us. We were passing by the canned vegetables when my father swiftly grabbed a can of green beans and placed it in the cart. one of Us just came up with a thought: If every one of Us believes that they belong to the Us tribe. " at's what they say. "Excuse me?" he replied. Most of Us hate the phrase." Why should we give all the credit to em? Many of Us have come up with some pretty fine ideas too! Why doesn't anyone take advice from Us? For example." e Tribes Casebook page 74 . while a gruesome horror movie is dedicated to em.
It amazed me how easily tribes of consumers were duped. "No." "But why would they be in a different can?" I asked. It would be a number of years before I grasped the concept myself. when the green beans are packaged. He worked for years in the grocery business as a buyer. some cans get a generic label and some get a brand name label. "Why would someone pay more for the same thing?" My dad smiled." he sighed. please explain it to me. My dad explained. and when it does." my dad chuckled to himself as the cart continued to roll. some people buy based on the brand name while others buy based on price. "I'm telling you. " ey're the same green beans. "Because even though the green beans are the same. Or were they? Were these consumers simply victims of a clever marketing machine and a vast conspiracy at our nation's manufacturing plants? e Tribes Casebook page 75 . "You see." "Why would they get different labels?" I asked." I replied as I handed him the correct can. "Someday it will all make sense to you. my father was keenly aware of why consumers would pay a premium for a brand name product."It's the same thing. My dad paused for a moment and wondered if it was worth effort to explain the concept to me. Mom buys THIS brand." Of course. My dad continued." I pondered for a moment. no.
It consisted of creating a process where engineers could submit special projects that would help them develop technical or e Tribes Casebook page 76 . But I've seen new employees choose a different path of power. ere are tribes of story tellers and there are tribes of followers intently listening for the happily ever after. "When will I be able to use what I learned in school? When can I make a valuable contribution? Why can't I have a cool project?" "Just be quiet and finish reading your policies and process documents… for the next two months. ey realized that no matter what their immediate supervisor said. So. And then what is the natural and obvious choice of action for this new employee? To demonstrate their power by choosing to leave the company and work where their skills are valued and utilized.Were they lazy? Or was it that deep down. they really wanted to believe that their favorite brand was actually a higher quality then the generics? Sort of a don't ask. New Employees Unite! Rex Williams New employees are always complaining. they knew that the company needed them and their skills." the boss says. What a tremendous responsibility for each. don't tell scenario. Instead of feeling helpless and walking away from their undesirable environment. a few of them worked together to create a proposal for an entire training and development program for new engineers. they chose to take initiative and change their environment.
and Member so that everyone knows how they will contribute. Projects ranged from designing and building prototypes to helping assist with Career Shadow Day or some other big event. is effort also expanded geographically to include different 'chapters' in multiple sites throughout the company. With consulting by knowledgeable senior engineers and the backing of executives.leadership skills. Isn't that what everyone wants to do? Now. Each project has clearly defined roles such as Leader. is small tribe of new employees submitted their proposal to top executives (who knew about the mass exodus of new employees out the door) and they immediately supported the proposal with experienced guidance and funding. e new employees who took the initiative to start this effort essentially created a community (or super tribe) that housed many smaller groups (or sub-tribes) who were organized around a meaningful project that made a difference. providing an ideal setting for new and more experienced engineers to network and learn from each other. new employees. the Project evolved and became so valuable and popular that they decided to expand the eligible participants to include all engineers regardless of years of experience. and go contribute! On Diversity Megan Elizabeth Morris e Tribes Casebook page 77 . ose who participated gained valuable experience and were able to contribute to a larger good. and the project database now has hundreds of special projects that anyone can join. en their projects would be loaded into a visible web-based database for anyone to see and join if interested. Mentor. stop complaining.
not just me and you but all living creatures. sharing it with others who resonate with it. We're no longer tied to physical. We feed one another. and many tribes at once. tribes who listen to the same music or worship the same gods or read the same books. In this tribe you are my brother. the vast monoculture called civilization has overrun most tribes. dirt and dust. Our potential for tribal diversity is greater than ever before. one spirit. mainstream tribe is slowly falling apart — killing its fellow species. idea-based tribes. at's how the best paths in biological and cultural evolution are chosen. And inside those cultural tribes are more tribes. Tribes who sing songs. Tribes who wear hats. creating a problem for itself and everything around it. Life's solution is diversity. always. all water and air. And so we're all different. all growing things. eating every "backwards" culture that lingers in its path. and so is the bee and the acorn and the llama and the dodo. We can belong to physical. to teach each individual to e Tribes Casebook page 78 . rocks. abilities. all earth. but that attitude is unsustainable. Quinn's solution is the same as nature's solution for every other species: thrive and let thrive. If each person finds the best way to live — for them — that diversity will be realized. draw life from one another. is tribe is one fire. personalities. And we live our own way. Tens of billions of tribes. is vast diversity of tribes within tribes is itself a single whole tribe. Quinn posits that our whole world was healthier when it had more tribes. To raise consciousness. just as we remember that we're the same. cultural tribes. Daniel Quinn's e Story of B explains that this controlling.000 years. Just think: We have cultural tribes (though less now than ever). and more potential than that in the mind of every person on Earth. e monoculture believes that its way is the one right way. even the tiniest tribe must be made up of diverse traits. is tribe is the greater community of life.In the last 10. destroying its environment. We can belong to tribes we can't even touch (think Doctorow's Eastern Standard Tribe. think Triiibes). And if you think about it. one source. talents. cultural tribes and non-physical. e encouragement of creativity and independent thought diversifies tribes. Each tiny culture lived its own way (the best way for that tribe). Building a tribe is like growing an idea.
Diversity fuels cultural and biological growth.grow and share ideas. Say it out loud. Diversity is good. Make more tribes. you can do incredible things -. all the way up the line. acting as social connective tissue before newspapers. The Tribe of Marrus Jeffrey Lee Simons e tribe of Marrus would not exist without the internet. Marrus is an artist and a story teller. and let those who follow you widen it into a river. telling tales. many times over.and only you can do them. insight. Individual inspiration further fuels the tribe. build and create. entertainers like her provided connections between tribes. and new tribes that can grow and prosper. She travels from renaissance faire to science fiction convention to kink show. Marrus has much in common with jongleurs. no matter what. Be the heretic. It makes the community of life — the whole tribe — stronger. So that crazy. bringing news. every tribe. inspiration. In the past. the existing tribes. It fuels the greater community of life. A diversity of tribes creates diversity in individuals. always. A torrent! You have a unique spark. stand up for the thing that inspires you. Do what you love. exciting idea you had last week. follow your heart. is to diversify tribes. We must encourage creativity and individuality to thrive. Drifting with the tide creates nothing. Cut your own stream. Diversity makes everything better. just as nature does. Individual diversity propels creativity. inspires nothing. powerful and positive. constantly. that feels right and real. Your imperative in this life is to realize your potential. Medieval jongleurs traveled from town to town. make new paths. the one you don't think anyone will go for: Do it. e Tribes Casebook page 79 . learning.
and it gains support. But Marrus is different because she's not visiting members of other tribes. she's visiting members of her own. rewarding conversation between creator and audience via email. where creators pushed out content and fans consumed it. real time communication and persistent memory among its far-flung members. ey are more than mere fan club or customer base. she is most definitely the tribe's center. It is truly a tribe. lodging. social media and more. Who can live in the moment.marrusart. Some think of her more as "fodder for cocktail conversation" or "a favorite TV show. She brings news. yet always. Marrus does not consider herself the tribe's leader. nor does the tribe. It stays cohesive because the internet allows for organized. Room for guests. It creates itself because its members choose to belong. To belong to the highest circle requires merit. in the backs of their heads. is where her art lives. blog. It's the house/studio she and her partner Jay bought and rebuilt out of the muck of Katrina.com. Marrus is at the center of her own tribe.often accepting the hospitality of others." A jongleur doesn't have a home. is being replaced by a vital. purchasing her art and so on. While she never tells the tribe what to do. she has encouraged it to help members with money. And whenever she comes to town. she hosts and guides them to the treasures of her city. She gives her tribe cohesion. but that only goes so far. ere are hierarchies in the tribe of Marrus. She tells stories. they give her support. http://www. Members expect recognition and relationship that fans never dared. Anyone can join the tribe by posting on her blog. e tribe of Marrus is an example of the creator-focused tribes that have flowered with the internet. hospitality without end. ideas. similar to what consumers are beginning to demand from companies. but Marrus does. Her website. are planning for the next thing. e tribe shares energy. Her tribe cycles through." But to an observer. the tribe congregates. necessities. trusting in their own greatness and fortitude. using Marrus as the hub. Her LiveJournal is the town square. which Marrus defines as "fearless…people who push. creativity and emotional support. e old model. e Tribes Casebook page 80 . a geographically and culturally diverse tribe that would not exist but for Marrus and the internet. sustenance and meaning from itself.
While the visionaries of the space tribe wanted to open the space frontier for everybody. We did not go any further. Furst Did you ever look up to the Moon and ask yourself what it might be like to live up there? Writer Jules Verne answered this question himself.. Both were driven by prestige and fear. e first chapter of manned space flight history was clearly dominated by the governments of the USA and the Soviet Union. soon. the governments only wanted to win a race..A Space Odyssey should not become reality. and only 12 walked on the lunar surface. only 27 men have left Earth's orbit. in 1969. en. It took the USA only seven years to go from zero to the Moon. While non-manned space exploration continued to score high with spectacular discoveries in the outer solar system. e last mission returned from the Moon in 1972.Space Tribe Goes Private For Take Off John W. However. His novel inspired many generations to pursue a career in science and engineering and make the dream of human space flight come true. the first two men landed on the Moon. manned space flight was confined to low Earth orbit. when he was writing his famous book From the Earth to the Moon in 1865. Many believed it would only take a short time until we could make further steps into space. but then came the big stall. Stanley Kubrick's realistic vision from his movie 2001 . But who will open the space frontier for everybody? e Tribes Casebook page 81 .
which offered 10 million US dollars to the first privately financed organization to launch a reusable manned spacecraft into space twice within two weeks. the 47th anniversary of the Sputnik 1 launch. either. And he couldn't book a short and easy trip.1 mi) merely to the edge of space is like playing in the minor leagues. Dennis Tito. Space Ship Two is planned to bring 6 tourists at once to the edge of space as early as 2009. Perhaps these are the next steps: a space hotel in Earth orbit and private lunar missions are on the road map already. e huge success is the reduction in cost. The Nashville Tribe of Rock Music Stinson Nashville. who became the first space tourist in April 2001.000. Peter Diamandis recognized that it has to be the private sector driven by market demand. 2004.000 US dollars per person for this 2. who want each member of their tribe to be able to get into space. Everything seems to be possible again.5 hour adventure. but it's the beginning of going more mainstream. Virgin Galactic already sold 200 tickets at 200.Dr. e second chapter of manned space flight will be written by individuals and organizations. All it needs is a good business case. Altogether 26 teams from 7 countries invested more than 100 million US dollars in this competition. TN is known far and wide for it's country music roots. had to pay more than 20 million US dollars for his ticket. Within two years the price could go down to $20. For decades many country music performers and songwriters e Tribes Casebook page 82 . Shooting people up 100 kilometers (62. which will be scheduled to launch from Mexico on a weekly basis. Space Ship One won the Ansari X-Prize on October 4. He founded the X PRIZE foundation in 1996.
e video of the event [http://www. strictly for celebrating all the rock music which is created in Nashville. when one digs deeper they will discover that there is a tribe in Music City whose culture is centered around an entirely different manifestation of music. in hopes to feel an inkling of their heros in spirit. one can find a remarkably diverse collection of rock music flavors. all crafted with a compelling brilliance. Perhaps the most unique quality of this tribe is their deep rooted alliance to one another. One example comes from the Ten out of Tenn Tour. to the unbridled raw power and distorted chaos of guitars with snarling fangs. is is the Nashville Tribe of Rock Music. and will wholeheartedly seek the best interest of each other in order to maintain the perfect health of the tribe. to the blips and beeps of polyphonic emotion. Each member of the Nashville Tribe of Rock Music is dedicated to the furtherance of the collective group." which pays tribute to some of the biggest legends to ever draw breath. which helps to promote a selection of Nashville rock musicians and performers in hopes to "shatter the misconception that Nashville lacks a Rock scene worthy of respect. straight through the vacuum tubes of Nashville's broadcast radio. Each one of these establishments collectively form the "Great Monument.youtube. twisting and writhing inside every musical change.com/watch?v=r1kwy-7z6VY ] shows the members of this tribe having a musical experience on par with a religious crusade. e Tribes Casebook page 83 . Every context in between each of these main styles are used for inspiration as the members of this tribe set out to invoke the mood of this lesser known Nashville genre. Another example can be made from the Movement Nashville organization. e Ryman Auditorium is said to be the Mother Church of Country Music. e honky tonks that line the street down Broadway are monoliths that repeat the great stories to every tourist who travel from the ends of the earth.have come to realize their careers within the county lines of Music City. the local music industry has thrown a party. is tribe is one of the most tight-knit sub-cultures in existence among our increasingly global society. where ten artists who are members of the tribe supported one another on a regional tour." A final example can be found in Next Big Nashville music festival and conference. Within this tribe. e truth is. Every color is acknowledged. from the smooth pop ballad with intricate textures and interwoven melody. It is astonishing how these musicians dream up such an artful amalgamation of sound. From the clever expressionism of urban rhythm. where the gospel of e Grand Ole Opry was preached for 31 years. For the past three Septembers. Forget all of that. touch their lips to the microphone and sing the historical lyric of genuine American down-home entertainment.
DVD's. A&R men and women. is unlike any other music community in the world. Almost every week there is an in-store event held where tribe members are invited out to enjoy one another's fellowship in the comfort of one of their favorite record shop.Next Big Nashville serves as a common ground where tribe members take the weekend to fellowship with one another. is about a two mile stretch where all the record labels. e people who run Grimey's are some of music's greatest fans. Grimey's specializes in new and "pre-loved" music. Grimey's is another great example of an independent record store which the Nashville Tribe of Rock Music is proud to claim. graphic designers and many others. perform college radio shows. like the country music scene in Nashville. It puts a sincere neighborhood feel on the entire tribe. e Tribes Casebook page 84 . posters and comic books. song pluggers. e talent of this tribe transcends well beyond that of the performers. deepening their bond. VHS tapes. radio personalities. In addition to music. All of the core businesses are focused right in the middle of the city. where stories are passed down to successive generations. managers. endearing the tribe members to one another buy a common multi-generational thread. Many of these fans publish blogs. engineers. Fans are arguably the most dedicated to the tribe out of anyone. customers can also find a small selection of books. the Nashville Tribe of Rock Music has it's own monoliths which act as landmarks that truly make the whole community proud. turning Music Row into the loom which weaves the sheet of history. e way the local music industry as a whole joins in as a member of the tribe. and has a strong affinity for vinyl. organize benefits and parties or simply sneeze as hard as they can in order to evangelize this Ideavirus. Examples of such establishments can be represented by stores like e Great Escape. 16th Ave and 17th Ave. songwriters. Music clubs like Exit/In. publishing companies. DVD's and other collectibles. is case study would not be complete without paying tribute to the fact that. often taking it upon themselves to act as PR for the tribe. and into the territory of producers. which sells a collection of used and rare CD's. and they show it by organizing events which support Nashville's rock music tribe. publishers. Record shops are not the only landmarks that serve as proud moments for the Nashville Tribe of Rock Music. artist management companies and recording studios are lined up next to one another. vinyl. known as Music Row to the tribe. Each one of these individuals is willing to donate a significant portion of their time and skills in order to help nourish the growth and well-being of the tribe. a historical performance hall in midtown.
and to experience it one must be accepted as a member. all of which are proudly displayed on the wall outside like a giant badge of Nashville Rock honor. e Nashville Tribe of Rock Music is one that must be lived and breathed by it's members who's lives depend on the tribe. In other words. fielding.. he created a very popular Baseball Stadium where you can almost smell the grass on the field while having fun throwing.with blocks. a weekend is not nearly enough time to begin to understand the tribe. To truly understand this tribe one has to experience it. he said: "ROBLOX combines Legos and scripting.two of my favorite things!" He proceeded to show me how he can create his own customized "Place" and publish it so he can play in it with others online. ROBLOX Virtual Playworld Shaun Connolly My son is hooked on the ROBLOX Virtual Playworld. To gain the privilege of calling oneself a member of this tribe. ere is no shortcut to the type of experience or acceptance described here. When I asked my son what he likes about ROBLOX. and hitting the baseball. requires a person's genuine interest in relentlessly pursing the greater good of the culture. coming to Nashville for a quick weekend in hopes to passively catch a taste of what the tribe is about is a pointless waste of time.has had a 30 year run of rock music greats. they are just another person with the misconception that Nashville is a country music town. Additionally.. is tribe requires an active engagement with a generous dose of patience to be accepted in. Only after a person has dedicated their life to the tribe in this way will they begin to understand it. For example. Understanding the tribe requires a lifetime emotional investment of carrying out a role as an active member. which is a free online multiplayer game where kids play in user-created worlds... Until then. It is a modern stadium complete with hot dog stands and a giant blimp hovering e Tribes Casebook page 85 .
Using my 7 Key Attributes of Social Web Applications as a measure. scripts. engineering. Here's a picture of my son. places.over it. And Sharing happens all the time since people can share objects.in the baseball stadium he built: While I have no vested interest in ROBLOX. as well as design. You can't really Group your friends as far as I can tell. and their built in email/messaging system. Why? Because I consider ROBLOX a great example of a Triiibe. and save a single place of their own. etc. People can strike up Relationships with eachother. ey don't offer much in the way of Presence. but not nearly as robust as what you get on sites like Facebook. e key developers regularly post to the developer's blog so you feel connected to the creators of ROBLOX. the information is not rich likely due to the fact that we are dealing with kids so online privacy is important..actually his avatar. e educational aspects are simply remarkable. chat.. I think ROBLOX scores pretty well. they just may be grooming our nextgeneration of software developers. build. eir Reputations are based on how they conduct themselves online as well as the quality of the places and/or scripts they create. ROBLOX does a great job of connecting with their user community. ey are also a Triiibe with a business model. science and programming. It enables thousands of kids to interact and play within virtual worlds while learning design. It is an online destination that not only satisfies kids' social and entertainment needs but also addresses their hunger for creativity and learning. It also enables players to earn ROBLOX currency (called "ROBUX") which can be used to purchase premium items in the ROBLOX catalog that enable much greater customization of e Tribes Casebook page 86 . and they inspired an independently-run fan site that publishes all of the latest ROBLOX news. Free membership provides the ability for kids to receive an avatar. Conversations happen via Forums. play within the worlds. Every user has an Identity..ey offer a "Builders Club" which is a premium service that gives kids the ability to create and manage multiple places. I have been compelled to write about it many times..
For Gary. For some.000 viewers each day.avatars and interactive creations. designing. the answer isn't what many people want to hear.by engaging in the creative and complex process of imagining. Perhaps he was. It broke his heart that this drink had been marketed (very effectively) as something reserved for the upper echelon of society. So he launched his video blog to rip down those barriers. Unfortunately. ROBLOX believes "in the theory that kids learn best by making things . and he's often asked how he managed to do it so quickly. He attributes his success to the following three things: Be insanely passionate. I like how they offer a free way for kids to get started and then charge extra for increased value. As they say on their website. But in a little over a year he built his tribe to over 80. at number is amazing to many people. e Tribes Casebook page 87 . He sought to make wine accessible to anyone and everyone. and constructing. multi-million dollar wine company. give them the requisite tools. Bottom-line: ROBLOX provides a great example of how combining the social web and online virtual worlds provides value beyond entertainment and social interactions. and let them play. wine is a huge part of life. wine is a nice luxury. Which he left to build a video blog. Provide them with a safe and nurturing place to build. Some people probably thought he was nuts." What no one wants to hear about tribe building Sean Johnson Gary Vaynerchuk ran a extremely successful.
enormous results. He quite simply works harder than most people. making relationships with one person at a time. It takes consistency. ey don't enjoy their jobs. etc. But tribe building doesn't work that way. and Gary knows that. Too many people aren't excited about what they do. it's hard not to notice his passion for the stuff. Too many people look for a huge win. Even if you spend 5 hours and get one person to join your tribe. Which is probably why people like Gary stand out . Love your tribe. Be prepared to work your tail off to cultivate the tribe. you engage with them and love them and do what you can to help them one at a time. ey give people little reason to be excited about anything. He calls it "better than zero" anything is better than doing nothing. no matter how big it is. he says one person.in a world of lukewarm they make you notice them. and Gary knows it. that's better than no hours and no tribe. He wants everyone to enjoy wine tasting and appreciation as much as he does.Hearing him talk about wine. Instead of home runs. When you're starting out. it can be particularly daunting to figure out what to do. Whether your tribe has one person or 80. one tactic that takes very little money and time that will have immediate. Gary says to stop over-analyzing and just start trying stuff. and Gary stands out.000. at's why he puts in 10-14 hours a day reading and replying to emails. Passion that isn't channeled into action dies. focus and determination. You wonder which tactics for spreading the word have the greatest impact. When Gary is asked how big of a tribe he would need to consider himself a success. it takes lots of singles. they don't have any hobbies or interests. He's done it from day one. e Tribes Casebook page 88 . posting on blogs.
Love the people who do believe in you. more sneezers. 1 woman = 1 plate Jule Kucera She was suddenly the member of a tribe she never wanted to join. It hadn't seemed real the month she moved out and stayed with friends.their passion is other-centered. or a lack of willingness to do the work. ey had assumed she couldn't afford it and she had assumed she didn't deserve it. etc. she was profoundly aware of the tribe she had left and the tribe she had joined. e first time she tried to see it they wouldn't show it to her. Which means they don't care about how many people are in their tribe . When she had left him. e apartment was a 2-story loft in a converted furniture factory. Unlocking the door to her new apartment. e furniture was an odd combination of things kept and cheap replacements for things given up—a heavy antique pine table e Tribes Casebook page 89 . Don't lament that you're not big or popular enough.for the first time in history you have immediate access to millions of people whenever you want. For most people looking to start a tribe. A month later she went back and signed the lease. But the best tribal leaders aren't doing it for themselves in the end .anyone that's willing to do the work is likely to find the reward on the other side. e barrier is usually a lack of sufficient passion. You have a fairly level playing field . and massive beams that made her feel safe. It had a skylight.Too many people approach building tribes to stroke their own egos. exposed brick walls. she had left with only the clothes on her back—shorts and a ratty t-shirt. technology isn't the barrier .just that there's someone out there whose life they can change or improve in some way.more subscribers. ey try to go for more .
e stories poured from the women. she would open the cupboard and pick a plate. to be handled carefully. alone but not lonely." Every plate matched the woman who brought it. Jan's. is plate was the only one whose inscription had survived soap and hot water. each brought the same plate—white with a precise checkerboard border. different sizes and colors and shapes. In the evenings when she came home. Just before cutting the cake (a 3-story chocolate wonder also featuring a broken heart) she made another request—that each woman share a 'bad man' story. "Con mucho cariño—Maria. Maria's 8 were always at the bottom of the stack. Denise's with its hearty loops matching her laughter. the top plate the one with the inscription. She didn't want to feel alone and stupid. She ate dinner off Maria's plate. Chris and Susan. And Maria's 8." It was these plates and this tribe of women that carried her across every dinner. white plastic lawn chairs in the living room. As she washed the plate she turned it over. Jan. who had trouble seeing eye-to-eye at work. "Bring a plate to eat off and leave behind because I don't have any. brought 8 melamine plates. beautiful and unique. A sharpie marker was passed and each woman wrote on the back of her plate. e invitations featured a heart ripped in half and a request. because she hating doing dishes. She loved that every plate reminded her of the woman who brought it. Debbi's had a warm crackle glaze and Denise's had big bold loops that fell off the edges.in the dining room. e Tribes Casebook page 90 . heart-wrenching. all nicely nested. And Maria. sitting at the big pine table. brought handmade stoneware. She liked seeing them all stacked together. ey were raucous. Allison's was white china with a thin band of gold circling the edge. She ate her dinner out of a bowl because she had no plates. hilarious. the designer. showing both her generosity and her practicality.
Footballguys.com. helped a tribe form around them. ey still post on the board. e board subscribers quickly proved they were as knowledgeable. Internet Portals and even the NFL itself run fantasy leagues and tailor their statistics to the fantasy player. is rapidly growing pastime. thanks to the loyal and devoted tribe on the Footballguys message board. where people form leagues.com staff. led the transformation of fantasy football from an obscure hobby to mainstream pastime. the very best message board contributors were drafted onto the Footballguys. but offer their unique skills to the ever-growing list of paid Footballguys content.com message board: growing with your tribe Mark Dyck Summary: e story of Footballguys. e Tribes Casebook page 91 . e Footballguy's message board is the centre of the Footballguys universe. Joe Bryant and David Dodds have been part of the scene from the early days and their business. Fantasy Football was the exclusive domain of stathounds and football diehards.ten years ago. "draft" NFL players onto their teams and track their Fantasy progress alongside the real NFL games is now part of mainstream football. and certainly more specialized. e board has a life of its own. with deep discussions on statistics. Fantasy Football is huge.com is how two men created a space for NFL football fans to gather. of course! Over time. What to do? Well hire them. strategy and complex variations of the fantasy game. It wasn't always this way -. Guys who go to the NFL draft and live blog the whole two days.The Footballguys. Guys who scout college players to get the inside track on improving their fantasy team. than Joe and David. ey continue to thrive even with direct competition from media giants. then grew their business from within the tribe. Guys who truly believe the NFL season begins on the Monday after the Super Bowl. Broadcasters.
resulting in an extremely easy to use website given the huge amount of information that's available.' Ideas from the tribe are added to the site each offseason.000 subscribers will start the 2008 season. Footballguys. . Footballguys can get deep on a much larger range of topics.com . So what's to learn here? . No limit to the ideas coming in. It worked -.000 pages of content along with a set of weekly podcasts.While most Footballguys contents requires a paid subscription. Rather than sticking to a single site owner's 'secret formula' the value in Footballguys is the sheer breadth of material. Joe Bryant and David Dodds have gone from experts in the field of Fantasy Football to experts in the field of tribe management. and most of the content is created by message board veterans.before.over 31.By recruiting from within the message boards. is year.e scope of work these guys put out is amazing.e site itself is built 'by the tribe. HD videos and print magazine. During this time. for the tribe. the message boards are free.com will publish more than 50. The Truck Tribe Ed Welch e Tribes Casebook page 92 . . after and often during the game.Joe nurtured the tribe forming on the message board. the Footballguys message board is where the tribe congregates -. For the past nine seasons. running contests and moderating posts. No facet of the game is too obscure for Footballguys.
* It doesn't matter who gestures first. e Tribes Casebook page 93 . I wondered why these people were gesturing toward me. * Only the drivers are allowed to make this gesture toward each other – not passengers. I didn't really know any of them and they weren't my friends. It was like a dream come true. it's unusual for a family to not own at least one pickup. It didn't take long for me to discover a unique tribal ritual that I had suddenly been made a part of. Like other tribal rituals.as if to acknowledge each other's presence in the truck tribe. driving an attractive. full size pickup is as prestigious as driving a slick sports car like a Corvette. However. it didn't take long for me to realize I was now a part of the truck tribe and I had better learn about this ritual. this one has certain rules. After all. * You never offer this gesture to the driver of a car – unless that person happens to be your friend. At first I didn't get it. * Only full size trucks are allowed in the truck tribe – small trucks like Rangers and Nissans don't count as real trucks and you never offer them this gesture. * If you receive this gesture from the driver of a car – ignore it. For whatever reason. but you had better reciprocate – otherwise you're being disrespectful. In this part of the country. when two pickups are driving toward each other on a two-lane road or highway – the drivers usually offer a little hand gesture toward each other. Car drivers don't belong in the truck tribe. In fact. When I was seventeen years old – my parents gave me a full size Chevy four wheel drive truck. is isn't really a wave – it's more of a slight lifting of the fingers from the steering wheel – perhaps a show of respect .Growing up in the rural areas of Southeast Oklahoma you can't help but notice that there are as many full size pickups as cars. Being somewhat reserved and introverted – I was totally caught off guard by this ritual.
Search after search. objective information about buggies has proven to be very scarce indeed. Economists teach us that demand creates value – which is true but not the entire picture. they would direct me away from buggies they own – as they didn't want me to make the same purchasing mistakes they had made. For the first time ever – I began to wonder if Google would let me down. the value of this tribe was so impressive – I decided to join the tribe myself. and tribe members quite willing to share their objective opinions of various buggies on the market. In fact. Sure enough. A small dune buggy can be great fun for the family – I wanted one for mine. e Tribes Casebook page 94 . the gestures started where they had left off and I was officially a member of the truck tribe again. Looking over the contributions made by the tribe members – I located reviews of specific buggies.and reliable. Finally. Often. Demand didn't create the buggy tribe – yet this tribe does have tremendous value. Finding Value in the Buggy Tribe Ed Welch Recently.scarcity creates value . As Seth teaches us in e Dip . Having never purchased a buggy– the buggy tribe proved to be a tremendous source of value.a buggy tribe that hangs out at Buggy News. I was no longer a member of the truck tribe and the friendly gestures stopped.After I had owned that first truck for about ten years – I was forced to sell it and purchase an economy car. after a few days of research – I located a valuable tribe . found direction regarding which buggies to avoid. buggy after buggy – the choices were foggier and murkier. About two years ago – I was able to purchase a new pickup – a Dodge 2500 Mega Cab four wheel drive. I undertook the painstaking process of researching the dune buggy market.
Perhaps it seems "unhealthy" to look toward a tribal enemy as an opportunity for tribal growth . hats. Additionally. We proudly wear our colors on shirts. Having been a long-time member of the loyal tribe supporting the Cowboys – I've found consistent and common bonds with total strangers who share this dislike.if the Sooners didn't exist? How much greater is Google . jackets and more – almost inviting criticism from Sooner fans to further the bonding experiences we share with other members of our tribe.however. isn't the nature of business about competition and threats? How strong would the tribe of OSU Cowboy supporters be today . In a sense – this tribe needs and invites criticism from Sooners as it reinforces and feeds one of the foundations upon which it's built.Perhaps you can identify some well hidden tribes and tap into their value as I did with the buggy tribe? Tribal Enemies in Oklahoma Ed Welch Very little unites a tribe of Oklahoma State University (OSU) Cowboy fans faster than a shared dislike of our number one enemy – the University of Oklahoma Sooners. Leading Students of Diverse Ages in a University Setting e Tribes Casebook page 95 .simply because of the existence of Yahoo!? In what ways could your tribe leverage enemies and competitors to help it grow and become better united? Perhaps you could take a page from the playbook of the tribe supporting the OSU Cowboys and allow your tribal enemies to better unite and grow your tribe. I've seen outsiders join our tribe simply because of our shared enemy.
such as daily reports and filling out time sheets. 2) Always put their needs as students first He says to his student employees. the entire alumni site to build from scratch. but I will challenge you. Greg told him.smaller than most living rooms -. Typically. Go study. and then comes your work here -. As they need to e Tribes Casebook page 96 . and non-traditional students. and policies." 4) Let them learn on their own and find their own self worth Greg gives his student employees the least amount of information to start any project. the Colorado State University-Pueblo webmaster Greg Hoeck and his six student employees crowd together to make the university web presence work. 1) Lay out the University rules and expectations first Greg explains to his student employees that certain rules. but fully supports them. Family problems? Not a problem. Generation X. "You are going to either love me or hate me. Just let me know you need a day off. then comes your education. "First comes family. Greg has learned four hard and fast rules about extending and teaching his webmaster duties to a combination of Generation Y. but within these walls. He gave one sophomore student.Lori Hoeck e underground. who was knowledgeable but lacked confidence in that knowledge. He makes it clear to them that such work will always exists in the corporate or entrepreneurial world and to accept it now. You are here to learn. Big test you need to study for? No problem. windowless room -. but he insists they be done perfectly. Greg's beginning employees hardly know more than how to copy and paste. procedures.wouldn't appeal to many as a workplace." 3) Give them attainable challenges Greg empowers them in genuine ways to push the envelope of their skills.in that order. are extremely tedious. but most graduate with skills ranging from basic HTML to advanced CSS.
out of that. capable of capturing global imagination. F1 tribe's following is huge. F1 is a tribe that burns serious rubber. and graduates keep in contact with him. Unpredictability is the game in F1 and. including inviting him to their weddings. seniors invite him to their graduation parties to meet their parents. But if you are working on a big project. It's a pretty impressive tribal formula. just let me know you won't be in that day. morphing and adapting at speed. you don't even have to ask for it. Formula 1 is a semantic sports tribe. The Green Lights Are Out And All Systems Are Go Anne McCrossan Not every tribe needs F1's fast-track culture. not because 'this is your job and you have to be here. Greg wants their imagination and creativity to rise to the forefront as they figure things out -." e bottom line for this webmaster is that he wants people to work for him because they want to be there. and constantly. I will probably need you here. is way they learn and grow from an experience that will always be theirs and not something they heard in a classroom lecture. they can talk to either their peers about it or ask him for help. You can look at F1 as an adaptive e Tribes Casebook page 97 . "I want them to be there because the relationships among us all are solid. He says.ask questions.instead of them becoming learning zombies trained to do things as he does. And it just happens to make hundreds of millions of dollars as it goes. but F1 does represent many ways a tribe can get into gear. "If you need time off. He tells them.'" It must work because students keep coming back each semester to work. so treat me like you would want to be treated if you were in charge. Greg insists on one common denominator for the office – respect. To make these four rules work for him. it creates a fabulous show.
engine changes. Technological innovation drives change continuously too. is year. all 18 of them. In the last 5 years of F1.the car designers. pubs. But it was Bernie Ecclestone who brought the groups together to "hunt as a pack".intelligent entity that's continuously learning and flexing in changing circumstances. And there are rituals. Melbourne. sponsors. machine and method working as one. ere's a price of entry but no one ticket of entry. Every race. the pit crew. drivers. Bahrain. and this is no static tribe. pit crews. engineers. A new wave joins and leaves the tribe in each F1 location. A distinctive aspect of F1's character is that it takes itself to its audience. e F1 tribe has different leaders who look after different aspects of the sport. spraying champagne unites. Tribes within tribes. sitting at the pub TV watching. each team member is critical. individually and together. constructors. Canada. Different identities sit within this tribe. to perfect the combination of man. e rules change every year. en they take the race with them to coffee bars. It's logomania actually but it works. test drivers. race drivers. Monaco. When Ecclestone bought the Brabham team in 1971 he gained a seat on e Tribes Casebook page 98 .everyday. and as individual pieces of the whole. F1 can be fluid because it has a powerfully strong sense of identity and purpose. All people make big contributions upping the ante in the relentless forging forward of the tribe. Racing teams. cheering and recharging the visceral energy of the F1 tribe. Every track. technicians everyone . for example. basic set-up have all had to be re-visited. Brazil is different. Fuel loads. day after day. Race-makers and race-goers get fired up and then move on. strategies are re-calibrated second by second. manufacturers. It's in its DNA. Everyone in this tribe plays a large part in their own right. It's intelligence standing up. globally and locally. Every tribe in the group knows that it's this spark that's created off one another that ignites excitement in their audiences and that works for them. the street circuit of Valencia was untried and Singapore's Grand Prix happened at night. People have to show up . testing and qualifying rules have changed before every season. F1 pushes the envelope. all co-exist and do their thing.
People here have worked the fields for more than a century. the quilters of Gees Bend had a vision of what they could achieve and became masters in creating both short and long term value for their tribe. Finally. one of the most poverty-stricken areas in the United States. e quilts they've made together meet intensely practical needs . Many still carry the slave owner's name of Pettway. As Wikipedia puts it. all systems are go! From Homespun To High Art Anne McCrossan Gee's Bend. put there to keep their homes warm. Without any pretense. It's design that's often been inspired by the newspaper collages dressing on the walls of the rooms they live in. 'Previously the circuit owners controlled the income of the teams and negotiated with each individually. very isolated until the mid-1960s. comfort and security.' However. it's a race that evokes the visceral energy from the fans and participants alike. e Quilters of Gees Bend's innovative and often minimalist approach to design is unique. And in doing so. Every time when the green lights go out. People who have little learn never to waste a thing. these women used their ingenuity in many ways to solve the puzzle of how to survive. ey've also celebrated the aesthetics and the culture of the tribe itself. deep in Wilcox County. as Bernie's tribe they raced ahead to prosperity.warmth. With cotton crops failing and little money. working together as a collective to think about the best way to go about what they do. most are descendants of slaves from the original plantation. e Tribes Casebook page 99 .the Formula One Constructors' Association and in 1978 became its President. e Quilts of Gee's Bend were created by a group of impoverished women that came together out of bare necessity. Even today. is situated within a large loop of the Alabama River. they turned homespun into high art as a tribe.
e goal is to look at what other people are doing." ese quilts show how necessity.an example of the self-questioning tribe that gets results. It's been a conscious initiative passed down over the years. It didn't happen simply because women were sewing cloth and came up with something that was beautiful or unique. What came out of Gee's Bend is not accidental. to show how well you can duplicate the pattern. She was amazed when people first came to her home and saw art. Arlonzia Pettway's mother made a quilt in 1942 out of her husband Nathaniel's old work clothes. you know what I'm going to do? I'm going to take Nathaniel's old clothes and make a quilt out of it. change colors. ey embraced day-to-day life with all its hardships. substitute materials. Cincinnati Broomball e Tribes Casebook page 100 . improvise on it. As John Beardsley." Arlonzia kept the quilt for its family meaning. ey can achieve remarkable variety within a very limited means and within very restricted patterns. "Lonnie. to make a quilt exactly like everyone else's. is regenerative aspect of the tribe has been an important one. meaning and creativity are at the core of a really strong community that can make its mark as a tribe. the goal is to follow the pattern. make it your own.' at's what makes these people so special. in some way. And she said. e New York Times called the quilts "some of the most miraculous works of modern art America has produced. the curator of Gees Bend Exhibition puts it. a cumulative statement of heritage. the goal is exactly the opposite. change it. 'In a lot of quilting traditions. In Gee's Bend. where I can remember him. purpose. e goal is to break the pattern. Every quilt is a different artwork in its own right. He had passed away that year.
the CBA generates a small amount of revenue to cover referees and equipment. who modified their brooms for a harder shot and attached sponges to their shoes for better traction of the ice. local professionals braved the cold weather to play this unique sport. so the CBA secures the lowdemand slots on Sunday evenings at the historic Cincinnati Gardens during the winter and Northlands Ice Skating Rink in the summer. With live announcers and instant replay on the big screen overlooking the square. During the last two years. and other wintery-type countries. Players run on ice controlling a grapefruit-sized ball using their feet and a "broom" while attempting to score in oversized nets.Brian Kaeppner is is the story of the Cincinnati Broomball Association (CBA). friends and relatives to grow the league. If you live where lakes never freeze. How Broomball started is a question still debated to this day. Ice-time is expensive. Also in 2007. a group of alumni banded together to form the CBA in 1992. e CBA's main function is to purchase blocks of ice-time from area rinks. the CBA has over 250 members with a few of the original die-hards still playing over 16 years later. the Dayton Broomball League (DBA) formed. Some say it began with Canadian street-sweepers. It is a cross between hockey and soccer played on ice. In 2007. a non-profit organization dedicated to growing the sport of Broomball in the Greater Cincinnati area. As of March 2008. A popular intramural sport at Miami University of Ohio. the CBA has experienced a surge in membership. Operating year-round on a minimal budget. is core tribe enlisted dozens of their co-workers. the fact remains that Broomball has evolved into a highly competitive sport well-known to folks throughout northern USA. While Wikipedia tells a different story. the Fountain Square Broomball League (FSBL) was started by the Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC). due to increased awareness generated by new leagues. this is probably the first time you've ever heard of Broomball. modeling itself e Tribes Casebook page 101 . Canada.
is that though I created. there was a really bad scenario. Want to play? 5000bc. e success of Cincinnati Broomball can be attributed to passionate & voluntary leadership.com ey acted as guides for new members that joined. we remained focused on the integrity of the game while keeping it fun & approachable for new players. Since it was on a proprietary software. So what is unique about this tribe. In our early days. the CBA leadership team made a conscience decision early on to foster and promote the formation of these leagues. We shared insight on game regulations. Yes. ey created screensavers for 5000bc. In some cases. and took all the articles and all the data. It's specifically designed to be a tribe. And was always set up with rules and a 'bible.' So first you have to get the 'Brain Audit' before you're a member of the 5000bc tribe.How A Tribe Pitches In To Help Sean D'Souza I run a tribe at 5000bc. is means making it easy for people to learn & love the sport of Broomball. both externally and internally. they even uploaded and downloaded files to our server. we viewed the FSBL and DBA as partners in our goal to grow the sport of Broomball. we were in a jam. And most importantly.after the CBA.com. there was a lot of work done by the tribe themselves. we had to build the website from e Tribes Casebook page 102 . we had to trust each other a lot to give the 'keys' to the server. While technically "competition" for dollars & interest.com. Internally. because the entire membership site crashed. ey volunteered to do transcripts for audio interviews. It is certainly a one-of-a-kind experience. us. league management and advertising.
. Her gray hair frames a petite face wizened by timelines. And congregated in the waiting room. When the site went back up again.5000bc. e group consists of young women in their mid twenties. But it's her eyes that draw you in. ere is no set meet-up place. be kind. ey created a waiting room. this task of mending lives by hand. Eyes which have lived in many eons in the course of a lifetime. but the core guiding principle of the tribe at http://www. She is shy and painfully reserved -barely making eye e Tribes Casebook page 103 .com is 'be helpful. But. is is ultimately the groups' primary mission. eyes which are clear and bright.. It does not have a specific organized agenda. not one person asked for their money back. I provide the leadership and the information. On the contrary. which gives an profound glimpse into the power of communal grace. e tribe was without a 'village' for over 17 days. or begone. Eyes around which smile lines crinkle a welcome to her little flock of students. e tribe runs on the power of the members. Word of mouth is the primary method of invitation.fleshly indentations created by laughter. worry. we got offers for help. and who knows what else.' The Yellow Rose Tribe Lola Audu It's an unorthodox business. the leader is an unlikely shepherd. Agnes is not young at all. So here's what they did. Unlike most of the members of the small tribe. It is from their experiences with this unlikely tutor that many of them will learn a most important lesson. it is the groups experience with a lady whom I shall call Agnes. Or complained. And. ere is no formal process of induction.scratch.
overseas missions. Over the course of a couple of years.. by little. And yet. So Agnes becomes a staple of the weekly tribal gatherings. her flock must not merely brush against Agnes in passing. As we bid Agnes farewell. e tribe now understands that it's never too late to engage on a journey of new beginnings. Most of them have seen her. the Shepard knows that to fully mature. Prior to this. barely eking out a meager existence. her insights and comments even when given in a halting manner are full of wisdom. e members of the Shepards' tribe are somewhat surprised when Agnes joins the group. she opens up to share her story. husbands and babies. we are reminded that although the yellow rose bids adieu.. e Shepards' wisdom has led the flock aright.. Tailgating with the Cleveland Browns Bonnie Diczhazy e Tribes Casebook page 104 . We have walked alongside one who through brokenness healed us all. ey silently wonder why the Shepard has extended this unlikely invitation. e young women in the group have lived too little of life to know what it is to be broken.. At one of the last meetings.new careers. eyes are wet with tears because we know we have witnessed a miracle of beautifully mended life.. Little. Surprisingly. She earns her keep through substitute teaching.contact even when comments are directed specifically at her. *is case study is about a small group of women during the early 90's in a mid-sized church in Grand Rapids. it also ushers in opportunities for the joy of Celebration and Life Changing Adventures. Michigan who were mentored by a women we called 'the Titus' lady. Employment opportunities eventually emerge and finally a sponsorship enables her to return back to her first love. We have lived the lesson of the yellow rose which is that life can bring us a fresh start at anytime. ey are on the beginning stretches of adult life. but few have initiated personal interaction. they need the experience of knowing.. Agnes begins to emerge from her shell. Agnes had lived and worked overseas.
because they love the team. wear war paint and chant while at the same time use iPods. fans and comrades. People from the East Side and West Side come together and share burgers. hot dogs and ribs on grills set up right next to their cars. strangers. Now first let me tell you that I'm not a tailgater. Now doing these three things on their own does not necessarily create a Tribe. Complete strangers will offer you a beverage and a burger. I am however a life-long Clevelander and its' become a pastime of mine to observe this Tailgating phenomenon on the local news from the comfort and warmth of my living room. the camaraderie and the snow. For instance it seems the only requirement for membership is to 1) Show up before the game in a vehicle 2) Wear Brown and Orange and 3) Have food (this is a big one). I am completely fascinated by the tribe dynamics. but also in December. No wonder the Tribe wears knitted brown and orange full face hats! Tailgating Tribes have been a fixture in this country for years but I challenge anyone to find one as cohesive and dedicated as the Cleveland Browns fans. I challenge anyone to stand for 10 minutes in a parking lot with the Lake Erie snow machine whipping winds in your face at 40 mph. Clevelanders are a pretty friendly bunch and showing up for one of these pre-game festivities make you an automatic Tribe member. It's a Tribe. ey are friends.I'm not sure about how Tailgating works in other cities but here in Cleveland Tailgating has become an art form. I'd sooner wrestler an alligator then spend the day at a football game. You get bonus points for wearing face paint. Despite a rather dismal few years Browns fans are loyal. How loyal? ey not only tailgate in August. ey create fire. e Tribes Casebook page 105 . decorating your car or having a cool nick-name. e tribe is both ancient and modern. Why. It starts in August when the Cleveland Browns take the field for pre-season and ends in about late December or early January depending on how far the Browns go in the play-offs. Bluetooth Technology and Satellite Radio. So what does? e fans. rooting for the wins and sharing the losses.
e Tribes Casebook page 106 . Paul Wong created a movement during the 2007 season and the Warriors adopted his "We Believe" as their official playoff slogan.WarriorsWorld.. e site is free and the founder just asks for donations and has a few banner ads.ah. is tribe benefits from the vital tribal component of common experience. One of the forum posters. What makes it special is that people like me. e site receives so much traffic during the night of the NBA draft that it shuts down.. player trades.. the smell of potential). Well.. is tribe experiences things together. however.. It turns out.. a tribe of scoundrels and malcontent Warriors fans can begin to have some voice. and the excitement in the game. I'm drawn to the speed.fans who keep a close eye on all developments. that I'm not alone.have made it their own.. e format is simple and the forum technology has been around for years. to be much more specific.with Paul's blessing! Most of the bay area journalist that cover the Warriors check the forum. rumors. I have been part of a fiery and vibrant online tribe for the past several years made up of people like me. etc. the site is invited to have a representative at media day events.and there is nothing I can want to do about it. the skill.... I spend hours and thousands of dollars each season to watch/attend many of their games each season. and I am very sure that the Warriors marketing dept for has someone monitoring the forum daily.net Forums Parker Patton David Stern Has Me. I'm a huge fan. As it turns out. such as games.people who have passion the Warriors. Despite the fact the team has not won a championship in three decades and has no immediate prospects to do so again (lots of young players on the squad.the technology cannot keep up with the tribe. the Golden State Warriors have me.
there were two major problems. But. Back in the late 80's to the mid 90's. because the fee schedule of services was so high and private health insurance policies in Hawaii was void of chiropractic benefits. e Tribes Casebook page 107 . infrequent poster. Honor Box Chiropractic Reed S. and making a small annual donation. the insurance companies. of course. Shiraki. the chiropractors in Hawaii made big bucks taking care of only two types of patients: those filing work comp claims and those filing no-fault claims. Many chiropractors in Hawaii made it rich by (over)billing these insurance companies and receiving fat checks in the mail. Most chiropractors back then didn't give a rip about ignoring 99% of the local population because the 1% of the people on the island they did see in their office allowed for such nice compensation. ese "sister" sites are for teams that are much more popular and widely followed in the Bay Area (Giants and 49ers). anyone else who wasn't a victim of a work or car accident injury had a difficult time starting and sustaining chiropractic care. Why not? it's because those fans have not made these forums "theirs" and the tribe has not formed.An interesting thing is the founder of the site has also set up a few "sister" sites for other Bay Area Sports teams with the exact format and technology. e guys paying for all the chiropractic care back then were. First. If you are not a passionate Warriors fan you won't be very interested in this semi-lit corner of the web.C. D. but I'm sharing it as a case study of an online community tribe that has organically formed and has thrived. I have no connection to the site outside of being a lurker. but there isn't nearly the activity on their forums.
e Honor Box System is a simple way to overcome all financial obstacles that may prevent a patient from receiving the full benefits of chiropractic care. many chiropractors closed shop-. So at this time when I started my practice." In 1998. ose that decided to stick it out were forced to adapt to life without the huge insurance checks. partly in response to gross over-billing. e main problem I had with this was the way many chiropractors were charging their new patients $2000-$4000 up front as a pre-payment for a year's worth of spinal adjusting. e standard adjustment fee is $40. there was a growing shift occurring among local chiropractors from an insurance based practice to a cash practice. as it is with many individuals and families in Hawaii during these challenging times. the Hawaii State government passed a law limiting the fee amount and the number of visits a chiropractor could bill for the treatment of certain insurance cases. With strict limits as to what they could charge and how much they would get. they would eventually kill the "golden goose. All Hawaiian Pacific Chiropractic patients have the right to set their own fee after the first visit.And the second problem. I believe chiropractic is not a luxury. then this is what should be paid. I started the Honor Box. So one month after the 9/11 tragedy. When the new law passed. if the standard fee is too e Tribes Casebook page 108 . all of a sudden the money stopped rolling in. It is a health care necessity.retired or moved to the mainland. when Hawaii was truly feeling the economic repercussions of the day. all patients must privately examine their own financial situation and if paying $40 for their adjustment is affordable or if one of the pre-payment programs is within their budget. is meant that many who could not afford this one time payment denied themselves of chiropractic care or those who were desperate for chiropractic care and did not have the cash on hand would go into debt to do so. However. It was a tough time for the profession. Me? I graduated from chiropractic school the same year the law went into effect. However.
hosted by a remarkable group called e Beautiful Foundation. Great name. which was a second hand clothes and goods shop that raised money for charity. On the other. It is my purple cow. One of the things they had done was to create ' e Beautiful Shop'. People that remember poverty but now e Tribes Casebook page 109 . We do not track. all patients may pay a lesser fee using the Honor Box. In Korean. reasonable.expensive and my pre-payment programs cannot fit into their budget. actually mean the full amount that we can embrace in our arms. But it was a concept that provoked some resistance. I have aggressively marketed the Honor Box since its inception. such as a big tree. Tribal test: would you lie to save your friend? Mallen Baker A couple of years ago I travelled to South Korea to speak at a conference on corporate social responsibility. I was invited to the event as a leader of the worldwide tribe of people committed to the promotion of social responsibility in business .an ally for them in the promotion of ideas that are counter-cultural in one of the most tribal of societies. I was a complete outsider from a completely different tribe altogether. Why? is is a country that only within living memory clawed its way out of poverty. My ideavirus. I saw evidence of both during my days there. record or monitor what gets paid into the Honor Box. e concept is very well established in the UK with a number of charities such as Oxfam and Help the Aged running shops across the country. one of the words. even outrage in Korea. e Honor Box fee is decided by the patient at whatever amount which he or she determines to be the most honest. for whatever reason. and affordable amount that gets as close to the $40 standard as possible. Areum. When you add Daun. you arrive at the 'proper amount of richness or affluence for one person'. Honor Box payments are made anonymously. On the one hand.
I tried desperately to come up with any answer more profound than "it's a good thing". When I visited the shop. and encouragement. this was also a very different tribe. say of course they would .this person is my friend. To praise a group member in front of the group is to single them out. and told the group how well this individual had looked after us. we would not . the TV cameras were there to celebrate the first anniversary of this strange phenomenon. both groups take the others' answer as a sign of their untrustworthiness. One of the young women that worked for them showed us foreign speakers around. e first question: "What do you think of sharing?". they didn't sell that particular book in the airport at the UK!). As it was. Ironically. At the end of conference celebratory dinner. I should have praised them. and I wasn't well enough prepared. the group is all. I found out why when reading the etiquette book on the flight home (of course.that it is good to share with those less fortunate . I did what I would always naturally do. I embarrassed her and her group. Group oriented cultures. But the idea of the shop . Embarrassed looks all round. e rules are different. individualistic cultures like the US and UK tend to say no. It all depends what the rules of your tribe are.enjoy affluence do not buy second hand anything. would they lie to save their friend? Rules based. e Tribes Casebook page 110 . I was interviewed as the visiting guru.and what's more they have no right to ask. and what a credit she was to e Beautiful Foundation. and made sure we were OK. if they were the only witness to an accident where their friend was driving too fast.was one that they promoted with gusto and they looked to me for ideas. for being wonderful hosts. I was very well hosted by e Beautiful Foundation. not her. But ultimately. with Korea right at the end of the scale. Fons Trompenaars illustrates the differences well when he asks audiences across the world whether. In Korean (and moreso in Japanese) culture.
We did our best to convince the members of our group that college could be about more than classes and parties.The power of crazy Sean Johnson When I was in college. A surprising number of students bought into the vision. Classwork became opportunities to create things they'd be proud of long after graduation. We hadn't the slightest idea how we were going to accomplish it. at literally nothing was keeping them from doing amazing things that would not only guarantee a great job but would lay the foundation for a spectacular career. We resolved to help every member (about 70 of them) find a job or an internship.once it was down on paper and announced to the group. picking their brains on what makes a college student stand out in a sea of sameness. in stark contrast to the drab PowerPoint presentations of their peers. But something interesting happened . but a mental shift took place. our marketing student group set a ridiculous goal for itself. they were submitting designed. "the pursuit of interesting projects" and "selfless networking". We didn't have a plan. ose conversations turned into a series of presentations on "image management". Honestly. eir presentations were like agency pitches. ey started taking class projects and transforming them into "portfolio builders". "We're insane" turned into "we can figure this out. e Tribes Casebook page 111 . bound pieces that more resembled annual reports than semester papers. While other students were turning in vanilla papers." e group officers started having lunch with local professionals. it became real. it started out as a recruiting tactic.
We would have had a couple speakers. Israel. In the end. And their future careers benefited. not everyone found a job or an internship. they transformed the group in ways we didn't even expect. a few parties and students would add another bullet to their resumes. If our goals were more "realistic". ey built a database of industries members were looking to work for and contacted local companies in those industries. or if they were interested in creating one. at's the power of a big goal. Germany. and the US. and post experience students from the University of Cambridge. postgraduate. We were six undergraduate. none of that would have happened. I joined a tribe. And it gave the organization a vision that actually inspired our members to change who they were. More importantly. A few members won the school's case competition. We were from England. postdoc. It was amazing to watch. finding out if they had internship programs. We had all studied completely different e Tribes Casebook page 112 . some students weren't interested. But many more did than would have otherwise. It led to ideas we never would have thought of otherwise. Greece. Setting a crazy goal forced us to think bigger.. How big is your tribe's vision? How can you make it bigger? Ex Libris Jens Lapinski In 2002. We won 8 awards at the national conference. ey brought in comedians from around the country for a contest to raise money for charity. Australia.But they not only transformed themselves. they developed new habits .they learned to think big.. As much as we tried. ey started a non-profit ad agency. One of our graduating members won the school's award for student leadership. to be creative and make things happen.
e hiring criteria were simple. We celebrated ourselves all the time. free coffee and free pizza. During that time. Who would excel at what they did. and loyal beyond what is usually considered normal. What mattered was what Kjell called the 'Umph': "Make shit happen!". you realized that Kjell was an extraordinarily sharp thinker. We covered over 1. We had enormous fun. ere was enormous pride in the tribe. To grow. We were proud of the work that we were doing and proud to be part of the tribe. there was plenty of beer and wine. measuring some 10 by 10 feet. and then did an MBA at Cambridge. then spend time as a strategy consultant and working at DELL. Our mission was to write profiles and review all the technology start-up companies in the Cambridge Cluster. He could also drink more beer than two of us combined. We needed people who had an interest to learn. It was building a database of start-ups. We were extremely selective. the team became a tribe. Who had a deep interest in tech start-ups. When people didn't perform. very hard working. We had a computer and telephone and that was it. He was a former reconnaissance officer in the Norwegian Army. e rest are working in dozens of companies across virtually all industry e Tribes Casebook page 113 . e spirit of the tribe that was formed in the early days of Library House has outlasted any individual team member who left. for however long in the night we wanted. Kjell formed us into a tribe. We were looking for very smart people who could make it happen. e company was based in Cambridge. And yes. UK. He had the habit of putting so much snus in his mouth that he couldn't talk properly. later twenty people. had visited Wharton as an undergraduate.000 companies in 9 months. they left. how much we wanted. Of ten people who applied. We worked whenever we wanted. We all joined the new research associate program of start-up called Library House. e tribe grew rapidly from five to ten.subjects. less than one got in. because they loved doing it. We were put in a boiler room. but grew up in Norway. Kjell was born in the US. We had never really met before. I think the youngest was 22. Provided you did understand what he was saying. too. the oldest 30. and how we wanted. e leader of our tribe was a guy called Kjell. We got free drinks. Some tribe members have formed companies together.
available to members and most posts to the public as well. started just over 2 years ago. from casual to deep caring. it has developed great relationships among the tribe. ran with it. Many are phone relationships as well. Because Active Rain has become part of their lives. Some of the more active tribe members have actually joined the staff at Active Rain. ethics and interests. We are all Ex Libris. developed either at Active Rain gatherings around the country or through individual travels and arrangements to meet. Regardless of what we do. now numbering about 103.000 members. the bond of the tribe still connects us. Some of the relationships are mentor-mentee. skills. rough posts and comments the members often get a sense of the writer's personality. And many are in person relationships. review situations. and have watched it grow and thrive. Why are individuals blogging and commenting during the wee hours of the morning (still up. or a hurricane. or early rising) as well as throughout the day? Because they're passionate. And we still celebrate that whenever we meet. Apart from being an excellent source of information and dialogue. evaluate tools. some are combinations of all three. The Active Rain Tribe Sharon Simms Active Rain has been an extremely successful tribe. some are personal friendships.many call e Tribes Casebook page 114 . Many are online relationships. or a bridge collapse . ere's so much more: when there's news of a forest fire. It's an online real estate blog. share expertise on software and on blogging in general.sectors. Certainly tribe members share their real estate experiences. e development of the Active Rain tribe has been viral and snowballing. ere is something that we share. some are colleagues. Founders Jonathan Washburn and Matt Heaton had a creative and valuable idea.
ere are no fees to join. Some of the experienced players and leaders of the Tulsa gaming tribe wanted to see how we play locally. Oklahoma. ose who truly get involved get the most benefit. but lots of informal ones as well. During the convention we ran the Legend of the 5 Rings (L5R) Live Action Roleplaying (LARP) game. as well as the confidence of knowing a client will be well taken care of by a respected and trusted colleague. As members attend a conference or course in an area. and plan to get together. Something you read on Active Rain or in a newspaper or magazine will cause you to pick up the phone and communicate with a member that you care about . ere's money to be made from referring business to each other. Not only are there official tribe gatherings. at's part of what a tribe's all about.each other to find out how a particular tribe member is faring. an oriental adventure game set in a fictional feudal Japan. they'll often call an Active Rain member that they know in the area. I was inducted into the leadership of Stillwater's gaming community. e game ran smoothly while generating a lot of interest from new players about roleplaying games. of course. What can the others do to help? Is sickness or death a concern for someone? Others are there to help. When one is traveling on business or pleasure. no requirements to stay a member. and arrange to meet.or just someone you want to get to know. ings are looking e Tribes Casebook page 115 . Many members share in the successes and events of the others' lives. ere's also money to be made from the public reading these blogs. they'll often inquire who else will be there. We went to Tulsa to generate interest in our gaming convention in Stillwater. and contacting the member to represent them in a transaction. We went to Tulsa. learning about the community that someone is serving. ere's a business benefit. Oklahoma for the Tokyo in Tulsa convention. Rise and Fall of Rome in Small Town America Eric Baudais is past weekend.
It was a symbiotic relationship which worked well for many years. Meanwhile. Half of the store was dedicated to the games we played there. Oklahoma. remembers being at the store from Friday afternoon until Sunday night playing Warhammer 40.000 with few breaks in between.good for StillCon. e store was Ivory and Steel and it was heaven when I went to college. One of the big events the store ran was a gaming convention for over 10 years. He almost drove the store into the ground until he hired a recent college graduate. e town folks ran the store and some of the games while the students became the players for the games and bought the books and equipment to play. One of our current leaders. the internet was gaining momentum and the store had trouble competing with Amazon and eBay for the student's business. loving roleplaying games and opening a gaming store in Stillwater. You see. named after the store. Originally it was based on the games ran by the store. While having good business skills. is case study is about the rise and fall of our gaming tribe in Stillwater. But I should start at the beginning. to run it. My story starts with a couple. Mike. We are trying to revive it and morph it into "StillCon". John was a fellow gamer from the "old days" but didn't understand business nor how to handle conflict. For many years. ey cared for and nurtured the games. Stillwater is divided into two main tribes. Peter and Penelope. Mike. Peter and Penelope left Stillwater and John bought the store from them. ey realized the games were the service they provided the community which supported the store. Peter and Penelope were more than the owners though. So the tribe became self-sustaining with the students playing the games. So the roleplaying game store is still out of business in Stillwater. e community started to fracture. having fun and buying stuff and the town folk working the store and the games for the students to have fun. Eventually. e store combined both worlds. Eventually the store went out of business. he lacked conflict resolution skills. ey were the "old folks". People started to spread rumors about Mike being a nasty guy and the store lost new business and interest from the students. It was called "SteelCon". his decisions pissed off several leaders within the town's gaming community running the games. One is the students who attend Oklahoma State University (OSU) and the folks who work in and around the town. We are trying to make it community based and play games the community enjoys. Mike is still the leader but he now has a wife and a few children who have improved his conflict resolution e Tribes Casebook page 116 . Mike ran the store as manager for several years. e gaming tribe is well on its way to coming together and being rebuilt. We came to them with our problems and issues in our games and they would help us resolve them.
and photo archives featuring smiling little kids who had received treatment were all helpful in creating a bond. mainly over the Internet or by word of mouth. e Tribes Casebook page 117 . the common origin is becoming aware of congenital heart disease (CHD) through Dr. He also has recruited several gaming leaders from the community to help plan and run the convention. volunteers and donors epitomize them. saving the lives of children born with heart defects.Mani Sivasubramanian. Ancestry of a tribe can be genetic .ancestry. Many early tribe members are business owners who first heard of the doctor through his articles and reports on building an Internet business. A tribe of supporters. The Heart Kids Tribe Dr. e ancestry was intentional. and growing. community or cult is the triad of A's . Association and engagement of tribe members is the next important facet that nurtures and nourishes the tribe. an email newsletter sharing heart-warming stories of families helped through their donations. and are making the dream of an Indian heart surgeon come true. In this case. because the strategy all along was to 'reach the people who could reach many others'.or intellectual. keeps it going. association and agenda. cheaper and faster than any other alternative.Mani Sivasubramanian What sets a tribe apart from a group. A blog where updates were posted for all tribe members to follow progress. We don't have nearly all the factions in Stillwater but we hope a convention will attract them and we can unite the gaming community again around the fun games we play. Doing this on the World Wide Web was easier.skills.
mentioning the tribe's work on their online property. What matters is that it is growing . Tribe heroes are showcased to the others. social networks and blog comments. Purpose. Donors and supporters are proudly acknowledged and valued.Discussions among tribe members spilled over onto public forums. Purpose in every activity. and typically drives 10. explicit. February 14th is observed as a 'Day for Hearts'. Passion. but certainly runs into thousands. tribe members add trickles to the flood. And even during non-event periods.000 within 24 hours. buzzing about CHD. and grew the tribe organically. in influence.the brave little warriors who battle their heart birth defects. Persistence. and in reach.in size. both publicly and in private communication. e energy with which tribe members get behind any initiative to spread congenital heart defects awareness or raise money to fund operations is inspiring and exciting.000 or more visitors to the awareness website. and deeply satisfying keeps the tribe integrated over years. e annual Heart Kids Blogathon raises over $15. Passion for helping unfortunate children from under-privileged backgrounds is the shared force that pulled the tribe together. e size of this far-flung. reaching a fresh. or even in private conversations with family and friends. entirely new audience. What makes it happen? ree P's. event and communication that is clear. displaying button ads on blogs and websites. Focus is however always maintained on the real heroes of this story . worldwide tribe is difficult to measure. Agenda is where this tribe excels. e Tribes Casebook page 118 .
Basically the community sets the date. wordy works. sub par merchandise and worst of all a really tiny ad in the newspaper. reaching out for a seemingly hopeless dream. 3 Flintstone mugs. big. On to the sale…you must have stuff. ey were impressed and amazed. Serious buyers are early birds and no one likes to wait! Another must is having a spectacular ad. I had mayhem. For instance. spurred on by knowledge that the end is worth the wait are traits that each tribe member has internalized.Persistence in achieving the goal. no one can read an index card taped to a fire hydrant! For some reason my tribe of neighbors didn't get the garage sale handbook or if they did they chose not to read it because the first year no one followed the rules. With the three A's and the three P's. a lighter and your grandmother's bowling ball won't cut it. People had haphazard signage. but most of all I had customers! Soon other members of the Tribe were flocking over to my yard. gets a permit and places an ad in the newspaper. My front yard looked like an episode of Sanford & Son (I had the antiques and the junk). I put my own huge ad in the paper and festooned the area with balloons and signs. How did I do it? e Tribes Casebook page 119 . lots and lots of stuff. bold. Now I'm not sure how garage sales work in other parts of the country but here in the mid-west people take these sales very seriously and there are rules. People will turn on you if only have a few items out and no one wants to see an angry tribe of buyers. Queen of the Garage Sale Triiibe Bonnie Diczhazy For the past few years our neighborhood has been hosting a community garage sale. if you say you're going to open at 8am then open at 7am. And for goodness sake have good signage. Each homeowner is then responsible for hosting their own garage sale on their property. ANY tribe can survive and succeed. I however thought ahead.
What was my secret? I shared my knowledge, I became the leader. I was the garage sale Queen. Since that first year we gained a small local following and now get regulars. We've now got a great tribe of buyers and sellers. I myself have scaled down a bit and don't have the notoriety I once had. New Tribe leaders have stepped up and now wear my crown. I still have stuff, but not as much stuff as I used too, mainly because I've sold everything and am trying not to acquire more. I'm actually a reformed pack rat and my dirty little secret is that I was the Garage Sale Queen of my old neighborhood too. I never had any intention of becoming Queen of the Garage Sale Triiibes, it just sort of happened...a momentary blip. It wasn't rocket science. I didn't solve world hunger or win a Nobel Prize I simply lead a Tribe of people who needed a leader. I was the Tribal Queen for a day. Sometimes it's as simple as that.
Pamela Waugh I joined a great Tribe in 1971 – International 4-H Youth Exchange Alumni. is is a Tribe of Exchanges who represented their county in an exchange program to promote Peace through Understanding. Each person traveled from their home country to another country - this first started just between the USA and other Countries. While in that country the Exchange would live with rural families in the host country to learn more of their ways and to let them get to know more about the person they were hosting. is was for a period of from 6 months to 9 months originally but then some programs only went for about 6 weeks. Starting as a program associated with 4-H because it was supported and organized through the Agricultural Extension Program based at Land Grant Colleges. e details have changed about participation through the years but the main focus has always been Peace through Understanding. is tribe started in 1948 by exchanges taking part. is is a tribe that is ongoing with various persons as the
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leader as they are able, have renewed interest, and can meet together. e tribe supports the program that produces the tribe's members through monetary contributions, guidance, and training. Newsletters and e-mail are means of updating information nationally for tribe members. Many states have their own division of the larger tribe who may meet more often than once a year for formal meetings. e IFYE Tribe is a state of mind as well as a formal organization. Participation begins for many reasons but the participants learn the natural goodness of everyone. ey believe in the inherit love for other human beings regardless of politics and country barriers.
First Tribes Matter
Bonnie Diczhazy I'll bet one of the most important times in your life was high school. Be it good or bad we seem to be able to recall the smallest details with vivid recollection. I remember who was best friends with who, the smell of the cafeteria, school dances, teachers…I may not think about it everyday but it's all stored up there and can be recalled at a moments notice. Your class is one of the first Tribes you'll remember. It's been 20 years now since high school and my Tribe is spread all over the world yet we are still able to connect via the internet and our Tribe is still pretty much the same as it was 20 years ago! We're a little older, wiser and grayer but we still can laugh about gym class, Honors Biology and the dress code. We have fond memories and tribe loyalty. First tribes matter, they shape our lives and determine our future. Whether it be a high school, a first job, your first car or even opening your first checking account. People remember their first experiences. What if companies focused on giving people fantastic, memorable first experiences? On the flip side what happened the last time you had a horrible first experience? Did you stay in the Tribe or run the other way?
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Squandering your Tribe
Rob Chant In the late '90s, I discovered a mind-opening record label called em:t (yes, that's meant to be a colon). is was before the days of easy access to the web and social networking. I found them on one of many forays into second-hand music markets and the like. e albums seemed rare; little did I know at the time, but the label had gone out of business just as I found them... hence the scarcity. Skip on a few years, and you find me searching for em:t on-line for the first time. I found a fan site, and, much to my enthusiasm, discovered a thriving tribe of hardcore em:t fans. I also discovered the label's history, got in touch with some of the original artists, and discovered just how much second-hand em:t CDs cost on eBay. rough this fan site, I also managed to get on board with the re-launch of the label, doing branding, design and marketing (they happened to be based quite near to me). is was in 2003. And this is where the care study starts properly. e management of the new em:t had little or no connection, attachment or interest with the original label. I was stunned. ey were sitting on top of an absolutely amazing, committed tribe of fans, and yet most of the label manager's sentences used to being with, "It's great to have lots of fans already, but..." He also took pains to point out that the original of the word 'fan' is in 'fanatic'. I guess that demonstrates his attitude pretty well. I could understand the new team wanting to put their own mark on the project, but I did fight hard at least to keep the old branding and work with a lot of the original artists. Even trying to keep the brand and overall aesthetic relatively pure was a hard task (the original label had been very strongly branded, and that branding was a very strong part of the cult around the label). e new manager only really wanted one thing from the tribe he had inherited -- to buy the records. And he wasn't
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willing to do anything for them in return. So what's the moral of the story? at it's possible to take a really strong tribe that someone's carefully built, and squander it within just a handful of product releases. So be careful! e new version of the label folded pretty quickly, needless to say, and everyone was left with a pretty bad taste in their mouths (especially the fans themselves). In retrospect, there's so much that could have been done to build and reward the tribe, especially that the web was now a big thing (it's amazing the following that the original label had had, given they had no web to help them build it). ere was a huge amount of promise there that went to waste.
More than running
Claudia Rosani Few brands have the following that the Disney brand does (with supporters all over the world). Few individual sports have the social side that running does, with clubs everywhere and runners always happy to offer help and advice to others. It was only a matter of time before these two worlds collided. For over 15 years now the Walt Disney World marathon in Florida has been a popular event, garnering more and more participants every year. It probably started out as a way to increase revenue in quieter months of the year (the marathon is in January) but has grown to become a whole weekend's worth of events for the whole family, including 5K family races, a half marathon and the ever popular diaper dash for the littlest ones. is is a great marathon for beginners because the course is easy, the supporters great and photo opportunities abound. A couple of years ago someone had the bright idea to put together a website that talked not just about Disney, but about
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He has a mental capacity the equivalent of a child less than a third his age. is is a tribe in the truest sense – where everyone shares not just a passion for running but a passion for Disney. Outside of the camp I have no contact with David. as he cannot walk for more than a very short distance and then only when aided by someone sufficiently strong to support his not inconsiderable bulk. Just eight days a year I spend time with him. He is bound to a wheelchair. have no idea what to expect or how to best prepare for the race. I see David once a year when he joins our annual summercamp for mentally handicapped youth. e Tribes Casebook page 124 . vowel-heavy but clear voice he said "I cry because I am happy. After all. So where could a Disney and running fan get his fix? Disneyrunning. I walked up to him. and all the fun things the camp provides. shorter races just for women and many others. but also what running trails are the best ones and where everyone shares training plans and works together towards the main goal. gave him a gentle hug and asked him why he was crying.running at Disney. showering. ere is a shared goal and clear leadership and is everything a Disney running fan needs to feel supported and ready come race day.com was born. help him with clothing. having never done one before. is site now boasts a very friendly forum where people can not only discuss what is the best place to stay in the resort or how to best purchase attraction tickets." David is 30 years old and both physically and mentally handicapped. eating. David and I Barry Adams ursday afternoon of the 2008 camp week I found David crying in a corner. the company had expanded to other events including triathlons. moving around. In his usual stuttered. e site has become Mecca for all those newbies that sign up for the marathon and.
Outside of the camp David and I cannot be friends. our friends. In our daily lives we are both a part of different tribes. David cried on ursday. we'd created things together. e camp is organized by a tribe of volunteers that comes together specifically for this purpose. It had been a fun week. I work in high-stress corporate environments. He often comes home for the weekends where his parents smother him with their wellintentioned care. I cried with him then. ere are some bonds among us outside of the camp. I have trouble finding the right balance between work. We'd sung and danced together. We have shared something that most people would find hard to understand. as many volunteers are drawn in through friends or relations. our employers and all of society place on us. We were tired from the exertions. but as a whole the group is barely connected. family. I have a demanding but fulfilling long distance relationship. unshackled from the constraints that our parents. and it binds us on a level that transcends the boundaries of conventional friendship. our families. Yet David has had such an immensely positive impact on my life that I cannot call him anything else but my dearest and closest friend. We are free to be. Yet we are all exceptionally close friends. When corporate environments intrude upon the realms where David and his peers reside. because he was truly happy. friends and my partner. a very intimate tribe formed by an annual life-altering experience that is exceedingly difficult to explain. living in our own magical realm for one week. We are free to be who we want. because his happiness made me happy. we'd shared jokes and laughter and solved puzzles and overcame challenges. We're secluded from the Real World. Our worlds are not compatible. wittingly and otherwise. David spends most of his time in a specially adapted home with a handful of other handicapped people and a small 24/7 staff of medically trained professionals. with lots of great activities. tribes that very rarely mingle. e Tribes Casebook page 125 . As a result I spend no more than eight days a year in David's company.e camp is a magical environment. a few days before this year's camp ended. it is often staged and permeated with poorly concealed discomfort. Outside of the camp most of the volunteers rarely see each other.
a loving family and a strong relationship." We were poor then . I thought I knew what happiness was.they're stiff. ere was just no time. en one day I came in from school to see her ironing sheets and I asked her why. She put fresh flowers she picked from the yard in a jar by the bed. I watched.. line-dried sheets have one thing going against them . thin and light is just right. to wrap round your shoulders in the coolness of a summer morning when a blanket is too hot. David's tears of joy represent the apex of my own personal fulfillment. She ironed the sheets. e Tribes Casebook page 126 . But that moment of shared happiness with David. Ironing the sheets Becky Blanton On any summer day in the south you can still see them flapping in the hot breezes or hanging limp in the mid-day swelter. Grandmother didn't get anything special in terms of food or accommodations.bedsheets drying on a clothesline. and all the preceding moments throughout the years I've been a part of the camp. Jealous. inviting. But for all their freshness.. But when I was 8 years old my mother went to work to put my father through school. to iron my own sheets. surrounded as I am with material wealth. ey billow and snap and soak up the smell of sunshine and fresh cut-grass.but sad that it was going to end so soon.. She placed the nicest and biggest towels on a chair by the bed.my dad in school. but my mother did what she could to make her comfortable. "Your grandmother's coming to visit and I want her to to sleep well.. a wonder to sleep on. After a proper ironing line-dried sheets become the thing of childhood dreams. but a sheet. To bring out all that summery freshness line-dried sheets must be ironed. Only 8 years old I was too young. And she stopped ironing the sheets. she thought. mom working two jobs. Ironing breaks the stiffness down so they become soft. have truly taught me what it means to be happy.
As I grew up I noticed if you spent the night at a Motel 6 or the "Dew Check In. I still remember this no matter where I go and as silly as it seems. It was a small touch. At home I use a hot dryer and if I get them out in time I rarely iron sheets anymore myself. "Wow. my brother and all the ironed and un-ironed sheets that have gone before me. ey haven't had time to get "broken in" yet so I started to just throw them back in the dryer." Yet such a simple thing shouted (in my mind) quality and caring. Clean maybe. thanks for ironing the sheets." was a high compliment. I thought of my grandmother. Giver's Ego and The Lesson Chef Keem e Tribes Casebook page 127 . So I ironed them. Chaos. No one ever got up the next morning and said. who was given my bed. I sure slept good on those freshly ironed sheets. My brother and I eventually made a joke of it. e visiting cousin who was "living in sin" with his girlfriend didn't get ironed sheets. because he couldn't remember how to get to his own home didn't get ironed sheets. e uncle who came in drunk at 3 a. She ironed the sheets. But I wanted to get to bed and the iron was already set up." or "Gee. Not everyone got ironed sheets. And from my mat on the floor I could tell his girlfriend.Over the next five years that's how we knew company my mother cared for or wanted to impress was coming. I don't run a hotel." chances were the sheets were not ironed. But at any Five Star hotel or even at a small hotel where the managers care . didn't get ironed sheets either.the sheets are ironed. but not pressed." Passion.the sheets are ironed. I listened to the steam hiss and watched the fabric billow and then buried my face in the warm softness. it's how I feel welcomed and pampered . but I have now vowed to resurrect the phrase and to start looking for ways in my business where I can "iron the sheets. my mother. But today I pulled a new set of sheets out of the dryer where they sat crumpled all night.m. It set the tone for my brother and I. an intimate and private one. He got the couch and a sleeping bag. "She's worth ironing the sheets for.
e lensrankings will increase and provide her with extra royalty income. walls. she lives on a small monthly income and can't afford fixing her home without financial help from the outside. Within a few hours. at gave me some ideas: 1. comments. We'll create a new page called "Lensmasters helping Lensmasters" and introduce a new recipient of our tribal love for every following month. over 70 people left comments like "count me in". and positive ratings. Several of our more seasoned members voiced similar concerns: What if other folks feel that they are just as deserving of our support? When will it be their turn to receive some attention? Who will decide which lensmaster should be the next squidlove recipient? e Tribes Casebook page 128 . 2.One of our most popular fellow Squidoo lensmasters reported in the "Chatter Box" of the SquidU forum about her extensive losses through severe storms and flooding in her area. e Chaos HQ informed me that a "ratings parade" cannot be officially supported . We all flood her Squidoo pages with visits. "how can we help more". Many comments in the forum offered emotional and spiritual support. We'll feature her PayPal address so the tribe can contribute directly. e Passion e energy in the forum was amazing! Everybody got excited about helping our friend. and so on. Hundreds more viewed the forum posts and acted on our call without leaving comments. 3. I emailed to HQ and some of our community leaders with a request for support. e damage to her property's floors.lensmasters showed that they care. plumbing and electrical burdened her with the prospect of expensive repair bills.it would not be fair to other lensmasters. As a disabled person. "I'm on board". A tribe emerged .
Without these organizational safeguards the danger of premature burn-out is imminent. Why should it be so difficult to help our friends in distress? Do we really need a bunch of rules when there is obvious passion and willingness to contribute? (If it's too hard I'll give up. with all our brilliance and weaknesses in the same mix. e Tribes Casebook page 129 . Our lensmaster friend received a number of donations along with a slight increase in royalty payouts. rules. Joy Shultz is such a leader. rather than pick and choose monthly candidates who might not even be comfortable with all the attention directed toward their personal issues? e Giver's Ego I must admit. honestly . and discipline.Shouldn't we better wait for an organic emergence of our "next case". at's why we need guidelines.being the initiator and leader of such a successful and passionate movement feels good. At the same time. Adrenaline flows.Joy Shultz Jaguar Julie Mary Kay representatives are some of the most determined triiibe leaders that I think I've encountered.) e Lesson A tribe is made of human beings. leadership. FEMA acted quickly and provided additional funds within days from the date of inspection. Synergy? A Mary Kay Senior Director -. We need to recognize our limitations but soar with our possibilities. and any attempt to slow us down feels like "rain on my parade".
.' P. She worked up the ranks to become a Senior Director after recruiting women as reps. In the United States. More than 33.4 billion in wholesale sales. to ultimately one day become her own 'leader of a tribe. more than 14. e Tribes Casebook page 130 .not just to earn that car. she will probably be banking the monthly allowance rather than taking the car. I think that's why she has been so successful at selling.to be successful and earn a living. but never went for the pink Cadillac.and even did a 'purse party' coupled with her Mary Kay merchandise. Joy -. Oh. I've attended numerous Mary Kay functions which Joy organizes -. My husband has known Joy for probably more than 20 years and will tell you that she is the LEADER in the family -. FL who became involved selling Mary Kay many years ago when she left her job as a female executive with Wachovia Bank. I think I bought some Mary Kay merchandise that night! Ah. In 2007 sales of Mary Kay® products reached $2.000 women have attained this goal.Joy is a Senior Director here in Jacksonville.000 women across the world have become Independent Sales Directors.that she is used to being the director of more things than Mary Kay.. She was accustomed to being a leader at the bank and naturally assumed such a role with Mary Kay. the highest status within the independent sales force.S. e Independent Sales Director works with the women that she has recruited to help make them more successful . She has earned a variety of cars throughout the years.the eternal sales person. it's a rare occasion. When you can get Joy away from her Mary Kay. Since that time. I first met Joy 8 years ago while tailgating at a Jacksonville Jaguars game. e picture of the two of us was taken at a New Year's Eve party. Mary Kay is not for everyone -. She's a born leader who is creative and has that drive and determination to go after her goals -. is year. it really is necessary to become a 'leader of a tribe' so to speak. Approximately 500 women worldwide have become Independent National Sales Directors.
either designed or made accidentally can bring people together and glue them for a long time. At the end of the program. You don't have to spend money e Tribes Casebook page 131 .but the time we spent since then makes most of these guys my best friends up until today . a program which takes two weeks. I think that an intensive event. I went with about 5 more kids from my school to the training program. Nothing substantial connected us besides that two weeks of training we did together . each bringing his own group of additional friends. and I had the opportunity of meeting a lot of other kids from other schools from around Israel.I like inviting them over for dinner and cook. e training itself was intensive. e guys from my hometown became my best friends since then.Junior travel guides Tsahi Levent-Levi When I was in the ninth grade. they were the people I wanted at my wedding. they were the people I wanted next to me when I was told my father passed away. going to the movies or to the local pizza place. scheduled parties with no good reason and more. We did large birthday parties. we cried from having to leave each other. e purpose of this is to train kids to become travel guides and then send them off in school trips of lower grades from school. our school offered some of the kids to go to a training during the summer vacation to become junior travel guides (it has a better name in Hebrew).we don't really share interests. We ended up hanging out on weekends in groups of more than 20 kids. we have occupations . assisting teachers and external travel guides during the trips. including 10 more guys from my own hometown but from different schools.
there was a specific community and people would arrange to meet friends at my stand. Many stayed for a coffee. e Tribes Casebook page 132 . cars decreased from 40 to 3 within one week – you can't be part of a farm gate tribe if you don't buy anything. I now recognise that the most important thing is to keep people in my tribe. e demise of this side of my business was sudden and shocking. no tribe. to lower the bar so that people can belong just because they want to. ey no longer have to prove their membership by spending time or money. but only by stopping thinking of my tribe as primarily a source of income can I garner the community to make the business succeed. en. an increase in mortgage interest rate coincided with a hike in petrol prices. on providing a great product. ey stopped coming. in August. Of course it will need to be a much bigger tribe to work out financially. Over the past year I have found that it is preserving the tribe that matters most. I had worked on having fantastic customer service. By Friday the tribe had no money left in their wallets – no £5 for a treat. wandered round the cutting garden. people have to make difficult decisions and it is often the personal treats that get cut first to balance the budget. but people were either in or out of the tribe – and when money became tight people had no option but to leave. no business. In this financially difficult time. My tribe was easy to identify – it was the 40 or so people who drove up every Friday and bought themselves flowers for the weekend. It made me think about how I had created a tribe which seemed welcoming but where you couldn't actually belong if you didn't spend money.Jane Lindsey Up until 2007 I was a seller of home grown cut flowers at the farm gate.
Such groups can change the world. And e Tribes Casebook page 133 . competing for activists. Journalist Michelle Gratton described them as "one of the big innovations of the campaign. only the second Prime Minister in Australia's history to do so.org. e parties themselves had long-since ceased to be a forum for debate or citizenship. funding and attention." In 2005 the need for this new locus of activism and involvement was starkly apparent. Progressive organzations were siloed into exclusive areas of interest. a progressive website based on online activism model first exemplified by MoveOn. their tiny membership focused almost exclusively on internal battles and turfwars. many of them getting involved in politics for the first time.au Tom Dawkins In 2007 in Australia 12 years of conservative government came to a dramatic end in a landslide that saw even the sitting Prime Minister John Howard lose his seat. But let's back up a bit and think about where GetUp! came from and how and why they so quickly grew to such influence. GetUp! was founded by young Australians Jeremy Heimans and Dave Madden in early 2005. at organization was GetUp!." GetUp!'s success during the 2007 election is testimony of the power of tribes which choose to act on their values and beliefs in coordinated ways. As Jeremy says "we saw an opportunity to bypass all those calcified institutions and create something that created power and influence that could help change the country in a much more organic way. fueled by the energy of thousands of activists. or just shy of an astonishing 2% of the votingage population of the country. Amongst the organizations who could take their share of the credit for this stunning result there was one which stood out for the grassroots and distributed nature of its contribution. Fresh from involvement in online activism during the 2004 American Presidential elections they saw a need to create a platform for new voices and a new type of activism in Australia.org in the US and which by election day had over 230.000 members.GetUp.
GetUp! was able to draw these people together into a critical mass by offering a single location where people could easy get active on the issues they care about. and they think in terms of multi-issues. making it by far the per-capita largest such group in the world. GetUp! succeeded because it met a strongly-felt need. not issue-driven. doing their bit to bring about a new beginning in Australia's politics. Australia had seen huge spikes in activism around particular issues. It is unsurpassed for ease and convenience. donate money and give their time both online and off. During the election they raised over $250. who sign petitions. As Gratton observed "the net helps overcome the financial and geographic disadvantages suffered by small. BURNING MAN e Tribes Casebook page 134 .000 in 72 hours (more than a dollar for each member!) to put a climate change ad on air. Aboriginal Reconciliation and against Mandatory Detention of refugees." GetUp! has grown in reach and influence due to the energy and activism of its members.455 members. As of writing (August 15 2008) GetUp! now has 283. forward them to friends and donate money to fuel campaigns. On election day hundreds of them volunteered in the Prime Ministers seat and were credited for his humiliating defeat. the Iraq War. given this sense. people found they wanted to promote this opportunity to others. and it did so with very low barriers to participation and in a way that emphasized the network effect of its members. e key insight of Jeremy and Dave was that people are values driven. ey letterboxed and handed out voter information. unfinancial and scattered political groups. but so long as you agreed with something you became part of the tribe. And. but these spikes came and went without coalescing into something bigger. provided with regular opportunities for participation and a sense that your voice mattered. You didn't have to agree with everything GetUp! campaigned on. for people to express themselves on and make a contribution to changing the direction of the country.no-one was doing effective web-based organizing.
Describing Burning Man to someone who has never been is nearly impossible. literally the second biggest city in Nevada for the week it exists. "Mutant vehicles". e "man" being burnt grew to 15 feet (4. Burning Man began as a bonfire ritual to celebrate the summer solstice on a beach in San Francisco in 1986.000 participated in the event. Larry Harvey and Jerry James built a crude wooden effigy which was burnt during the event.Tom Dawkins Burning Man is unlike any festival you've ever been to. and hundreds of venues. reaching 10. For the five years following the attendance doubled every year. and no promotion. Clothing is optional and strange and e Tribes Casebook page 135 . Attendees are required to bring in everything they require. cruise slowly around with thousands of people on bikes darting around them.000 by 1997. It takes place in the middle of one of the harshest deserts on earth. cars and buses converted into mobile works of art. Burning Man is a true community. no headline acts. Everything is given away. many of them interactive and designed to be climbed on or played with. Ten years later over 47. ere's nothing on earth like it. It was subsequently re-assembled and taken out to the brutal Black Rock Desert to be burnt at a seperatelyorganized event focusing on situationist art and performance. It has no line-up. By 1990 there are 500 people on the beach and the event was shut down by police without the man being burnt. in temperatures which often head over 100F (38C) by day and drop towards freezing at night. And yet it pulls 45. ere's a functioning postal service and airport. with no food stalls available when they don't feel like cooking and not even a bottle of water for sale. Fun was had and they decided to do it again the next year. Vast and tiny works of art dot the desert playa. and a place where people are bound together by the elements. play a bewildering variety of music. gift giving and a shared love of art and expression. In 1991 the first official Burning Man festival took place.6 meters) in 1987 and 40 feet (12 meters) in 1988 while attendees increased from the initial 20 to 200. there is no vendors or commercial operations allowed.000 people out into the middle of nowhere for a week. from giant cats to Spanish galleons to the Jawa Sandcrawler from Star Wars. all organized by attendees. It's a vast city layed out in an orderly clock face structure with named roads.
communal effort. the performances. e Tribes Casebook page 136 . and we know that it is almost time to go home for another year. commitment. there are no spectators. to bring everyone together and allow this expression to take place. on the Saturday night of the event the man. It's impossible not to be effected and inspired by contact with this ethos." Hardwired Becky Blanton e need to be in a tribe isn't limited to status. talents and spirit of the community that creates the event. As Burning Man says. It works because people subscribe to a set of shared values: self-reliance. Belonging is hard-wired into us. the art." But they're also the kind of values that create community. the platform. these days towering at over 70 feet (22 meters) high and accentuated with neon tubing. civic responsibility and leave no trace. the "organizers" simply create the space. dedicated to making Burning Man more sustainable. and it is the energy. only participants. income level or occupation.wonderful performances are around nearly every corner. And yes. you begin to understand that there's an enormous appetite out there for a kind of community in which culture is created. But we take so much away with us. self-expression. entirely user-generated. Sound familiar? It's festival2.0. As Harvey has said "If you look beyond the horizons of this world we've created here. Camps range from art galleries to music venues to mini golf to pizza kitchens. gifting. burns. participation. Everyone comes with gifts to share. from regional burns to Burners Without Borders who engage in humanitarian and community-development work to the Cooling Man organization. Larry Harvey has described these as "the kind of values a community creates. Burning Man has also spawned a range of spin-off and affiliated communities. and it feels like it. ey (we) bring the music.
Yes .. An amputee with a leg lost to a freight train after she mistook a train yard for a bedroom early one morning. HIV cocktails. a glob of potato salad or macaroni. wrapped around an infant whose mother had simply tossed its dirty diaper in the street. is went on for four hours. face grimy with weeks of unwashed dirt. addicts.. Joyce still soldiered on from her wheel chair outside Denver's homeless headquarters. It just involves more waiting.a sandwich. "Gotta match? Gotta cigarette? Joe I gave you some of my crack last night you owe me a cigarette. a ratty scrap of a blanket. is was the only time of the day they were all together and it was almost safe to do so. tribal leaders emerge.m.if only to stay warm for the night. the walking dead and the criminal . Her empty pant leg dragged the street as she leaned forward again and again to reach for a cigarette. she wheeled her wheelchair up and down the line of homeless people. e cigarettes that disappeared under her thigh would reappear slyly. start forming at 5 a.even a tribe comprised of the mentally ill. the mentally ill and the morally bankrupt and plied her skills." In filthy purple sweatpants and sweatshirt.anti-psychotics. scratch their crotch. 10 minutes of cajoling and wise cracks managed to produce a half a pack in spite of his initial pleas.her tribal skills. She stopped fights.Lines for free meals start forming at 10 a. e Tribes Casebook page 137 . the addicted. anti-depressants.m. for the noon lunch . Joyce none-the-less ruled her "tribe. but it showed me that even when people can't sink much lower in life the drive to belong to a tribe . for doctors who arrive at 9 a. stared down men four times her size as she rolled along." When Joe claimed not to have any. Lines for free medical treatment . She was not waiting for medical care. the connecting. We still need to belong to something .is there. the barter. fed for the day or to be needed for a smoke. a piece of fruit. the networking and support were probably 90 percent self-survival driven. e rag of a blanket she had begged from a man lying in his own vomit turned up minutes later. Up and down the line she went. food. A self-proclaimed "crack head" and admitted addict. But when the doors to the free-clinic finally opened Joyce disappeared.collecting cigarettes. almost magically when someone else needed one. Being homeless doesn't mean you don't have a schedule any more. howl or simply stare while they wait. But even among the down and out. recently released prisoners. She was tending to her tribe.m. Joyce did. usually in longer lines and usually with people who talk to dead relatives. calmed tears.
Rodney's Got Nothing On These Guys
Dina Amadril Business Credit Managers are the Rodney Dangerfield's of the corporate world. Management loves the Sales Man and discounts the Credit Manager who handles a company's second largest asset. How do these valuable workers get some respect? ey join together to share their best practices online and mentor each other on the anscers Community. ey don't take to it naturally, numbers are their game and it's taken a while for this tribe to warm up. Now at 1091 strong the tribe still has many lurkers, and orbits around one knowledgeable tribesman who has posted over onequarter of the responses. Michael Dennis, CBF the knowledgeable tribesman, encourages others to post and become involved. A 20 year veteran of the credit profession he educates and mentors professionals online and in-person. He reached Super Mentor status quickly and many others have done the same. It is a no frills ride online, just business – an emoticon here or there –they are here for the data. How can you help me, and can you make it fast because my boss is breathing down my neck. ey use the classic version of UBB software which focused heavily on the conversation, not so much on the profile of who is talking. Participants gain status as they post and share their experiences. ey disagree often especially about cash. Since these are people who handle disagreements about payment all day long the Community clashes are no big deal. Many Business Credit Managers enter their position without the training needed for the job and the anscers Community becomes their trainer. Reaching out with questions no one at their company could begin to answer, they wait for a response. Here comes a response from Michael Dennis, CBF (does he ever sleep) and now more from other Super Mentors. By day-end
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they have a plan; they have the support of the Community behind them, and their ready to take on the discounters. e anscers Community was started by CMA Business Credit Services back in 2001. It has taken 7 years to get good traction and now the Credit Professionals dedication to each other is paying off. To visit the anscers Community go to: http://community.anscers.com/community/ultimatebb.cgi
Bi Poly Kinky Pagan Gamer Geeks
Pace Smith When you live an alternative lifestyle, you often feel marginalized. When you live six alternative lifestyles all at once, you often feel completely isolated and alone. Can you imagine my surprise when I created an online community for bisexual polyamorous kinky pagan gamer geeks and had over a thousand people join? "I can't believe there's a community for people just like me!" new members often say. Just in case you're not amazed enough by that, let me put it in a global perspective. To pull a number out of the air, assume that one out of twenty people in the world identify as each of those adjectives. One out of twenty people identifies as bi, one out of twenty people identifies as poly, etc. If these groups were independent, that would mean there would be less than one hundred bi poly kinky pagan gamer geeks in the entire world, not even taking into account how many of them never even heard about the online community! Obviously, the groups aren't independent. But why not? Sure, some of them make sense, like "bi" and "poly". Perhaps bisexuals are more likely to be polyamorous, so they can have relationships with both genders and/or sexes without resorting to serial monogamy or cheating. But even if that makes sense, what about "pagan" and "geek"? I would have thought that the overlap there would be almost as small as for "stripper" and "nun".
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I'd imagine that pagans would generally like to be out in nature, and geeks would generally like to be inside on the computer, so that makes me think that a pagan would be less likely to be a geek, and a geek would be less likely to be a pagan. Despite that, it turns out that if you're both a pagan and a geek, you're much more likely to be bi, poly, kinky, and a gamer. Imagine you're at a con or a game store and you meet someone who's playing a board game with Icehouse pieces. What's the chance that they're a bi poly kinky pagan gamer geek? You'd think it would be pretty slim, because bi poly kinky pagan gamer geeks are so rare, right? In my experience, it's about a one in twenty chance, and about a one in three chance that they're at least one of bi, poly, kinky, or pagan. (Gamer is a given, and geek is unsurprising given gamer.) But why? My theory is this: the owners of the company that makes Icehouse games live alternative lifestyles themselves, and so the games spread largely via social networking. Since tribes stick together, Icehouse fandom stays largely "in the family". When people join enough of these alternative tribes, they sometimes blend together into a kind of meta-tribe. Instead of identifying as "bi" and "poly" and "kinky" and "pagan" and "gamer" and "geek", they simply identify as "queer" or "freak" (a word that's being reclaimed these days). Like draws to like, whether it's a tribe or a meta-tribe. Queer freaks will go to great lengths to find each other, and once we find each other, we tend to stick together.
The Butterfly Effect
Becky Blanton Tribe member Joe Noonan looks back on a man who had a tremendous impact not only on his life as a young man on a baseball team, but as an adult. Steven Jobs most telling story during his commencement address was about his birth mother
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and his adopted parents. e people in my life touched and molded me and impacted me greatly as well. And the thing is, it hasn't stopped. e phenomena is called " e Butterfly Effect" - a belief that a butterfly's wings flapping eventually create a typhoon that hits land on the otherside of the world. It's a principle that viral marketing - or all successful marketing is built upon - one small thing leading to another, and another. A snowflake by itself weighs nothing. Put it with a ka-trillion others and it will collapse oak trees, roofs and any structure known to man by its sheer weight. Most of us know who Rosa Parks is and how her refusing to move to the back of the bus sparked the Civil Rights movement, but how many of us know that she was not the first African American to refuse to move to the back of the bus. Ten years before Rosa Parks took a stand, baseball legend Jackie Robinson was court-martialed (and acquitted) for not moving to the back of the bus. Robinson, a second lieutenant at the time, was on trial not because he had violated any articles of war, his attorney told the board, but because a few officers "were working vengeance against an uppity black man." All charges were dismissed, and several months later, Robinson received an honorable discharge from the Army. But the butterfly's wings had flapped and ten years later the winds of a typhoon called the Civil Rights movement began to stir. "A life is not important," Robinson said, "except in the impact it has on other lives." How true. Some of us, like Joe and myself and many others here, can identify the butterflies who stirred the wind that moves beneath our wings. Others only know they've felt the breeze and puzzled over the events in their lives that seemed to be a "stroke of luck or fortune." And while we all have been touched by the butterfly effect - sometimes we forget that all we do creates our own breeze, or typhoon. It doesn't take much. A careless remark, a timely compliment, a smile, a welcome, an insight, an email or an invite for a cup of coffee. ere are many ways to stir the winds of change. How will you start?
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Bonnie Diczhazy created the inspiring lens "Over 50 Ways You Can ' Change e World' Using Squidoo!" donating all proceeds from the lens to Operation Helmet. Supporting the Troops is an example of the kind of synergy that can happen when three different people come together to support a common cause and how the strongest. She had already created e Tribes Casebook page 142 . e seed for the idea of supporting Operation Helmet was planted over a year ago as Achim iemermann listened to Al Franken discuss the tremendously efficient non-profit organization on his radio show. Bonnie Diczhazy and Kirsti A. Dyer's seed to support the troops was planted as a medical student working in Veteran's hospitals. Dyer. e best ideas often involve contributions from different people to create a synergy where the sum of the parts is greater than anything each person could have done on his or her own. Franken's plug generated donations to save lives for the thousands of desperately needed helmet padding upgrades for our troops. at seed of an idea lay sleeping until July 2008 when the Squidoo Activists Group was founded to unify charity-minded lensmasters to raise funds for charities.Project Help Triiibe. Dyer MD. Two fellow Squidoo Activists. most devoted tribes are often forged from friendship and loyalty. Sensing of urgency and the need with Operation Helmet combined with their loyalty to a friend. Achim immediately thought about adding Operation Helmet to the list of the Squidoo Charity recipients. Bob Meaders and Squidoo NonProfit Organizer Anne Reidy and Achim's seed of an idea began to germinate as Operation Helmet was approved as a Squidoo NonProfit. MS e inspiration for remarkable projects is often planted as seeds from unexpected sources. these women quickly became part of a passionate tribe formed to support the troops. Dr. MS were nurturing idea seeds of their own. A few emails to founder Dr. Project Help Triiibe. Supporting the Troops Kirsti A. Achim. MD.
loyalty and a common urgent mission. another Squidoo NonProfit that supported the troops. Bonnie's post inspired Dr. Once the Triiibe was up and running. did a wonderful job filling up left field. three different seeds all came together. Bonnie Diczhazy . ree different people.Support the Troops Group / Fundraiser.squidoo. I sucked. Bonnie posted the thought provoking question. but when it was time to hit the ball.Over 50 Ways You Can "Change e World" Using Squidoo!. e Tribes Casebook page 143 .com/groups/support-the-troops Achim iemermann . http://www. I looked great in uniform.squidoo. http://www.com/Change_the_World_Squidoo Kirsti A. http://www.squidoo. reflecting on them inspires us to further their legacy. Dyer – Project Help on Squidoo.com/operation-helmet A PITCHER OF HEROS Joe Noonan Everyone's had a special mentor growing up. Dr. Dyer to create the Project Help Lensraiser on Squidoo. "Project Help: Can a Triiibe change the world?" on the Triiibe discussion board to encourage Triiibe members to become part of the passionate tribe to support the troops.several lenses to support Soldier's Angels.Operation Helmet. formed a strong tribe and created the Project Hope Triiibe to Support the Troops. forged by friendship. http://www. I hated organized sports as a kid. as an ongoing fundraising effort for Operation Helmet within the Squidoo community. Dyer approached Achim about encouraging the Squidoo Activists to hold a fundraiser for the troops and then created the We e People – Support the Troops Group to benefit Soldier's Angels and Operation Helmet. e worst was baseball.squidoo.com/project-hope We the People .
he was pitching them to me. everyone would gather at a field in the pines for a ballgame. "You're dead!" to someone swinging from the gallows. mostly just to get it over with. delivering exactly what they needed. Time and again. I forget what he looked like. how were you supposed to figure out which ones to swing for. But somehow. An old guy. the whole game. I'd swing so hard my hands hurt. And then he pitched. Every night after supper. I got mine.I'd stand there palms sweating. I was drooling by the time it got to the plate. I'd freeze. what a gift he gave. And then the judge's inevitable verdict. 'til I went. he pitched fast balls. Every kid who ever picks up a bat deserves that chance. e Tribes Casebook page 144 . staring the pitcher down. and which ones to let pass? Towards the end of the season. To the older kids. and we did what he said as he lined us up and made teams. but that flying white nut eluded me. I got to feel the wonderful 'kerthunk' as the mighty bat in my little hands creamed that ball. I knew I could hit. I was mystified. e old man was a master. I knew it was in me to slug that ball way out into the outfield. Later that summer I stayed at a friend's camp. "You're out!" Duh! Like shouting. He pitched to everyone where they were at. It was an awesome sight. What made it special was the pitcher. It didn't make any sense. when it came to little league. He was 'pitch perfect'. All I needed was a fighting chance. To both teams. kids six to sixty. He threw that ball so slow and sweet. Seemed like a stupid idea to me. he ran the show. with all those grownups taking everything so serious. I'd swing at just about anything. I don't remember his name. for he pitched to hit. And by the end of the two weeks. Boy. but I'll always remember his pitch. but would become terrified as the ball came whizzing at me. and thanks to him.
building tribes where everyone is equal and has equal access to resources is the foundation of my work. You gauge the other person's coolness factor. My then-boyfriend actually left the room when we were watching the first dvd with another friend.He was a Godsend for me. well. Creating a safe place for people to open and take risks.. mutuality and inclusivity. you show your colors. (btw. appeared at a difficult time in my life when nothing made sense and I was tribeless.. He gave me respect. you automatically feel a tad closer to him. The answer is 42 . we were equal players in his tribe. but I could quote "One ring to find them all and in the darkness bind them" ages before the movie came out. I am talking about the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy here) When quoting from books. Very much an us/them thing. Obviously. And if that other one actually gets what you are saying. or you hadn't. your affiliation. You had either read the book. Powerful stuff to a kid of any age. regardless of age or skill. you have something in common. and everything".tribal language Gila von Meissner " e answer is 42" must have been one of my all-time favorite sayings. If that someone had answered with "the question to life... that saying became a tad less "cool and nerdy" once the movie came out. I might have married him the next day! Anything Star Trek or Star Wars-related always went right over my head. Such is the power of one person's tribal leadership. reading e Lord of the Rings >30 times does that to you. because we insisted on pitching lines back and fourth the whole time and discussing missing scenes. Just by showing up. e Tribes Casebook page 145 . what kind of person you are. He profoundly influenced my life. the universe. in a way. movies or tv.
ey attract more of the same. then you were in extremely good company. In Delta Kappa Epsilon. If you were a member of this tribe. fifteen men formed a tribe which has had a remarkable affect upon the world. omas Landry and no less than five former presidents. Each tribe has its code.talking in code makes you feel clued-in. part of a community that outsiders just don't get. In 1844.the unknown element of "narrativium". So what does YOUR tribe do to lower or raise this language hurdle? How easy or difficult is it for Newbies to understand your tribal language? How aware are you of your tribe's own language? Should you offer a dictionary when new guys enter the tribe. in online communities. in sports clubs. the founders created a new sort of fraternity. Who knows what I am talking about? I will befriend you immediately! :) Language is a huge part of a tribe's identity.P. ey created a fraternity which valued gentlemanly e Tribes Casebook page 146 . James Gamble (P&G). including the incumbent. Morgan.My current favorite . or is the language hurdle part of a first test to see whether they are "worthy"? The Rise and Fall of Kappa Delta Epsilon Richard Millington Tribes are genetic. I bet even church groups have abbreviations and a vocabulary that outsiders couldn't possibly understand. More of what they do. It happens at work. Members of this tribe included J. its abbreviations .
one alumni planted a Delta Kappa Epsilon flag on the moon. If the tribe says it's going to develop tomorrow's leaders. not run wall street tomorrow. e problems began with the 60s youth awakening. e tribe attracted members that wanted juvenile hazing practices. it's going to attract the top party-goers. It attracted people with the characteristics to succeed in their careers and help others. ey wanted to enjoy themselves today. Soon the parties became too extreme for even the most hardened revellers. At the base of it all e Tribes Casebook page 147 . scholarly ability and "Jolly good fellow" above all else. now dreamed of bigger and better parties. Take that China! ey were one powerful tribe. alumni worked together – always helping and pushing each other to achieve greater success. Legislation was passed. "mutually beneficial" purpose. drinking competitions and the best parties. A tribe attracts both more of what it does. A membership which one dreamed of being tomorrow's business leaders. but throws the best parties. Chapters were closed. it's going to attract tomorrow's leaders. It's genetic. e fraternity thrived for 120 years. ey had their pick of a very creamy litter. e quality of members got better and better. For over a century.conduct. a tribe develops towards its actions. Some rose higher than others. alcohol poured forth and throwing bigger and better parties than rival fraternities became the raison d'être It soon became genetic. Membership dropped. e tribe rigidly pursued an ambiguous. is purpose became genetic within the tribe. e fraternity bonds continued beyond the dormitory walls. e tribe attracted the top party-goers. but successful. Today the tribe lives in the shadow of the prestige and power it once had. Juvenile hazing practises crept in. not future presidents. If a tribe develops tomorrow's leaders.
(1) fear (2) need (3) belonging (4) exclusivity. (3) Belonging. IF you don't own this. If you are not desirable. (2) Need. our values. We have Boy Scouts. Belonging = fitting in either through identifying with other tribal members in values.. (1) Fear . church. but follow the logic. Attack from other tribes. families.Becky Blanton Man started life in tribes. Foraging. know this. you will not fit in. but our fears haven't. If you are cast out you will not survive on your own. fit in with the tribe and be accepted you need this. supports this.so should you if you want to continue to belong.. Life was too rough. you will die. Tribes were integral to his survival. have this. drives this. We are "hard wired" to belong. On the streets even the homeless will ally themselves with each other. To be sanctioned and "cast out" was more than disapproval. drink this. buy this. drive this. Shelter. It's not just being alone with our thoughts.most marketing plays off this one basic reptile brain motivator.. Out of this need for tribal membership come the basic tools of marketing . To exist in a tribe you must belong. Fraternites. eat this. looks or lifestyle.. but being alone that wears on us . e Tribes Casebook page 148 . Kiwanis.all which arise out of our need to belong to a group of people "like us. at's not on the surface. or a shelter or a "town" to belong to a tribe. wear this. Social Networks. Bible studies. the Rotary Club. but the fear is no less intense. "Can I survive on my own?" now involves financial security. our hobbies. Our environment may have changed. You need "X" if you are going to attract women/men. to be part of something because tribal membership is about survival really. support groups. lives here . e only way to belong to a tribe and not be a clone is to be exclusive or better than the average. Sororities. It was a death sentence." people who share our faith. have sex with this.as though that reptilian part of our brains knew we must belong or die. our profession. not wild animals. sports. Why? Your tribe wears this. If you do not fit in you will be cast out. our interests or passions. Wild animals. If you didn't belong to a tribe you didn't live long.
(4) Exclusivity. e best warriors, the best hunters, best gatherers and most fertile women were accorded exclusive status. Exclusivity was a reward and a survival tactic. Not only did their higher quality skills bring more to the tribe in terms of food, safety and progeny, granting them a reward – more food, more privileges, better housing etc. guaranteed the survival of the fittest. Being remarkable, being exclusive, being better than is a quality we all recognize and equate with survival and quality. How remarkable, how exclusive is your tribe? Will they survive a market crash, a skewed economy or a financial drought?
San Marino's Dividing Lines
Irina Netchaev I love living in San Marino. It's a great, family oriented community with its own Police Department, high ranking San Marino School District, Fire Department, a newly rebuilt Crowell Library and a beautiful City Hall. We have several banks and real estate companies within the city boundaries. San Marino has its own Starbucks that avoided the recent Starbucks closures, a Chinese Restaurant, a Japanese Restaurant, a pharmacy and a Seafood place. So why is it that in this well educated, wealthy community, we still have "the wrong side of the tracks" mentality. Here's how I hear the locals refer to San Marino at times: *** ere's living North of Huntington Drive San Marino - Homes North of Huntington Drive are much more stately in many cases than South of Huntington Drive. ese San Marino luxury homes have larger lots and we have seen much higher sales prices attached to them. is is where the famous Huntington Library and Lacy Park sit.
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*** ere's South of Huntington Drive San Marino - Homes tend to be on 10,000 to 12,000 sq. ft. lots and average 4 bedroom and 3 baths. *** ere's Valentine Elementary School San Marino - preferred by some over Carver Elementary school. *** ere's what some locals refer lovingly as "Sub Marino" - an area of unincorporated Los Angeles, East of San Gabriel Blvd where some homes have access to San Marino schools without the San Marino address. *** And, there's what some refer to as "Baja Marino" - a newer tract of homes off of Muscatel that have a San Gabriel address, but option to go to San Marino schools. Both of my kids had an opportunity to attend both Valentine Elementary and Carver Elementary and both schools are terrific. e scores for both elementary schools are very similar. Kids from both South and North of Huntington drive play together and form long-standing friendships. So is it simply the size of the homes North of Huntington that make it such a desirable area of San Marino for some? Do we really need these dividing lines? So, I ask you again, why would well educated, well to do citizens able to afford a median priced home of $1.55 million worry about living North or South of Huntington Drive?
Go Back To Your Roots
Dr.Mani Sivasubramanian In March 2001, on a trip to Dublin, Ireland, we took a coach tour guided by an amazing lady. I'll call her Mary. She educated
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us on Irish history, culture and lifestyle better than any book or course could. Speaking with passion in a thick Celtic accent, she brought the past alive on a scenic drive along the coast. And she also spoke about nuances of the delightful Celtic language. A tribe's primal need is communication. Even animal tribes communicate. It begins as noise, grunts, snarls. Evolves into words. Distills into language. Every tribe has its unique dialect, lingo, and jargon. Over time, as tribes diversify, merge and migrate, changes happen. Often the original tribal language is forgotten. Or ignored. Reviving it again, going back to your roots, may be the most energizing way to revitalize your tribe. e Irish are doing it. Every summer, they have a ritual. Tribe members send their children to residential Celtic schools for 2 weeks. ere they are taught about the rich history and culture of the Celtic people. ey take pride in the great deeds of their warriors past. And they learn to write and speak the ancient Celtic language. e school has one rule that may never be violated, on pain of expulsion. No one should speak in any tongue other than Celtic! It is a point of honor with the children to stay the course. Mary told us the story of how a young girl was sent back home on the second day of her stay - because she sneezed, and then said "Excuse me"... in English! She left school in tears. And came back next year to successfully complete the program. Learning the tribe's language and culture became a goal to strive for.
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Doing it binds the tribe tightly together. Getting future generations of the tribe involved ensures perpetuity.
Attorney Oasis
David Leffler From nationwide to niche, that is what I thought when I started an email discussion group just for lawyers admitted to practice law in New York. For many years I had been part of a nationwide email discussion group for lawyers, but too often the topics were about practicing law in another state, which were of limited use to me. So one day I did it. Created Attorney Oasis, the email discussion group for New York lawyers. At first there were only about a dozen lawyers, but there were still some interesting discussions. Over the past year, without much effort from me, we've grown to over 70 lawyers, and the quality of the posts has improved along with the growth. Now not only are complicated legal issues discussed and analyzed, but referrals of business regularly go on between the lawyers. It's what I anticipated, because the lawyer's market is horribly inefficient. I've actually written about this - right now there are people out there that need a lawyer and don't know where to turn. It is the lawyer's job to find these people, but there isn't an easy way to do this. You ask friends for suggestions. You can check out Google lawyers' ads when you put in the relevant legal search term, or look at some of the efforts out there now that attempt to market lawyers over the Internet. But those efforts have not met with great success because the lawyer-client relationship tends to be a very personal one, and so people don't like shopping for lawyers the same way that they shop for books on Amazon.com. I've tried local F2F gatherings of the Attorney Oasis tribe in Manhattan, but that has not met with much success, which
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surprises me because in the past when I've invited people to events. curiosity. but the before: the ragtag tribe of people who decided it'd be lovely to camp out overnight in an Ohio autumn. which doesn't rank high in importance with this group. a very high rate of invitees typically attends. who knows? A 12-Hour Geek Tribe Erica Minton For a few hours in November 2007. My policy in running the group to date has been pretty much laissez faire. is story isn't about the after tribe of Wii owners. on the sidewalk of a Best Buy. I was someone special: I was one of a very small percentage of people who had a Nintendo Wii. e usual things brought us to that sidewalk: exclusivity (it was the night before the product launch). Attorney Oasis is a bit like an insider's resource. For now I'm just happy that I've created something that has improved the lives of my fellow professionals. e Tribes Casebook page 153 . whether in new business or another professional to reach out to when there was a question or other need for their practices. Not so with this group. but I wonder if I'll have to introduce more structure as the group doubles and triples in size. However. but as it grows I wonder what it might morph into. the lawyers that did show up often formed friendships with the other lawyers that led to support for their careers. camaraderie. I'm guessing that this is because these were gatherings at a Midtown bar without a particular purpose other than to network with other lawyers. which has worked well. masochism (it was cold!). Tomorrow.
My friend produced a megaphone and we were able to quip back in true nerd form. The Hunting Tribe Ed Welch e Tribes Casebook page 154 . (Sure it's creepy. We had shopping cart jousts and races. our bonds were strong. geeks? To be homeless for a night?" His jeers were ridiculous—it's at least as pathetic to be the guy heckling the geeks as it is to be the geek itself—but they were what we needed to band together. played kickball. but we didn't become a tribe until we found a common enemy. but not as creepy as going alone. the spell was broken. Not every tribe needs something to rally against in order to form or succeed. in the form of an ironic heckler who drove past us yelling something to the tune of. we lapsed back into a clutch of individuals. I haven't talked to anyone from the sidewalk again. We shared doughnuts and made half-mile treks to the Kroger bathroom with people we'd never met.As you might be able to imagine. the enemy of my enemy is my friend (and we geeks have little trouble finding either). we spent those cold hours in purely geeky ways. is came around midnight. "Is it worth it. With nothing—not even adverse weather—to band us together. but it's one of the quickest ways to see people snap together and form something stronger. Some teenagers hooked Mario Kart up through their car and played out of the trunk. When the doors to Best Buy eased open. For the rest of the night and into the morning. speculated about the Wii. We linked up our Gameboys. After all.) We took turns huddling in strangers' warm cars and writing Zelda-themed Mad Libs together. We did all this because we had similar personalities.
Tracy helped Larry field dress it and carry the deer to his truck. Completely disappointed and feeling despair. admiration and willingness to help each other. With flashlight in hand. this deer would have never been found. He thought to himself. most hunters share a common respect. Approximately 30 minutes before sunset. Larry had been hunting for several years. but it ran off into the woods and would need to be tracked. Excitedly. but this time he hoped they would be within range to make a good shot. he set off looking to pick up the deer's trail. Hesitantly. Much like other tribes. he slowly drew the string back on his bow. took careful aim. Often. Larry told Tracy exactly what happened.One cool October evening Larry was bow hunting for Whitetail Deer. without Tracy's help. Although the time was well past 9:00 pm and the following morning meant a long day of work – Tracy's words turned Larry's frown to a smile: "Let's go find that deer. Larry hung his head low at the thought of this failure. and released the arrow. Leading Tracy to the exact spot where Larry had lost the deer's trail. Frantically. "I don't even know Tracy – but I must find this deer" so when he arrived home he called Tracy's number. He knew all too well that a hunter only has a few hours to trail and find a deer before he's unable to use it for meat. he looked to pick up the trail but it was no use. the deer was struck in a vital area.Larry knew this land well. When the arrow struck its mark – the deer quickly ran into a section of very dense and heavily grown area. Heart pounding with excitement. a bow hunter is required to trail a deer many yards after making a great shot. Although he was about an hour from home . he circled the area where he last saw the deer. However. After trailing this deer for about 50 yards." – Tracy spoke with enthusiasm. he watched as the arrow quickly hit its mark. Needless to say. he had spotted a herd of seven deer. Tracy quickly picked up that trail where Larry had failed. Larry remembered the words of a good friend named Kevin . the trail completely disappeared. the sun set and darkness fell. undeterred. but he didn't have much experience tracking deer at night. the trail and the deer had disappeared."if you ever need any help and I'm not around – call Tracy". Quickly. Two of them were nice bucks and he hoped to see them again. e day before. Bow hunting for deer is much different than rifle hunting. It was only minutes before the deer had been found. Tonight was no different for Larry. Larry spotted what he'd been waiting for – a well built buck deer with six points of antlers. e Tribes Casebook page 155 .
Until recently. but I still couldn't feel my fingers. in a warmer location. Green Bay. Wisconsin. nonprofit organization.looking out for each other and helping each other with no thought of reward. is would be the last meeting of the tribe for this year. We were hoping to have one more. ere are only eight each year and it is almost impossible to get an invitation. teach each other. However.Who knows how many thousands of years hunters have been selflessly helping each other achieve their goals. e guy next to me had a beer and it was frozen. e Tribes Casebook page 156 . We'd always been members of the tribe but hadn't been able to make it to one of the meetings. and share knowledge? Larry learned a great lesson that day. purchasing stock was a donation to the team. Now. a ski mask and two pairs of gloves. the proceeds would have gone to local American Legion post for a soldier's memorial. e Packers are the only major league professional sports team in the United States that is a community-owned. Many hunters are members of a tribe . is the smallest market for any NFL team.000. with a population of just over 100. the proceeds would go to the Green Bay Packers Foundation and would support charities throughout Wisconsin. Brett Favre threw an interception in overtime and the Green Bay Packers lost to the New York Giants in the 2007 NFC Championship Game. the team sold more than four millions shares of stock. ose streets are empty during every game. if the team was sold. no dividends are paid and the stock cannot be sold for more than face value. In other words. In 1998. Packing Them In Dave Rendall It was January and the temperature had fallen to -3 degrees with a wind chill of -25. My brother and I paid thousands of dollars and travelled thousands of miles to be here. e Packers are an unusual football team. Even though he hadn't met Tracy before this day. Local streets are named after past coaches and players. but it didn't work out. they were instantly bonded because they both belonged to the same hunting tribe. After standing in one place for four hours. I was wearing four pairs of pants.
I've heard the stories and known they were out there.Every game is sold out. e waiting list is so long for season tickets that people put their children on the list. Packer fans actually outnumber Lions fans. 2. Tribal membership is more emotional than rational. ere are currently more than 75. 3. and they've done a lot of losing.000 people on the waiting list and the wait time is 35 years. For example. mocked its followers. e best tribes are owned by the members. 1. People who have season tickets often leave them to their children as an inheritance. People will endure pain to join the tribe. Exclusivity makes membership more valuable. and wondered at the power its leaders held over young and old alike. at some games in Detroit. 4. Seattle and Detroit. e team won the Super Bowl in 1996 but the previous 25 years were marked by mediocre teams and poor results. I think there are four tribal lessons from this case study. the day they are born. my brother and I had only seen games in New York. even when the team is losing. Prior to the NFC Championship game. Now I'm a Believer Jennifer Greer Recently I've had a glimpse into the rituals of an ancient tribe. I've scoffed at the devotion and sacrifice. is didn't affect attendance or demand for season tickets. the Packers didn't even win a single playoff game from 1983 to 1994. For example. It is so difficult to get game tickets that many fans travel to away games to watch the team. e Tribes Casebook page 157 . For years I've known of its existence.
"Yes. He came home. grinning with victory. Even I. I was sure that a taste of the cult would remind both of us why we had stayed away so long. washing uniforms. driving carpool. bruised and beaten.two dinners a day. All of his friends would be there. How could it hurt? I rationalized that refusing him might push him further towards them and agreed to go. His body grew lean and muscular. "Coach says. e Tribes Casebook page 158 . I was wrong. and now I'm a believer. What once seemed too high a price to pay for a game now seems like fair compensation to watch your boy become a man. He knows the coach will look at his grades and decide who plays on game days and who sits on the sidelines in disgrace. I have witnessed an ancient tribe whose rituals turn boys into men.is spring. School has started again. smelling of war. When I see him kneel with them to pray before a game and hear the thunderous "Father Son and Holy Spirit…Blessed Trinity…TITANS!" just before they rush the field for kickoff. have fallen into the routine . though. and my boy gradually disappeared. filling water bottles. my oldest child begged me to go to a meeting. When I see him clap their shoulders and encourage them or chide them or console them I think it is worth it. the skeptic. All summer long the child who acts as if walking up the stairs to put away his own clean laundry is the equivalent of ascending to Everest's base camp awoke in the wee hours of his vacation days for conditioning and weight training sessions. my inherently lazy and cautious child ran his heart out for hours in the Georgia heat and threw himself against the bodies of other young men with reckless abandon. lean close to hear the words of the man. then I know it is worth it." became the formal beginning of virtually every declarative sentence. wiser but smaller than they. We wince at the rough tackle and cheer at the pass received. During the first week of spring training. Coach!" I feel it is worth it. And when I see those young men stride across the field into battle. and respectfully roar. As fall approaches I sit on the sidelines with the other mothers. and the boy who once neglected his books now bends his head in study to allow for practice days.
What I am is a very keen member of the audience tribe. New residents mean that you are as likely to hear Russian as English at Covent Garden Opera. theatre at every level from church hall to West End and South Bank and of course the Albert Hall. But there is still something entirely special about being part of a live audience no matter what the event or discipline. Sure there are critics who can influence the commercial success. partly because it is very frustrating to me to play badly when I used to play quite well. ere are lots of concerts. And the interesting thing is that there isn't really a leader for this tribe. Since then I have embraced the business world and don't actively play music anymore. plays. Living in London is a good place to be part of that tribe. home of the BBC Proms. tv. ere are lots of ways to consume all the arts. The Audience Tribe Peter Davies In my teens I was a very keen musician and ended up studying it at university because I couldn't think of anything else I would rather do. Something good spreads through the grapevine and finds its own subset of the audience tribe. During the interval. internet etc. but the audience tribe is big enough. Younger members arrive continuously. e Tribes Casebook page 159 . Although many members of this tribe are grey/white haired. I am fascinated by the continuous process of renewal amongst the audience tribe in London. the enthusiastic buzz and chatter in a multitude of languages gives a special meaning to live events. some clearly dragged there. and more choice than ever in cds. diverse enough and enthusiastic enough that just about any event can find a following in London.Football is my life. dvds. opera. dance. but others definitely by choice and with passion.
You fill your cart with closet accessories. You like solving problems. But then you happen into a store. It sells devices that promise to make you organized. ey separate the whites from the darks. ey don't make decisions impulsively. you can be organized too. finding ways around tax laws. ey research every major purchase. ey divide their day into segments. ey make to do lists and work through them in order. ey go to the grocery store with lists and they follow them. with colorful tin cans. You jump from one project to another. It's brightly lit. And you know these tools will finally make you a member of the organized tribe. You know if you can just find the right-shaped box. e tribe with the matching nametags properly placed on the right side. You put folders in different places.Longing to join a tribe Geni Whitehouse Some people are organized. with bulletin boards and plenty of extra magnets. the perfect-sized container. Imagine being an unorganized accountant. ey can always find the top to their Tupperware containers. It is orderly and uncluttered. It's staffed with smart people who answer your questions. You pile things. analyze. their names written in perfect handwriting in a straight line. with plastic kitchen storage devices with lids. ey use their Daytimers systematically. You're not in the same tribe. (Your nametag is only slightly smudged with the name written in an imperfect diagonal. One day you look around and realize that you're not like the other accountants. ey don't buy cars just because they like the color. with rolling carts. ey budget. You are full of ideas.) e Tribes Casebook page 160 . Almost all accountants are very organized. plan. with see-through shoe boxes. You don't like repetitive tasks. with wrappers for your computer cables. And so you buy. the perfect coordinating accessory for that chaotic space. ey're linear.
It trains you in its ways and you are happy. You cover the bulletin boards with notes and never turn the page on your calendar. You sadly realize that you were a mere visitor in that tribe. ey shop from lists. You might just get it. You need to learn their language. You revel in its order.because it would make it easier to get dates. You add a smiley face to your crooked nametag and proudly wear it to tribal gatherings. Its customers are members of the tribe. And then your chaotic schedule calls you back from the order. You are able to blend in. So you decide that you need to get closer to this tribe. your shoes outgrow the boxes and tumble to the floor. that no amount of longing will make you belong there. he said .In a very short time you lose the lids to your containers. You need that cloth box that is beautifully coordinated with your living room. In 1999 Baty. Shadow them as they go through their day. And you feel safe there. e Tribes Casebook page 161 . an aspiring writer. Every day you identify another talisman that proves you belong. Almost no one knows you don't belong there. NaNoWriMo. but give it a different name. ey welcome you with open arms. You create a new folder every day for the same subject. e store has studied its tribe members and has rituals that serve it. You must have that new refrigerator clip. ey rearrange the contents of their shopping cart so their items fit perfectly. So you get a part time job at this store. "just wanted to make noise. You can be yourself. as Chris Baty discovered." He and 21 of his friends wanted to write novels for the same reason twentysomethings start bands. Understand their methods. And. a tribal leader is born Becky Blanton Be careful for what you wish for. you might become an adult in the process. ey disdainfully watch your bag stacking skills and make corrections. Eventually you find a new tribe with people like you.
" Last year Baty learned what we all learn. He was expecting 150 people to sign up. Year three the old saw about everyone wanting to write the Great American Novel seemed to be true.to start. "I went home and stared at the wall. STOP THE BOATS! I wanted to scream at all our referring websites. from what begins as a "fun idea" that turns into managing funds. After getting the non-profit status he wrote. a webserver. ey turned what most consider a writing atmosphere . "It's like a little glowing governmental bureaucracy staffed by elves.at year Baty and his friends kicked off a one-month novel writing binge .you become an adult. By 2007 Baty's dream of "Getting a date. And they wanted "rules" to write by. He had wanted to name the corporation NaNoCorp. Not only had he been thrown into finding funding. Rules? Baty waffled and stalled but realized there had to be rules to both motivate and focus the writers. landing approval as a non-profit organization almost seven years into his efforts." And it was a blast. on BoingBoing and website after website. t-shirts. 50. despair and a straining for the whisper of the muse on its head. that somewhere along the way. e next year word got out about it and 140 people showed up. hiring staff and answering emails to finding talent to create websites. in the end he did get a great name. NaNoWriMo was on the front page of Yahoo. ey kept the alcohol but gathered in a group to eat. shipping and media attention had turned his life into a nightmare. Chris calls year three the year the literary tornado touched down. When did this happen? Between 1999 and e Tribes Casebook page 162 .seclusion." Still. but was convinced to find something that sounded more like he was a serious business rather than "someone who would run off to Mexico to build sand castles. " e Office of Letters and Light." with his novel scheme had grown to 101. in the New York Times. In recounting those times on his website he says. the rising tide of Wrimos went from fun to frightening." he said. in newspaper after newspaper.000 participants. From an event originally emailed and forwarded to friends. finding office space. write and complete a 175-page. "I fell ever-further behind. a website. alcohol. answer phones and mail t-shirts and deal with the press . TURN BACK! WE HAVE NO MORE CABANAS! OUR BEACHES ARE FULL! WE'RE MINING THE HARBORS!" en suddenly he went from panic to possibility. "talk smack" and type. He got 5.000 word novel in one month. ey called it "noveling.000.the plan .
You don't have to have a plot.2006. ******************* I strongly encourage anyone who loves to write or simply wants to see if they can. Maybe you learn to lead along the way while you're in the middle of it all . this may have been the strangest. funny. to enter this year.but it's so much better in context. go over to Chris' site and read his brilliant. I had somehow become an adult. Free or not.. that's the whole point. Read the rules and basic FAQs HERE.. I quoted heavily from it here. It's long!! More than a billion words were written last year and he expects even more aspiring or professional writers this year. stirring and emotional history of how NaNoWriMo got started. I realized.. Being an adult was much more interesting than not being an adult." Maybe this whole tribal thing is about finding what you're passionate about and attracting those who are passionate about it too.I hope you're one of them. The Merger Tribe Peter Davies e Tribes Casebook page 163 . I encourage you to donate as well.. e fact that my adulthood had arrived courtesy of a month-long novel-writing escapade just made it all the sweeter. You just have to have 50. And maybe. "Of all of NaNoWriMo's weird twists and turns over the years." Baty writes. but you have to register. Warning. See you there. just maybe.while you're mining the harbor and turning back the boats. "And you know what? I absolutely loved it. And if you haven't already. It's free.000 words. One who hired full-time employees and picked out company health plans and went to seminars called "Philanthropic networking with banking institutions.
What the merger tribe didn't do was provide an incentive for the old Cambridge tribe leaders to stay and be part of the new tribe.I used to belong to a Cambridge tribe. and others had very little. not part of the problem. Its a defining trait . and the merger tribe arrived. support or provide infrastructure. we were part of the solution. then lost our way. management changed. at made it easy to divide our tribe into factions. but I don't think either were prepared for what actually happened. Keep the small company values. keep the engineering smarts. Very smart. and with a culture where only software engineers had value.its why English games and their rules and sense of fair play have been exported all over the world. e people that the merger tribe sent to actually implement the takeover had different ideas. We were told that we should keep on doing exactly what we were doing.all required to be part of the merger tribe. arrogant. We thought some of them were pretty good. but not unique. Perhaps the most important difference is that the Cambridge tribe was English to the core . Some of the characteristics of that tribe were very interesting. you can imagine what happened. We sold software to mobile/cellular companies very successfully for a long time. e Cambridge tribe understood too late that although the merger tribe talked a good game and appeared to be following the rules. We didn't have the right representation within the merger tribe. keep the management. ey reduced any independent capability to sell. ey stripped away the name and the identity. and that we were learning to play by the rules we were given.and the most important aspect was a sense of fairness. except for the legal entity so that they could avoid potential liability. and therefore not the political backing to get our offering to market. Times changed. Both parties expected a mismatch between the cultures. e Tribes Casebook page 164 . ey gradually stripped away all the other customers so that we became just an R and D department. So when the merger tribe had to make some tough choices. Inside a year we had new processes. new systems. at's what their senior management said. ey chose people and projects from the merger tribe. new checklists . We got bought. the market got tougher. Nor did they provide new tribe leaders with the right credibility from the merger tribe. Our tribe has been expelled.
men 25-54. movie buffs. the show/star/theme is all of these things or none of these things.and then there are folks who like Lyle Lovett an awful lot.. ere were the comic book fanatics. McDonalds wants to sell Happy Meals to the ones with kids.. You can't force a Tribe either.even though Jerry Garcia never asked them to. TV & Radio companies build Tribes of listeners on their stations. What's interesting with entertainment Tribes (audiences) is that they are rarely lead by whatever the Tribe's focus is. You will not get an email from McDreamy or McSteamy inviting you to a Grey's Anatomy viewing party at Chi Chi's. You can't force leadership. So who leads the Tribe? Who is the chief? Who is the medicine man? Inevitably in these Tribes. Friends aces adults 18-34 and Procter and Gamble wants to sell Tylenol to all of them. men 18-34 and on and on. e Tribe gives the leader of the Tribe the power of leadership. e Lyle Lovett fans aren't staying up all night making PB&J sandwiches for his concerts the next day. ey then work to build Tribes of listeners for shows on e Tribes Casebook page 165 . e movie trailers before that flick mostly went after men 18-34.actually their behaviour was more like "all's fair in love and war". but Dead Heads did. or takes it away. ere are Trekkies and Dead Heads. blockbuster movie buffs. Which roles they play and which roles they fail at depend on the people in the Tribe.. People who went to see e Dark Night represented various Tribes for instance. and really enjoy Deal or No Deal... Heath Ledger fans. AARP wants to hit up the ones on their way to retirement and Tribes are at the center of it all. You will not see Christian Bale heading up the Comic-Con. NBC builds ursday nights to X sized audience of people 2554. It's like those Russian dolls where each doll has a doll inside the doll. The Entertainment Industry Is All About Building Tribes Matt DuBiel Every facet of the entertainment industry is based on building Tribes in order market to the Tribes within those Tribes.. Seinfeld aces adults 35-54.
.which has more to do with his advertiser Tribe than listener Tribe as he is not subscription based. en he told me the store is barely break even.. Up and coming comics and bands are often booked based on the crowd they bring with them. I met a really interesting guy this evening when I rented True Romance at a small mom and pop video rental store... And they naturally do all this to sell interruption advertising to companies who want to reach specific Tribes of their own. mortgage. It cost me $2 to rent True Romance. talking with folks and his love for movies. e Tribes Casebook page 166 . ey were weekly radio and TV "serial dramas" which were eventually called "Soap Operas" because they were sponsored by Proctor & Gamble or Colgate-Palmolive who wanted to sell their household products (soaps etc) to housewives (the Tribe) who were at home listening or watching. One of the oldest examples of this might be Soap Operas. He thinks he's in the DVD business. and I would have paid $4. cola. Keep in mind also that the Tribe Sirius was banking on was not solely a Tribe of listeners/subscribers... General Hospital Tribe. e motivation behind all of this of course is to market those Tribes to the soap. but a Days Tribe..those stations. He told me all about buying the place.it wasn't checked out. Radio. e entertainment is just the catalyst for the relationship.. ey even link their various TV.. A-list celebrities are paid handsomely to star in a movie based on their draw.. car. and Interactive Tribes together to create a grand network of Tribes... Another example is Rush Limbaugh's recent $500 million dollar deal. I went to Blockbuster last week and they didn't have Ghostbusters.. food.. is guy had True Romance when I wanted it..they didn't carry it.and on and on and on. Howard Stern was paid $500 million dollars not because he has a good speaking voice. Howard was paid this money because it was believed that his Tribe would follow him. ey group the show Tribes with other show Tribes to make even more Tribes. or the folks at Sirius thought his show was good.but he's in the business of building a Tribe. Dane Cook is a comedian who fills stadiums on his own because he's built a Tribe of over 1 million using MySpace. and if a certain percentage did it would be worth $500 million.. Many successful entertainers do actively lead their own Tribes. Now there isn't just a Soap Opera Tribe. in the sticks and he's breaking even. serving the customers. and liquor companies paying for the privilege of reaching that Tribe.
The Furngate Story Richard Millington Furngate were a terrible youth football (soccer) team. he raved and he complained. frame against my opponent's abnormally hairy mass you would've understood. no "the team is finished". In time. No goodbye. Maybe sympathised. It was only a matter of time before Steve had seen enough. at time came when our goalkeeper decided to let the ball trickle into the net. He ranted. Like this frantic interchange when an opposing striker skipped past me. Steve. We were bad. was worse. "Tackle him Rich" "no way" "Why not?" "he's massive!" at reflects bad upon me. I know. he just left. and we knew it. my Dad stepped in and asked a great question: e Tribes Casebook page 167 . puberty-awaiting. Our morale dropped. Which explains why 10 of us turned up managerless the following week. Faced with forfeiting or playing one final game. It's a decade later and we still hold the league record for biggest defeat (0 – 26). Our manager. He didn't wait for the final whistle. It was the little things that annoyed him most. the defeats took their toll. our members dwindled. rather than risk bruises diving onto a hardened pitch. But if you compared my frail. Steve just left.
and start trying to play. He hates football. the defenders up front. Our best player (the one who dared to head the ball!) fancied being the team captain. or the next. My dad was the manager. ere even came a day when we began turning kids away. I'm not too sure I can say we improved. I wanted to take a turn in goal and see what it would be like. my dad isn't a football genius. He gave the Player of the Match medals to the worst performers.. As you can guess. Bluewater Cruising Trish Lambert e Tribes Casebook page 168 . Still. and told us the secret ingredient of the 'healing spray' (H2O). Actually. We even had substitutes for our 3rd 'final game'. he knew the objective wasn't to win. So that's what we did."So what do you all want to do?" We wanted to play. A new manager who boldly proclaimed he would "Set this team on winning ways within 6 months". he knew the team well.from the worst team in the league! I should be clear. By the end of the season we had one of the largest squads in the league. e strikers wanted to play in defence. He generally let us play as we liked. e team folded in 3. the games were great fun. When you stop trying to win. But we didn't. But we did turn up the next week. But he was the only dad who still watched his son's weekly humiliation. 20 registerd players. but he acted like our host.. and the week after. it's too soft for his Northern roots. you have a lot more fun. or any game that season. Almost three years later my dad had a second heart-attack and handed the team to a new manager. I would love to say we won that game.
it's the unique travel opportunity— seeing the world from one's front porch. heaving to. the effectiveness of a particular solar panel set up.Living aboard a sailboat is a way of life. Where boating in general has a special language. Membership in the bluewater cruising tribe isn't based on education. And for still others. bluewater cruising is even more specialized in its vernacular. anyone who gets bit by the cruising bug soon discovers that they have joined a tribe. and conversation will inevitably turn to topics of mutual interest: how to prevent damage from lightning strikes. it's the lure of a life off the grid. an apartment. Cruising a sailboat across oceans to other countries puts one into the world's largest small village—one of the first global tribes to form in our society and one that preceded the existence of the Internet by at least a century. the best cove to hold up in for the coming storm. the best anchor for a particular holding ground. running under bare poles—and all kinds of other things that are obscure to others (even other boaters sometimes!). there is an instant bond. wealth. or to stay on watch through the night on a shared VHF channel either to keep watch for possible thieves or to proactively respond to deteriorating weather. of an old singlehander who lost his home to a propane fueled fire. Cruisers discuss scope. It is a no-brainer to rush to the aid of fellow cruisers whose anchors start slipping as the wind rises. Whatever the driver. Even on land. trailing warp. of the sudden widow of a skipper who died of a heart attack in the middle of the night while at anchor in Puntarenas Costa Rica. In farflung anchorages. ere is the lingo. For some people. I have been part of many rescue efforts—of a boat that ran aground on the Pacific side of Baja California (Mexico). completely self-sustainable. For others. a condo vs. ere is the unquestioning loyalty. the most effective watch schedule when underway on the ocean. e Tribes Casebook page 169 . it is the love of the ocean and a fascination for the boats that bob along its surface. when one cruiser meets another. not just a choice of habitat like a house vs. It stems from a deep passion that is hard to characterize. acquaintanceship is not necessary to prompt the immediate assistance of the cruising tribe. or nationality. Get a couple of cruisers together.
Cruisers carry on the traditions and superstitions of sailors down the years--it's bad luck to start a voyage on a Friday. and get on with the next voyage. Anything other than that is suspicious and borders on betrayal of the tribe. must work effectively as a team under the skipper's direction. changing the name of boat requires Neptune's blessing. Burning Man Alexis Martin Neely e Tribes Casebook page 170 . reactions from the other members can border on unsupportive. He or she is responsible for getting all hands safely to port. And in all situations. constantly moving space could be attractive. And of course the tribe has its rituals. and many people have a hard time fathoming why living in a very small.g. is tribe has such a deep passion for its venue that when someone chooses to leave. Anyone outside the tribe often finds this community fascinating. lack of money. the first mate must have enough knowledge to fill in for the skipper in an emergency. the crew. A cruiser can't imagine a fellow cruiser choosing to leave the sea and permanently move onshore. e only reasons "must" be extreme—bad health.is tribe has no chief. It carries the traditions of the sea into the technology of the future without losing its cohesion and distinctness. Tribal members just smile at this attitude. In a double-handed situation (e. family emergencies. crossing the equator for the first time calls for an initiation ceremony. no matter how small or how large in number. e bluewater cruising tribe has its roots in an ancient tribe--that of the seafareres who have roamed the waters of the planet for thousands of years. a husband-wife team). e skipper is the final word on all aspects of boat operation and maintenance.. but each floating home has its leader.
I'm packing up my 5 year old son and 8 year old daughter and we're heading into the desert for a week of massive. now under the formal title of Executive Director. it has a mission and a set of guiding principles that themselves are fully authentic representations of the tribe members. the man first burned in Black Rock City and it has continued to do so every Labor Day weekend since. fancy. Before they leave. We will indulge the creative fantasy that we are holding in the rest of the year and through that indulgence backdropped against the bleakness of the playa.Today. How to get a Tribe to accept change. In 1991. we will discover more of our own authenticity. We will brave the harsh conditions so we can be who we are. they build a city . the brainchild of Larry Harvey and Jerry James with just 20 attendees and it was at Baker Beach where the fire ritual was held for the first four years until the Golden Gate Park Police no longer allowed the fire ceremony due to fire hazards.. it's a tribe of 48. which also include radical inclusion. gifting. 2008 will be my first Burning Man. It's a tribe for the misfits who grew up feeling lost and tribeless. Twenty-two years later. Burning Man not only has a leader. just 1 of the 10 guiding principles. It began in 1986.000+ people who gather in the desert for a week of fun. Larry Harvey remains the leader of Burning Man. It's freedom. When they are gone. While there. Colleen Kulikowski e Tribes Casebook page 171 . I see it as an unbeatable opportunity to pass on my family values. unlimited self-expression. e over-riding theme of the mission and everything else about Burning Man is radical self-reliance.. they leave no trace. they burn "the man"... no matter what that looks like for a full 7 days. leaving no trace and 6 others. Like the most cohesive tribes. fantasy and a whole lot more. Black Rock City.
countless calls and emails from members that were actually terrified to go read other blogs. Growth happened. One member called me soon after proud that she left a comment on a post on another blog. nudged by Laurie. the posts were highly read because so many participated. e Laurie Manny Challenge was simple result of my own exploration outside the safety of the system. Others mad that we would dare send people out of ActiveRain. and in their eyes perfect. is was big. the system would still be there. is is something that I experienced over at ActiveRain (http://www. and it gave the many members who were afraid to leave the collective permission to do so. e best way to describe the mentality of the membership is the Borg in Star Trek. At the time the system was full of posts that lacked originality and members were starved for great reading material. I had the ability to run contests and award prizes.activerain. Healthy debate happened. Many of these Realtors had no idea that there were local blogs that they could connect with. which was created for the Real Estate industry. Members were motivated by points (and still are).Many times closed communities become their own little world.com). ere was an air of excitement and the weeks that followed were wonderful to watch as members were exposed to new ideas. e members at times consider it "cheating" if they left the confines of this community. See the challenge here A year later. Laurie had been planting the seeds in many members to read "Outside" so the contest was named after her. e comments and discussions always lack something. people still talk about it. much less comment. but those that lurked in the sidelines. e initial reaction was sheer terror from the membership. let alone read a link outside of the collective. is was never more evident when as a moderator. e Tribes Casebook page 172 . All these posts had three links to outside the collective. It was almost scary how so many members did not want to venture from the safety of the hive. e high number of points that were up for grabs got people to enter. Only do what the collective deemed acceptable. so fellow Moderator Laurie Manny and I created the mother of all contests in the Laurie Manny Challenge. people started to think independently. not only to the members that participated. What resulted was an awakening of many members.
See the winner's list here Today members think nothing about following a Read More off the site. All this on his very first post to the forum. but he chose to name call and unfairly criticize instead. my site. He just saw a topic. the links. he chose to attack and blame others rather than place responsibility in the proper place. I don't waste anyone's time complaining about it. My question: then WHY did you join? is person did not read through my site to see if he would fit into our tribe. His complaint: that the group was not "chatty" enough. I chose to leave. Some people are always claiming they were duped by (fill in the blank). He didn't look at the pictures. and me personally. Once a change is accepted it is really amazing to see it in action! Should I Stay Or Should I Go? badmsm For the first time in the 7 years since I started my first blog. I just go. e truth is they don't want to see facts or take responsibility for their errors. I see this all the time. So they lash out or pout. or the previous posts in the forums. When he did discover his error. chalk it up to experience and MOVE ON. quote from other sites or even sharing what the find on the Internet with fellow members. He could have quietly opted out of the group if it did not meet his needs. If a group or situation has not worked for me. with himself. and it's always someone (or something) else's fault. In fact I regularly run into members on all sorts of sites engaging in the conversations around them. So I made the choice for him to opt out quietly. and assumed he had made the correct choice without looking into the details. e Tribes Casebook page 173 . I had to ban a member for flaming my tribe.
admit your mistakes. And it took a significant shift in power for this tribe succeed. the Cats still disappointed.000 people erupted. Giving power to the players was undoubtedly a crucial part of the Cats' success. e Cats were not doing well in 2000 . In the meantime. as one Senior player describes it.. Described in the press as 'wayward'. 'stray' and 'cheeky'. and if you need to. In contrast to a punishment doled out by the coach or the club's board.. e story that epitomises this change revolves around Steve Johnson. he had to play and train with Geelong's junior team and would undergo a review after 6 matches. Mark 'Bomber' ompson joined as the new coach and under his cool. It's easy to defy authority. as its Australian Football League team won the Premiership. GO! Remember. It wasn't until 2007. a small Australian town of around 200.in fact. Power to the Players Melissa Tan On September 29 2007. they 'were in a bit of pickle on the leadership front'.Moral: Be knowledgeable about the tribes you are seeking. or to dismiss e Tribes Casebook page 174 . If his fellow teammates weren't satisfied that his 'attitude and behaviour' had improved. a punishment imposed by your peers is much more severe. he could face dismissal. e player leadership group was given responsibility for disciplining him and decided to suspend Johnson indefinitely at the start of the 2007 season. the decision to go can always be made for you. that the effect of ompson's subtle transfer of power to the players became clearer. It had been 44 long years since the Geelong Cats were last crowned the (world) champions. the team began a slow transformation. with his job on the line. Both the coach and captain left the team and the players had no say in matters that affected them. And it was slow despite being favourites for the Premiership at one point in 2006. be kind to those you meet along the way. Johnson was arrested on Christmas Eve in 2006 for public drunkenness. calm influence.
awarded to the best player in the Grand Final. the players coach themselves. Are You Ready to Lead The Tribe? Brendan Mitchell In the morning the disciple would awake before dawn He would draw water from the well & carry it up the hill He would clean & sweep the temple He would pick fresh mangoes. slice & prepare them He would grind coffee by hand He would boil the water e Tribes Casebook page 175 . wash. For one training session a week.even if that issue is with the team's star player.them as out of touch. For all those Geelong supporters. but as he said later in the season.' Last year. let's hope both he and the Cats can repeat their success this year. players can swap positions and arrange their own match-ups. And even during a match. As one player described it. that trust is returned. I was pretty much out the door and things have turned around for me. ' ere's been a greater responsibility given to the players and a greater trust. Johnson was not only part of the victorious team. it hurts. But when the tribe you are part of collectively agrees that what you're doing is unacceptable. And I think by coaches and boards giving that to players. but he also won the Norm Smith medal. 'I knew if I worked my butt off then I could get back and earn the respect of the players. Players at all levels know they can speak up when they have an issue .' e Cats also took a similar approach in areas other than discipline. It was lonely and it was hard work for Johnson.
while the Guru ate He would clear everything away He would then sit in silence.. He awoke He collected the water He picked the fruit He prepared it He ground the coffee He boiled the water He sat on the veranda and consumed the lot. until one day.He would awake the guru at sun rise He would wash him He would dress him He would prepare the Guru's seat He would sit quietly.. listening to the Guru's words of wisdom He did this every morning for years. as he watched the sun come up He had a pang of guilt for what he had just done How will the Guru react? e Tribes Casebook page 176 .
most of all to yourself Give respect where it's due Know when you're right Admit when you're wrong Give your audience what they want & be generous and most of all e Tribes Casebook page 177 .He turned. only to find the Guru standing quietly behind him. smiling from ear to ear He said to the disciple "so now you're a Guru" Only you. How to Lead a Tribe Brendan Mitchell Make your passion your goal & be committed to it Be true to your ideology Wear your values on your sleeve Listen with an open mind Speak from the heart Be honest. can decide when it's time & when you're ready to lead your tribe.
000 subscribers. furniture. e newsletters would consolidate information about benefits available to US military personnel. spent $30 to run off 500 issues of the first newsletter on bright yellow paper. Mike raised $7 million to start his company. e Tribes Casebook page 178 . He stood in front of the Pentagon handing them out to people as they left the building. David. hoping to hit something. whom I'll call Mike and David. went there. David had 250 sign-ups by the time he got home that first day. and offered them something relevant. and ads on the sides of buses in Washington. Mike burned through the cash in six months.Be an inspiration & make a difference Your tribe will gather. each decided to start a new company that offered free newsletters. and built the company virally to 300. David picked a particular audience and went to the right place to find them. and lost his house. In contrast. Mike closed his eyes and started "spraying and praying". but they weren't necessarily military people – the target audience. staff. e plan was to build a subscriber list. ousands of people saw Mike's ads. and when they do Empower them to do the same Where's the fish? Jodi Kaplan Two men. Each picked the same target audience: military families. and later sell the company. David figured out where to find his target audience. went broke. on the other hand. He used the money on office space. DC.
one exists that is almost magical. December 27 of 2006. soccer has made it possible. roughout history. But out of all the tribes. territory. in an attempt to strengthen the trust and collaboration between Israelis and Palestinians. The most powerful tribe in the world Jean-Paul Pangalos Never underestimate the power of a passionate tribe. go where the fish are. politics and love. Such is the power of this tribe that it is capable of uniting tribes that have been in conflict for decades.If you're going fishing. eir power of destruction can be fatal. A soccer game between the Spanish national team and a team formed by Israeli and Palestinian players took place. It was organized by Shimon Peres and the Peres Center for Peace. Spain on Wednesday. numerous tribes have been in conflict over religion. What numerous peace talks and summits have been unable to accomplish. e Tribes Casebook page 179 . is is what happened in Seville.
e final game in the 1998 World Cup was viewed by more than 1 billion people. ere are only two requirements to be part of this tribe: a ball and passion for the game. Total viewership of the 2002 World Cup event exceeded 28. But there are some clues. not even a ball is needed. Actually. Few tribes share such a raw emotional passion across the globe.8 billion viewers. e same thing happens in the suburbs of Nigeria where boys and girls congregate to play with a ball made of cloths and ropes. irrespective of any logical consideration. men and cars go together. is must be the only possible explanation as to why men love cars. irrespective of usability.it is common to see children in Brazil playing soccer with an empty can of soda. STIG your Brand Rahul Deodhar Anne McCrossan Cars are embedded in the Y chromosome. is tribe is so universal that it´s main event is simply called the World Cup.But it´s not magic. e dimensions of this tribe are impossible to measure. Actually it´s a little bit of theater. e Tribes Casebook page 180 . It is also the most viewed event in history of television. Remarkable branding there. Yes simplicity. love and simplicity. It is visceral! Irrespective of affordability. art.
But he really does some amazing stuff with super cars. no introductions necessary! Authors and artists have used this mystery through pseudonyms. avidly too. He never shows himself. "You know STIG did…" and you are off. ey are all at the core of the brand that is TopGear. eir unique no-nonsense reviews and comments makes or breaks cars. Banksy and Los Straitjackets. Each of them is a test driver. It gives them the secret sign. only what his cars can do. the Residents. ere are t-shirts "I am STIG". each knows the cars and the pulse of the buyer.Who will be STIG in US? is mystery generates a viral fever that unites the tribe. And STIG beats Hamilton! When US Top Gear was announced . Performers like the Unknown Comic. all performers who have used masks and hidden identity to heighten interest in their e Tribes Casebook page 181 . is unidentified. It's impossible to mistake the STIG for an average person. a talking point that evokes the passion for this tribe. there are rumours (is STIG actually Lewis Hamilton?). secret language. his performance tells you he is the best. STIG is the Top Gear test driver whose identity is unknown. but there are shows… and then there are shows. frank opinion on cars and life… and… soon we have a tribe. enigmatic "John Doe" has started a viral movement that has caught fire.Men watch lot of shows about cars. lap times that are really among the best in business. pen-names. And on top of that there is the element of mystery. A couple of hosts create their brand with unbiased. e buzz subsides when they go head to head. e show is Top Gear and the celebrated hosts are Jeremy Clarkson and the slightly-less-celebrated James May and Richard Hammond and they tower over public imagination.off it went again .the STIG.
work. Mystery addresses curiosity. It spices up the tribal connections.doesn't every tribe need a little bit of STIG to catch popular imagination? Be careful! Passionate tribes are dangerous Jean-Paul Pangalos Don´t mess around with passionate tribes. Not exactly the stuff of traditional marketing theory. It's something that's not always critical to the main event. It´s the most popular sport on earth and has achieved things that even the most powerful politicians in the world could not e Tribes Casebook page 182 . but when it represents all the core values of the tribe and has integrity. ere's almost something compelling about this anonymity that makes people want to come out and declare their allegiance. Passion is the fuel that propels tribes to do the best things and also the worst. e same traits that make a great tribe remarkable can also make it extremely dangerous and violent. it becomes a "true" bond capable of creating tribal cohesion. Soccer is the perfect example of this. So then . eir leaders are powerful and their followers are dangerous. but the combination of grapevine. grass roots and the opportunity for people's imagination to fill the communication vacuum creates the tribe.
A father in Brazil slammed his baby boy to the floor while watching his team lose a game on TV. It was organized by Shimon Peres and the Peres Center for Peace. soccer has been able to create a bridge and put them on the same team. In World War I. But an excess of passion can produce horror. Hooligans have become world famous for their violence. it has been documented that the allies organized soccer matches against the Germans during the Christmas Truce.accomplish. Spain on Wednesday. in an attempt to strengthen the trust and collaboration between Israelis and Palestinians. A soccer game between the Spanish national team and a team formed by Israeli and Palestinian players took place. In Argentina. When two religions have been at war for thousands of years. But not everything is pretty and pink. Just remember. According to local news reports. some with guns. December 27 of 2006. be careful with the power of passionate tribes or things can get out of hand. boarded the bus and accosted the players. Channelled positively it can do miracles. The Twin Tribe e Tribes Casebook page 183 . the Gimnasia de Jujuy team bus pulled into the parking lot of their stadium for practice before an away fixture. fights and outright rioting. ey demanded better results. a group of eight to 10 fans. is is what happened in Seville. Passion is the common denominator of all these stories.
And. People asked questions. People stared. Although. all these people are here for me. No one stares at me anymore…. "Can you read each other's minds?" Not really. "Who's older?" Jill "By how many minutes?" Four minutes. Of course. my mother always did bake us each our own birthday cake. We never ask "how many minutes apart".an identical twin. ey are all born by Caesarean.Jill Anderson I am a twin. When I grew up twins were unique. it wasn't until College graduation that Jennifer or I ever had our own celebrations. I can still remember being at my party and "thinking. we would reply "What's it like to be a twin?" What's it like to not be a twin? was our reply. all those gifts are for me!".. we never had our own birthday party. I have my own birthday party. True lovers Tony Williams e Tribes Casebook page 184 . ings change. wow. We had each taken time off during college and ended up graduating a year apart.. We live thousands of miles apart. We grew up. It felt strange and odd to have all that attention focused on "just" me. Twins are everywhere. In fact. Fertility drugs were invented.at least. not because I'm a twin. We never had to start the first day of school alone.
the whole time I had been aware of people moving through the church to visit Shakespeare's grave and then move on when suddenly a hand rested gently on my shoulder. "I was a class leader." He took me forward. e Tribes Casebook page 185 .Sometimes you don't realise there is a tribe that feels you are a member until it recognises you. I was struck by the story of Lin Hao. the nine-year-old Chinese boy who survived the earthquake that killed many of his classmates and countrymen. I keep the rope there for the tourists. he seemed almost matter-of-fact when he replied." One of the proudest was playing Henry V in a high School production. I walked into that small church in Stratford and saw the stone set into the floor behind the red rope and had to sit down in the second pew as the emotion overwhelmed me. It was obvious to him. When I was 44 I visited England from my home in Australia for the first time. followed by quiet tears. An old man had recognised a fellow tribe member. even at such a young age. and he seemed to have no hesitation in doing it. never more so that when I visited Stratford-pon-Avon. his hand on my shoulder. I've always loved Shakespeare's plays. ey were still flowing ten minutes later. It was my responsibility to help them. moved the rope and let me kneel down and touch the grey stone." I can almost see him shrug as he said it. One of the most memorable events of my childhood was travelling the hundred miles to Sydney to see Judi Dench and the rest of the Royal Shakespeare Company in "As You Like It. I looked up to see an old man in a vicar's collar who said "Would you like to go forward. I saw my first at 3 when my mother played the Lady in the Scottish play. It was a moving experience. Are great leaders born or made? Tonja Conway During the Olympic opening ceremonies. that it was the right thing to do. When asked why he went back into the building to save his classmates.
and 2) they are bold enough to do it despite risk or opposition. After a few minutes we started chatting a little among ourselves during the pauses the guide gave us. two Chinese women and our German tour guide. agreeing with one another on the beauty and grace of the art on display. e Tribes Casebook page 186 .this leadership that is worthy of the label "great"? ere are certainly helpful attributes that can be developed. but I think that anyone who's achieved the status of "great leader" can look back on their life and see that they had it in them all along.I would submit that great leaders are great because 1) they have an innate sense of what is right to do. e guide maintained a perfect pace.some with right motives and some not. temporary tribe during the course of the tour. allowing us to enjoy the spectacle that she was explaining to us. ere were seven of us: myself and my girlfriend. We formed a small. Can it be learned or cultivated . It just took the right circumstances to bring it out. the result of the work of Balthasar Neumann and Giovanni Tiepolo. Are you positioning yourself to be ready for the situation that will develop your potential? Spontaneous miniature temporary tribes Barry Adams We were all staring at the ceiling of the grand staircase of the Würzburg Residence palace. giving us just enough time to absorb it before bringing us to the next highlight. a British couple. e guide had just explained in accented but well-articulated English that this ceiling was a marvel of 18th century architectural and artistic skills. Many aspire to be a great leader . Now we were marveling at the detailed fresco covering the entire surface of this massive unsupported ceiling.
e Tribes Casebook page 187 . at feeling quickly passed when one of our friends. and the dad carried the other youngster on his shoulders. passed me on our way to the top and merrily said some encouragements to me as she seemingly without effort scaled the narrow winding path that lead to the top. though for me it felt like a heroic ascend of the K2. and they provided it without hesitation. ree days later I was breathing heavily. e mom carried one of her kids on her chest in one of those elaborately wound scarfs. not passing me even when I gave them the opportunity by resting for a bit by the side of the path. connected by our appreciation of our surroundings. they engaged me in conversation. Instead they paused with me. gulping down as much air as I could to desperately feed oxygen to my aching legs as I struggled up a steep incline on a mountaintop in Austria. My German is spotty and unpracticed but with some effort I could make myself understood. a mom and dad with two young children and an older man I assumed was the grandfather. becoming a small tribe amidst other tribes. ey seemed to realize I needed some encouraging companionship to get me up that mountain. but instead of getting annoyed. My girlfriend and I were visiting friends. but we formed a temporary bond during the 45 minutes of the tour. Not once did they say anything to make me feel ashamed of my lack of physical prowess. An Austrian family was catching up with me. especially feeble as I seemed compared to their mountaineering physiques. quietly and indirectly coaching me up the mountain with their chatter and their presence. or even politely ignoring the unhealthy fat-arse blocking their way. Which to them it probably was. and they slowed down their speech to allow me to understand them better. and Würzburg had been a brief pause in our two-day drive from my home in the Netherlands to the small town in Austria where our friends live. ey walked through this epic climb as if it was nothing more than a stroll in the park.I never learned any of the names of my fellow tourists. ey treated me as an old acquaintance. seven months pregnant. Of course they didn't fail to notice my overweight bulk dragging up the mountain. ey accompanied me up the mountain. Our friends had decided that we would best enjoy the scenery of Austria from the top of a relatively small and easy to climb mountain.
When people fear something. but they took me in their tribe for half an hour and allowed me to share in their combined joy of the outdoors. and it never ceases to amaze me how easily we can connect with one another.I never learned their names either. Fear holds e Tribes Casebook page 188 . Fear keeps you from doing. Fear seeks stagnation. do they? at contrast gives us an easy. Fear is a crippling thing in all walks of life. Fear or Fear Not. enhancing my own enjoyment of the experience. Fear sucks out your soul and smothers your passion for life like a heavy wet blanket. Fear-based marketing is easy to do. "Is this message based in fear?" If it is. Whenever you need to weigh someone's words. but I don't see it as the "high road". I like to think that if I am going to market something. ey focus on how good McDonald's is. There Is No Try. at was the second time in three days that I'd been a part of a small. I'd believe that. I am always wary of fear-based marketing. I lost track of them when I reached the top and joined up with my friends again. I have read that fear is the opposite of love as darkness is the absence of light. you can ask yourself. then it is probably something that needs to be changed or avoided. People who preach fear are usually full of fear. Fear is easy to peddle because there are so many buyers out there in the world. they certainly don't appear to be loving the experience. but not always. the product is good enough as it is without scaring people away from the competition. but their spontaneous companionship is something I'll never forget. Humans tend to form a lot of those tribes whenever the opportunity presents itself. simple test. full of fear. spontaneously formed tribe that lasted only for a short while. McDonald's doesn't make money by scaring you away from Wendy's. People who are unhappy are usually. Adam Tribes are a useful way to conquer fear and to create your life the way you want it.
at least. Yoda was half right. You can change anytime. the darkness flees in the presence of the light. Tribes can indeed be very powerful. reacting to the waves they create in your world. Possibly the most powerful force on the planet. its victim. then you have the back seat drivers that complain about the drivers abilities but rarely offer to drive the pack. Do or do not. Tribes can be useful in this fight against fear. without a tribe that we were aware of. Roosevelt was right. risk-free or your money back. certain processes and pack orders are established. When you crack open a door to a dark room. "Fear not" are the two most powerful words I know. Tribes give us support and a consistent environment. Courage against fear is not easy. but it is always worth it. Fear allows people to control you. All you have to do is intend and commit to change. Garrison Keillor and his commercials for Powdermilk Biscuits notwithstanding.you hostage to get you to stay the same. One such routine is lunch. is is where Tribes help. e Tribes Casebook page 189 . Many of us have done so without a tribe. Fear does the same in the presence of its opposite. Tribal Activity. "Do" is the single most powerful word I know. However. Now that we are aware of tribes in our lives. this internal combustion of conquering fear in our lives is that much easier. Shotgun being the second highest order next to the driver. the Dark Side need not dominate your destiny. ose of you who have fought this battle know exactly what I am talking about. When the same pack of workers go out to lunch everyday. there is not try. Tribes help you to grow courage and resolve to put fear aside and do what needs to be done. Sean McMenemy Routine can be a big part of tribal interaction.
e tribe noticed the same seating arrangement was firmly established in the ranks of the group and the sidewalk was just wide enough to reinforce this behavior. Tucker Max. Most just post e Tribes Casebook page 190 . Most have been brought there by their interest in their leader. the tribe order would scatter and reorder themselves. it stands to represent the underlying philosophy of the board: to live life on your own terms. ey opted out of a motorized form of transportation and used the old fashion method of walking. While this header may be a bit haughty. Also the two ride-a-longs maintained their position bringing up the rear. to not be defined by others. e Rudius Media Messageboard is a tribe of fans who have grown into a community. alongside the silhouette of a warrior basking beneath dark clouds.A New Type of Fan Club Tom Hosford "rudius (n. which is run by a professional Strong-man competitor. an internet celebrity who is loved by many. and hated by the rest. After a short distance this just didn't feel right to the group and the order would drift back into the already comfortable established pattern. Some post short stories on "the writing forum". such as other tribes walking in the opposite direction. Some discuss work-outs and nutrition on "the ChasingKaz forum".When this routine is firmly established it can easily cross over into other forms of the tribal mobility. When obstacles would disrupt the established pattern. to speak and act truthfully. and receive critiques from experienced writers. But most have stayed for additional reasons. Once the tribe realized that eating hot dogs everyday was weighing on the group in a bad way. When at least four members of the tribe was making the journey the driver would lead the pack by taking the front left position and owner of the imaginary shotgun would always be front right. or sidewalk maintenance.) – A wooden sword. During several journeys to the sub shop in an attempt to replicate the Jarad method of weight lost. Rudius Media Messageboard . given by the roman emperor to a gladiator upon attainment of his freedom" Atop the Rudius Media Messageboard lies this definition.
lost motivation. and there are extreme ones." rough his messageboard. is is branding re-defined. and have helped him choose songs for his new movie of the same title. board… I've been so sheltered from reality for so long that I've lost emotions. " is whole week I've spent eighty to ninety percent of my time on this .. Max issued a warning to other members: "Use this place… for what it is--an entertaining diversion… Do not let it substitute for a real life." Dimeo later sued for the incidents. Max and his fans joined in deriding a man named Anthony Dimeo. e Tribes Casebook page 191 . lost interest." One fan called him a "lazy-eyed retard. a self-proclaimed heir to a blueberry farming fortune who referred to himelf as a "widely respected and often quoted 28-year-old financial advisor." while Max titled him "the blueberry douche. although the case was ultimately dismissed. While incidents such as these can stir fans to cheer on their hero. one frequent poster broke down and announced his departure from the board. In 2006.their own musings on "the Idiot Board". but it is the exchange of entertainment and advice from fan to fan through which this tribe has truly thrived. What has resulted is a legion of dedicated fans. In 2004. there are casual users.. Fans have helped him choose the cover for his New York Times bestselling book "I Hope ey Serve Beer in Hell". is place became my life. wanting to see him succeed. confessing that it had consumed his whole life. Says one of Max's assistants." At their core they share an interest in Max. most threads don't even concern Max. described as about "all topics that divert and entertain. For most. the board is just a vehicle for entertainment." Max's messageboard has grown into something much larger than the site it originated out of itself. and represents a community much larger than those just interested in the tales of booze and sex he is famous for. and SAG actor. "Talk about 'branding'. is exchange IS his brand." In response. Discussions are diverse. claiming they caused him emotional and financial distress. Max has cultivated a new form of direct interactivity between artist and fan. ranging from topics such as the credibility of postmodernism to questions like "How do you wipe your ass?" But like all virtual tribes. Tucker's brand has become the thoughts and ideas of his fans.
We offer 25 cents above minimum wage. If you have to exaggerate the truth to get people to join your Tribe. What people mean… Help Wanted: Looking for a 5am starter who'd like to serve 100 breakfasts by 9am without any help. meal discounts and a chance at advancement.Which Tribe would you rather join? Bonnie Diczhazy What people say… Help Wanted: Looking for a motivated self-starter who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment. maybe your Tribe isn't worth joining. We offer profit-sharing. Better yet… What if people created a better Tribe instead of a better ad? Help Wanted: We are looking for a team of 3 people to serve breakfast to 100 people. a $100 uniform allowance. benefits. health care benefits. We offer competitive wages. It would be so much easier to figure out which Tribe to join if people said what they meant and not what they wanted you to believe. free uniforms. free breakfasts and management training. discount movie tickets. a free poly/cotton blend polo shirt and .75 dounts with a chance to be head server if you last here more then a year. e Tribes Casebook page 192 .
He had friends at Princeton. In 1933 Dan and his new bride Ginger set off on their honeymoon. than the suit. A sixteen-foot canvas-covered boat. He wrote seven books on trout fishing. Aficionados of adventure stories will tell you. Embarking from the deck of the sailing ship Star of India in San Diego harbor. No. and early 70s. Seven. " e Royal Road to Romance. and eventually gathered into his first book. using one of the most important commercial shipping lanes in the world? Not on his watch! Ah. that's not the half of it. And 50s. And 40s. In 1921. As he travelled. e canal master was miffed. down the west coast to Panama—and through the canal. Richard Halliburton was a loner. eir trip down the coast. presumably by an upper window." (And into half a dozen more after that. As a serious trout fisherman might tell you. 60s. chronicled in the book Enchanted Vagabonds. they boarded the sailing kayak Dan had built. but apparently he was happier tramping down the road on his own. eir arrival at the canal was nearly a non-epic. is an epic adventure. one day at a time. but there was a precedent.) e Tribes Casebook page 193 . he wrote. His missives were published by newspapers. and set out to hitchhike around the world. he left Princeton. there was more to Dan.You Don't Always Know Who's Following Your Lead Joel D Canfield Dana Lamb was a bank executive in the 30s. as his family and friends called him. he was livid. and planned on sailing.
and he was a traveller who needed funds.Halliburton was an iconoclast. Dan Lamb had. Her enthusiasm made her a natural salesperson. they traversed the Panama Canal. I have no reason to believe that Halliburton and Lamb knew each other. Which is how he came to be the only person I've ever heard of to swim the Panama Canal. She gradually built up a clientele. though. unhappy. by tonnage. Dan and Ginger were inspired. they invoked the name of their glorious leader. was slightly heavier than the SS Halliburton. a young woman living in Queretaro.D. Stein Erika Dinora Roque Luna. Halliburton did not overtly try to persuade anyone to do or be anything. His father was wealthy and infuential. he did the unconventional simply because it was unconventional. Total cost: thirty-six cents. and Richard wasn't above using his father's contacts to gain access to the inaccessible. but she was hindered by a lack of reliable transportation. Micro-tribes Making Micro-loans J. As an intentional influencer he was a non-starter. Like Halliburton before them. eir boat. A phone call later he was sullenly cooperative. as all vessels. but her salary wasn't high enough to cover her own living expenses and provide for her elderly parents. She had a job. He wrote for two reasons: writers write. ey paid over a dollar. Depending exclusively on the bus made e Tribes Casebook page 194 . being charged. the Vagabunda. by Halliburton's books. charged by tonnage. When they came to the Panama Canal. e canal master (the same? I don't know) was indignant. Erika began going door-to-door selling products from a catalogue. e SS Richard Halliburton traversed the Panama Canal. He always seemed pleasantly surprised that anyone had read his scribblings. Mexico faced a situation that is common for the world's poor. obdurate. So she quit. in part.
While these aggregate numbers are impressive. My tribe is the two-dozen people who provided capital to Edelmira Sevilla Gomez of Chinandega. e beggar girl raised e Tribes Casebook page 195 . I know because I was one of nine people who provided funds to fix the car. Nicaragua so she could expand the inventory in her small grocery store. For the poor. but it was broken and the $475 repair cost seemed insurmountable as local lenders wanted upwards of 76% interest to provide the funds. She retraced her steps and let the coins clink in the cup. In Erika's case she was finally able to get a loan at a reasonable interest rate.kiva. process the loans and work with entrepreneurs on their businesses. My nine-year old daughter Breanna and I once discovered a girl kneeling at the base of an escalator at the Paris Place Charles De Gaulle subway station. An empty cup sat in front of her. Kiva is not my tribe. eyes closed and her hands pressed together in prayer.org). individuals can join a tribe to help a beekeeper in Ghana improve hive production. Erika had a car. or another tribe to provide the means for a farmer in Cambodia to buy a tractor to increase crop yields. I am a member of Erika's tribe. "Is she poor for real?" "I think so. Kiva partners with local microfinance organizations that screen applicants. If she is successful than our tribe is successful. For as little as $25." I said. but the impact is huge. Since October 2005 more than 300. sometimes the difference between just getting by and actually moving ahead is only a few hundred dollars. an innovative not-for-profit that uses the Internet to match individual lenders with needy entrepreneurs in the developing world. Nor is the local field partner that administers the loan. typically 10 to 12 months. Her scarf-covered head was bowed. ese are micro-tribes that make micro-loans. Breanna stopped and asked after we had passed. handing Bre some change. e bright silk of her dress spread out on the cement like a paper fan.it difficult to deliver products to her clients. Edelmira leads our tribe. I found her through Kiva (http://www.000 individuals have lent over $40 million to small businesses through Kiva. e loans are indeed small averaging only $473and the terms are short. or help a cosmetics shop owner in Afghanistan expand inventory.
promote and even leverage their own identity factors to validate self-worth." Transcending Your Tribes' Identity Ana Lorena Hart Identity is a powerful motivator. en she can put away her cup and go to school. there is an equal response in the name of the Tribe to preserve its own identity as a whole. physical ability. For every time Tribe Members seek to assert their identity as individuals. e same is true for the identity of a tribe. irrationality. faith. lifted her hands. national origin. race. hobby. but many. because her parents have capital for their small business. She was poor for real. tribes create norms of interaction that in practice lead to the generation of culture.. etc. hide. skill. political affiliation. No longer will she be "poor for real. is simple act of disbursing coins provided only temporary relief. She should be in school.her head. To protect privilege and prestige. one does not fit all. e Tribes Casebook page 196 . Kiva allows me to reach out to the beggar girl and become a member of her family's tribe. I am certain the beggar girl still kneels at the base of the escalator. and appeared to whisper a blessing to my daughter. Culture glues the tribe together and becomes a tangible source of pride and sometimes. Whether it is gender. e gratitude revealed in her piercing brown eyes left no doubt. but a tribe can certainly represent a factor –or groups of factors – of such identity. is equation quickly becomes privilege and prestige. e complexity of an individual's identity can't be contained within a tribe. Individuals stretch beyond reach to protect. yet her financial plight keeps her away. She probably wants to be in school.
. and renege tribes throughout their lives. ey were living on ex lead mines and all kids were highly intoxicated.for others through them. but what we have done –and will do.We belong to many tribes because not one single approach to "feeling proud to be a member of…" xyz identity factor provides a fulfilling answer to the questions: Who am I? And. but what we have done through them. We are not our tribes. Is not who we are in isolation. We had to convince them that they needed to relocate. and for our first meeting with the communities we prepared a power point presentation. e Tribes Casebook page 197 . at's the journey! What would your legacy be? PowerPoint doesn't always work! Claudiu Murariu It was late December. but who we become when we reach out in community. what would my legacy be? Individuals join. It is the experience of that cumulative interaction that unleashes the individual's potential and given right to define their own legacy towards the greater good. We are more than our tribes. Christmas eve.. but we will not comprehend this until we transcended them trough service and collaboration. when i had to start working on a Power Point we needed to present to 3 Roma communities in North Kosovo. We are not our employment titles. UN decided that forced relocation will not look good in the media and hired a group of activists to convince the people to move on their own to a special designated living facility (ex military). I was part of that team. UN and WHO neglected them for 7 years till a journalist uncovered their situation. accumulate.
We. simple points. and when i think about it almost didn't happen because of a power point presentation! United States of Assimilation.Really well done. We looked around us and even the electricity that has been provided to us by them was a luxury. We did it in each of the 3 communities and all of them reacted the same. ey didn't believe the lead issue as for 7 years all the doctors that came in the villages told them that they were all healthy. We've been great entertainment but so out of their world and problems. the nice images all of them were great.. e Tribes Casebook page 198 . ey all were so amazed that they barely heard a thing we were saying and left after the presentation. we failed to communicate something that for us was so obvious. e kids were in a terrible shape.. We educated a political activist group between them and gave basic negotiation trainings. e big screen. We managed to relocate them. For the next 3 months we only gave Power Point presentations to UN. with power point knowledge. so strong were the facts and the power point slides. We really were interested in their faith. very well presented. strong messages. To the communities we used spoken words that came from our heart. ey couldn't relocate: Serb military sections were threatening them to move otherwise will rape their daughters and kill their sons and the Albanian ones threaten the same if they would relocate. Everybody thought it was great.. But power point slides was just pure marketing bullshit compared to their real problems. We were applauded. All this and we just came to them with a power point presentation. We thought that after people will understand the situation they were in would want to move right away. with high educational background. the nice done presentation. with knowing how to manage projects. at was the most sustainable project i have ever seen..
I was a typical Nigerian kid. But I've been a citizen of the United States of Assimilation. and though I didn't own Hammer pants. I could fake a Brooklyn accent with the best of them. I became a proud citizen of the United States of America. Yes. Indeed. I thought I knew everything necessary to fit in. America's greatest export is its culture. One of his heroes was John Wayne. I loved watching e Cosby Show. And it's a beautiful thing. I did have all his videos. It was the late eighties / early nineties. And knew all his moves. back in Nigeria. raised (at least partially) on American culture. e Tribes Casebook page 199 . since childhood. Georgia. he grew up watching old Westerns.Bolaji Oyejide In 2005. ere I was. You see . I remember my Dad telling me stories of growing up. Please forgive me. I was rocking the stone washed jeans and Reebok ankle boots. Fast-forward a few years. I was killing 'em with the high top fade. I moved from Nigeria to attend college in Atlanta. I was in high school.
As we trek forward in the 21st century. a new culture. 15 years later it will come back to bite you in e Tribes Casebook page 200 . A tribe needs guidelines and mores. It needs common goals and shared experiences. And so I worked harder to fit in. great. Isn't that what being a tribe is all about? And yet .I did not. It is what makes the USA unique today.. While American culture has blessed the world from sea to shining sea. But heaven help you if you choose math geek. a lot of kids are eschewing their own culture in favor of "being American". And it is what makes the great tribes. you want to share the best your tribe has to offer. Moral of the story: If you have a high-top fade. Its color. kids are under pressure to "fit in". If anyone noted a hint of an accent. I stuck out like a sore thumb. I covered it up.) ere is comfort in being homogeneous. here. e recent Olympics are a reminder that each of us is an ambassador for our tribe.. a new tribe member brings. (Only later would I learn that the ladies dig accents. and promoting homogeneity for its own sake. but also bring back the best of theirs. today.the United States of America was founded and strengthened by a melting pot of cultures. cheerleader.) I wasn't the only one working hard to assimilate. To not color outside the lines. To not be different. we must be watchful against imposing assimilation at all costs. don't take so many photographs. Its vibrance. that gives the tribe its greatness. social butterfly. or math geek. But it is those unique flairs that a new perspective. And in true Olympic spirit. To not be remarkable (except as narrowly defined football star. Bummer. And even in the US.
The Parrothead Tribe Trish Lambert ere's a guy over there doing Jello shots in a shark costume. songwriter. Most of his career has been spent e Tribes Casebook page 201 . A little bit country." one of the least attractive of his bulging portfolio of songs. and a lot a genre of his own. but let's not talk about that part) has created one of the most age-diverse tribes on the planet. "Come Monday. of course!!! James William Buffett. Keep it open to different ideas. Other moral of the story: Remember what the tribe is about. you'll think you're in a garden. made the charts for a brief period a long time ago." the song that has become the anthem of his tribe (followed closely by "Fins" and "A Pirate Looks at Forty") never hit the charts. and different perspectives. Just hang out at the pre-concert party in the parking lot and you'll see what I mean. Surprisingly. But Buffett never cared. a little bit rock and roll. different personalities. "Margaritaville. there are so many Hawaiian shirts in the crowd. Buffett was a one-trick pony for a long time in the eyes of Top 40 music followers. What? You don't know where you are? It's a Jimmy Buffet concert. But the culture that carries you toward that goal should flow like water. singer. And if you kind of blur your vision a bit. author (and incredibly astute businessman. e goal that brings you together will remain unchanged. Different cultures.the butt. Check out the girl in the sunhat with little boxes of Junior Mints hanging from the brim.
and a jester to his tribe. His broadway collaboration with novelist Herman Wouk and his own three #1 best selling books are just a couple of examples of his continuous forays into new things. take off your shoes. 8 of his 30 albums have gone gold and 9 have gone platinum. the Parrothead population has taken on a life of its own. Today. or the Land Shark Lager he produces with Anheuser Busch. it's not just Jimmy himself--it's a state of mind. Parrotheadness is not just the songs. And the Parrotheads flock to almost all of the ventures he launches. Jimmy is a man of surprises that delight his tribe. New Parents Tribe Russell Fisher e Tribes Casebook page 202 . which is broadcast live from his Margaritaville restaurant in Orlando. Radio Margaritaville. the person who escapes the crazy making everyday world and takes up residence aboard a boat or on a beach on the island of "St. hit the play button and get lost in "Son of a Son of a Sailor" or "One Particular Harbor. He endorses the mythology of the tropic slacker. Even more significant. put on this Hawaiian shirt. suck down this Jello shot. and you'll start getting into the Parrothead groove.doing it his way. Jimmy is a story teller." flat hand held perpendicular to the top of the head. Here. his mythology is self-stoked by an a amazing business enterprise that stretches from his famous concerts to a chain of well-placed restaurants/gift shops. And while he is both the chief and shaman of his tribe. Members recognize each other various ways--from wearing the usually clever branded merchandise to the simple "sign of the fin. in spite of being told by industry "experts" that if he didn't conform he'd never make it. he leads a tribe of Parrotheads that covers the globe and spans generations." and you'll grok the tribe for sure." Ironically. whether it is his streaming Internet station. Somewhere. or the Margaritaville casinos he is building (in partnership with Harrah's) in Biloxi. an icon. a particular world view. turn your face to the sun. has he made it. Boy. New Jersey. Now. Florida. Mississippi and Atlantic City.
She gave advice about helping with sleeping. during which I wondered if I was going to make it as a new father. Strangers become friends. I gave a weary smile and explained that I had a three-day old son. Because I am not too creative. Mothers and mothers-in-laws become saints. I asked her how old he was and she responded that he was four—members of this tribe understand that units of age are typically measured in months. And now as I have found my footing. I call it: " e Tribe of New Parents" (the title works because it is descriptive). Ever since this blessed day—now blessed as I have been able to cope—that we have welcomed a parade of helpers—from our e Tribes Casebook page 203 . While there. Other colleagues offered pertinent counsel. And then the following day. We understand that sometimes we lean and sometimes we bear up. Suddenly I had a friend. I met another young parent at the pediatrician office. I noticed a young mother with a baby that I could easily see as my child in the next few months. ese new parent times are prone to be very tender and it is at moments completely overwhelming to understand how one can care for these little humans. My faltering steps were a result of the previous evening—it was one of those devastatingly disheartening all-night events. We give and take encouragement and advice. We receive and make meals and offer and accept gifts. but are loath to correct—that is sometimes relegated to those who don't understand because of lack or faded experiences. Within seconds I had just the encouragement and added knowledge I needed to make it through the day.I realized I was in a new tribe when I stumbled into the local grocery store for a few items soon after the baby's birth in August of 2008. Neighbors become family. A work associate offered very personal encouragement as we have worked through these first few days of adjustment. We look to "What to Expect" and doctors as leaders and to others for support. I have been able to reach out to others.
is was a tribe made of 3. they are able to truly and acutely empathize with the newest father and mother. Without the dog's intervention. It is also a community built somewhat on reciprocity. Evolving Tribes Polly Tribes come in varying sizes. It is a community that is built on the mutual knowledge that everyone can use some help. I recently experienced change in a tribe. How grateful I am for this tribe. e dog was a conduit. team. And. they are molded over time. Numerous people were brought together by way of the dog. introductions were made and connections were formed. change. ese tribes live on through the heart and essence of the original tribe. Weaker. fade in and out. shapes and affiliations. baby gifts. e Tribes Casebook page 204 . flowers. He led the 2 toward new relationships. e dog interceded. Cohesive tribes evolve. prayers. class or customer. and other friend-based circles—offering dinners. ey have different names like pack. It is particularly poignant in this one area to see the succoring offered by those who still have these new experiences fresh in their minds. but find a way to prevail. religious. neighborly. these people would have drifted by one another without any notice. ey have different purposes.familial. less thoughtful tribes fall prey to the inescapable change. 2 humans and a dog. and companionship for our benefit. but more in a "pay it forward" approach. It would a have been a truly difficult time without this support.
He got up each morning without any guarantees for this day or the next. He was there and then he was gone. He taught his tribe the importance of tolerance. All of it. Mostly. came when called upon without hesitation. He did what the other 2 had always asked of him (make it easy).e dog had an open mind. genuine tribes carry on propped up by the character and spirit on which they were built. the vet. and a spirit that taught the significance of unguarded accessibility. He accepted change and worked with it. and remarkable? Or. Some more enjoyable than others. He knew no strangers. All worthy. Real. and he simply lay down and died. It can happen quickly. No guarantees that the 2 would stick with him at all costs. ese holes will change your tribe. since this one might be the great one. He trusted and knew his tribe. full of intrigue and stimulation. trust and openness. e 2 had lost a leader. with little warning. devotion. ese same dynamics are at play in your tribe. the art of forward thinking and the tranquility of faithfulness. ere are pieces and parts of your tribe that would be deeply missed if gone. Can your tribe carry on in the face of change? Will it honor its past and still be viable. after 14 years of partnership. only the idea that some kind of a venture lay ahead. ready and always willing. amazing. No guarantees that the 2 would return to him when they left. He met each new outing with the fascination and joie de vivre that only a trusting creature. will it loose its way and be consumed by the holes? e Tribes Casebook page 205 . Worry was a waste. gone in under five minutes. the dog decided that night would be as good as any to end his earthly journey. No guarantees that the 2 were driving him to his beloved park rather than on a mundane trip to the store or worse yet. His tribe had been forever changed. No maps or plans. Adaptable. Be prepared. and continually unearthed new territories. It is up to you to think about what those holes mean to the tribe and react accordingly. can appreciate. One particular Saturday in early July. their gateway to certain groups of people. he was a laid back fellow who was an agent of change.
In January 2008. sorcerers and wizards seeking spells and powerful amulets that would aid in their political aspirations. eir plan: to go into battle with the spiritual forces that gripped the country. their passengers ordered out and their identity declared. at same morning.000 immediately became internal refugees. Hope died. and close to 300. e Tribes Casebook page 206 . over 1000 people died. I voted for the man that I thought would bring the change I envisioned for my country. and the results of the elections tipped the already tumultuous situation into something that every Kenyan will remember for years to come. and in the power of the millions of votes cast that day throughout the country. ese two tribes have fiercely reviled each other for decades. I believed in the power of my vote. matatus (public transportation vans) were stopped. People were slaughtered merely for being members of opposing tribes.Msafara. A group of church leaders in Nairobi got together and decided to do something about it. and his most fierce opponent a member of the Luo tribe. my vote brought in the most chilling experience in the history of Kenya. Kenya gathered to elect their president. ese church leaders. Sadly. would visit the main cities that were spiritual hotspots and literally wage war against these forces of spiritual darkness. Toenails. bits of hair and other body parts were also proffered as burnt offerings unto spirits and ghouls that would bring about the dreams that many aspirants had been salivating over. e nation was at a standstill. and their homes razed to the ground. in one week.Wheels of Hope Kangai Mwiti Msafara: Swahili for a caravan. On December 27. eir children's feet were cut off. 2007. Animals were offered as sacrifices to special gods that would ensure success at the polls. e sworn-in president was a member of the Kikuyu tribe. Here in Nairobi. What numerous Kenyans did not know is that their esteemed parliamentary candidates had visited witches. an entire nation braved chilly mists and drizzles to stand in long lines and vote for change.
We are humans first. Suddenly. ese church leaders united a tribe of people that was passionate about upholding basic humanity over personal gain. Churches united to plan and implement the journey. and giving food and other items to those that needed it. eir journey to heal the land. Msafara was more than just a week-long project conjured by a group of church leaders. seeking to be the hands and feet of Christ to the people. And that tribe grew with each passing day of the Msafara. CEO's of companies. laugh and counsel with the hurting. cry. while their husbands ransacked department stores for baby food and diapers. For one week. feminine products. water and shelter to the internally displaced people. they told anyone who would listen about their plan. Parents gave extra cans of food lying around their homes. For two months. there was one voice. Women searched their homes for extra pairs of socks for little kids. no one really believed that witchcraft would be used as a campaign strategy. Companies united in giving of clothes. food. and feminine products for displaced women. ere was unity. And no one really believed that these church leaders would have any sort of impact.With Christianity in Kenya almost at 80%. or those kids who'd gotten lost in all the confusion. they travelled throughout Kenya ministering to the bereaved. And the caravan of hope started their journey. e Tribes Casebook page 207 . hold. international foundations and even international peace keepers. Youth groups planned to travel to give their time and attention to people who only weeks before had been hunted. It was a caravan of hope that instilled in my country the belief that we are more than just Kikuyus or Luos or Kalenjins or Kambas or Merus. Volunteers gave themselves to just going and playing with orphaned kids. According to their website. Other more affluent kids gave away their Christmas toys to those that didn't have any. their numbers grew. and give hope to it's people brought back the basic humanity that had been abandoned weeks earlier. nongovernmental organizations. ey alerted the media. From 100 pastors and 300 volunteers in Mombasa to tens of thousands of hopeful Kenyans in Kisumu. they would pray. And with each city they visited. Teachers volunteered their time and money to set up schools in the refugee camps. cleansing products. Mothers mobilized themselves to knit clothes for new born babies.
the golf tribe do like to spend money. virtually NO ONE is capable of meeting the accepted "standard" number of shots for each hole on the golf course. e Tribes Casebook page 208 . by and large the numbers are static. ey spend money on clubs. What are some of the characteristics of the golf tribe? First. most members of the tribe think they play better than they do. there are definitely rules and rituals. Now I am a fully fledged member of the hacker sub genre of the golf tribe. at is. So its an immensely frustrating game because perfection is so hard to achieve. plaids. its quite exclusive. but you tend to cheat yourself too. Only a small % of the population play. they spend money in the bar and restaurant after a game. en I decided to try it.The Golf Tribe Peter Davies For many years I paid no particular attention to this tribe. Second. Beats me. they spend money on joining a course. but stupid checks. Its a game where you play mostly against yourself. and outrageous colours are OK. Fourth. less than 1% of active golfers are actually good enough to go round a course in "par". and although the numbers are increasing in countries where a growing middle class is taking it up. So jeans are a no no on most courses. they spend money on silly clothes and shoes that you couldn't wear anywhere else. ird. Fifth.
What is apparent to me is that golf is a good way to get an insight into people's character and how they deal with setbacks.. For whatever reason this tribe tends to play with people of the same sex. ~Raymond Floyd Golf gives you an insight into human nature. e social interactions of members is also fascinating. You play in twosomes. It also seems to me to be a profoundly sexist and divided game. ere are plenty of setbacks in golf. You have a variety of ways to keep score. your own as well as your opponent's. ~Paul O'Neil ey call it golf because all of the other four-letter words were taken. And then you end up back at the bar discussing how it went with other people who played the same course before or after you did. as our streets have e Tribes Casebook page 209 . ~Grantland Rice Golf is a good walk spoiled. ladies have restrictions on when and how they can play. What do you see? Do you see neighbors gathering for summer barbeques or potluck dinners? Do you see your children safely playing outside with the neighbor's kids? Most likely not.. Here are just a few of my favourites: Golf is essentially an exercise in masochism conducted out-of-doors. golf has attracted a ton of wonderful quotes. In traditional clubs. I have played with lady golfers but this seems to be the exception rather than the rule. threesomes or foursomes. ~Mark Twain EcoHousing. and switching off the negative feedback from a bad shot is quite difficult to do. Finally.Green Neighbors Susan McFee Go to your window and look down the street.
or in-floor radiant heating? Do you see people walking down a pedestrian street saying "Hello" to one another instead of walking on by? Do you see spontaneous interactions of support for childcare. park the car. You realize that you share resources amongst your 30 or so neighbours and you make a mental note to suggest a proposal to discuss a bicycle sharing or even a car sharing program at the next community meeting. It is now so easy to drive into your garage. or simply getting together for coffee? What would it feel like to live an average week in an EcoHousing neighborhood? One of the first differences you notice is a shared community center. e next day you might learn about the latest conflict resolution techniques as well as communication skills. e Tribes Casebook page 210 .changed from the nostalgic "Sesame Street" styled neighborhoods to car owned pathways. never knowing even the name of someone next door. What do you think of when you hear the words "ecological sustainable housing"? Do you see green building technologies such as wind power. We live like this for years. the snow blower or even the band saw. the kids enjoy the community center playroom while you go to the neighbourhood workshop and borrow the lawn mower. and go inside without ever interacting with a neighbor. is social isolation could be creating higher rates of depression according to Home and Community Care Digest How could we design our neighborhoods to reclaim this lost sense of community? What if homes and streets were partially designed by the people who live there? People open to a different neighborhood paradigm. as everyone makes the strata council's decisions by consensus. After sending the kids off to school in the neighborhood carpool. You suddenly stop and think of all the ways you've saved money. and later attend a book club discussion in the lounge. Perhaps after school. repairs. you go back to your self contained home and begin telecommuting to work and decide to visit the community center office for photocopies of a special event poster and reserve the "motel styled" guest room for your sister who is attending your celebration. On one day you might reserve the multi-purpose room for a future ballroom dance class. the power washer. helped the environment and made a difference in people's lives that you question: Are we a neighborly tribe just by where we live? Or is it our daily interactions and how we go about each day that creates that special cohesion? Words can hardly do this concept justice. solar hot water panels. a tour of your local EcoHousing neighborhood and its socially sustainable lifestyle may just surprise you.
e first meaning is passion. It is also a close-knit subculture. e Tribes Casebook page 211 . True acceptance into the tribe requires willingness to sacrifice one's body for the sake of the game. At all levels. they'll tell you it's not about the sport. A tournament is a grueling affair. Large parties often come hand in hand with tournaments. and it demands a high level of fitness. It requires both speed and finesse. as a whole. and it has done so primarily in Ivy League and elite liberal arts colleges. Only in the last 5-10 years have the big state schools with their massive recruiting bases produced the best teams in the game. those with a fierce and competitive spirit.Ultimate Frisbee Edward Beshers Ultimate Frisbee can be summed up in four words: Spirit of the Game. Frisbee people are. and to this day Carlton and Brown have two of the most select programs. If you're not familiar with the sport. this is not something a person chooses to do without great passion for the game. it's about the people. Simply put. However. go to YouTube and experience it for yourself. one of the nicest groups of people you will ever meet. consisting of eight 90-minute games played over the course of two days. the game is played in tournament format. business partners or spouses through the sport (which is still played coed by many teams. even at higher levels). it has exploded in popularity in America. Men and women of all ages eagerly devote their nights and weekends to Ultimate. Many Ultimate players meet their closest friends. In this respect. Since it's creation in the 1960's. Ultimate attracts warriors. and together they explain why Ultimate is a fast-growing sport and a loyal tribe. ere is an impressive amount of dedication to the tribe. if you ask any of them what keeps them coming back. Ultimate Frisbee attracts high-quality people. Before that it was a who's who of the country's top schools. e sport's motto has two meanings. Really.
No umpires. nodded a crisp good night and stiffly strode with our still-cramped plane legs off to bed. is sport was founded upon the idea that no amount of rules can ever replace the principle of sportsmanship. which was bright. our reserves melting. and bare. Ultimate Frisbee is a refreshing reminder of what is important in athletics: the Spirit of the Game. our connection to one another was about to become free of some of the more popular accessories in life: Pretense and Preconceived Notion. Learning to Move as One Jaculynn Peterson We lined up like ants against the wall at the back of the cavernous dance hall. It is a sport and a tribe for the 21st century. It was a fitting environment to incubate our newly formed travel tribe – each of us from a different part of the world. No officials. It is truly an accomplishment. we contemplated the unfamiliar and unknown.To understand this culture. After a bit of posturing and polite pleasantries. considering the high level of competition. for keeping a game fair and clean. at particular dance hall moment was in stark contrast to our brief encounter the day before when we met for the first time. So there we stood the next day. Like the barren room. ere are no referees in Ultimate. We shared the same feelings: "Will I be successful?" "How can I get through this without making a complete fool out of myself?" "Is it going to be possible for me to give up total control?" e Tribes Casebook page 212 . As our group huddled nervously together. baking in the sunny airless room. Nothing. one must appreciate the original meaning of Spirit of the Game. except for the players themselves. we impressed each other with our tall travel tales. feeling our sweat beading. hot. No one is responsible for making calls. In an age of steroids and instant replays.
Our small successes were applauded. By the time the last song played. we began our mission with furrowed brows and intense concentration. And from there we were able to move in creative new ways – as one. Soon our silent determination to achieve a common goal gave way to intermittent bursts of laughter. Like children learning to walk for the first time. the chamber began to echo with a beautiful laughter that erupted from deep within our bellies. and Chaos Lori Hoeck e 9-to-5 workplace is filled with its own critical moments. As the hours wore on. we were interrupted by our tribal leader when she spoke. we were moving with a fair amount of fluidity – some of us even had our eyes closed. Ultimately. It was a sound that can only come from those who've been humbled and have nothing to lose. but rarely life and death decisions that need to be made and certainly not made in split second moments amid horrific conditions. And as we finally gave in to the dance itself. all we really had to do was listen (to the music) and feel (what was in our hearts). When we finally left the room – eager to join the rhythm of the bustling streets – we didn't even think to retrieve the egos we had voluntarily checked at the door three hours earlier. the room continued to warm but this time with the passion associated with dance and the joy of newfound camaraderie. en she vanished out the door to the streets of Buenos Aires – leaving us alone to complete our tribal mission for the day: Learning the Tango. in her native language. at kind of workplace belongs to emergency response e Tribes Casebook page 213 . Our big blunders were met with encouragement.Soon. e rest came naturally. In the end. to a stranger. The Tribe That Deals With Life. Death. our perceived barriers to success evaporated when we decided to have faith in being led – and in each other.
and emotional abilities. but rather a challenge to do better so the bar is always kept incredibly high and standards never drop. difficult. or the longest stakeout. ese men and women are often asked to go to the extreme limits of mental. ose who end up in the thick of things and as first responders must cope with amazingly dangerous. 2) Extreme humor When faced with life and death situations as a job description. and devastation they may witness. you want someone who will have your back competently. Everyone wants bragging rights about the toughest 9-1-1 call. To compensate for the horror. the biggest fire. 1) Extreme challenge Since extreme abilities are required. e bragging isn't simply ego manifesting or a contest. trauma. A great example of this in the sectioned titled Cop Humor in this post "So What's it Like Being Married to a Cop?" at officer.workers and law enforcement officers." ey realize they can die on the job. between ambulance calls. all these groups have a certain sense of ongoing challenge among its members. cops. paramedics. e saying among firefighters is "We run toward whatever everyone else is running from. but they are willing to put their lives on the line in the cause of saving and protecting the public. or taking a break at the fire station are all times to bond members together e Tribes Casebook page 214 . being somber all the time is a killer emotionally. you don't want a simple braggart backing you up. and federal agents often find themselves in traumatic situations where lives hang in the balance. When your life is in the hands of a team member. Firefighters. and demanding situations.com. Several group dynamics occur across these occupations that making the work more bearable. members of this group use a type of black or gallows humor that would never pass any test of political correctness. 3) Extreme stories Waiting in the trenches. physical.
past members who were great or horrible examples. and the seed for a tribe was germinated. e group needed a name.as one -. Despite the alpha wolf mentalities. all the "BS'ing" is left behind.they rally to the cause for which they volunteered. the ability to put everything aside for the team during the crisis helps them save lives and return home to their families. With the seed planted. e Tribes Casebook page 215 . e unity transforms chaos into workable solutions. historic neighborhood. AL . the idea began to grow with many conversations about how to present chamber music in a unique way to a younger generation. and -. whether it is never-taught-in-the-book techniques. In the end. and the sometimes seemingly insensitive communications. or incredibly difficult stories about what others have gone through in the same line of business.typically known for football and truck driving .with the crazy. A Tribe Begins With A Dream Laura Hicks Sitting around the coffee table in her living room. the obvious desire to do the job better than the next person.through a series of musical performances seemed preposterous. A house party idea was suggested so as to hear chamber music in an intimate social setting. the best of the group serve the most professionally when the call goes out. e tribunal gathered to discuss the possibility of a series of house parties leading up to two musical performances incorporating the arts and culminating with a street party in a prominent. along with a handful of businessmen and women passionate about arts and music. local problems a new person might face. Nevertheless. a creative director for a local advertising agency was brought into the fellowship. an entrepreneur and a Symphony Fellow (who was residing with her for a time) saw the need to expose a younger demographic to classical music in a small city in central Alabama. To bring arts and culture to Montgomery. mind-boggling. or the times someone said thanks in a memorable way. how to think outside the box tough situations. ClefWorks was born. It seemed liked an oxymoron. Not long after. there was passion on the part of two. Each story reveals more of the culture in some way.
CD's. She thinks she e Tribes Casebook page 216 . e idea spread through viral marketing. T-shirts. e third season planning is underway with each season having a new theme to spark interest but staying true to the tribal roots with intimate house parties. ey begin with a dream and are realized through the spirit of community. the first year needed to be solely volunteer-based. artists and organizations willing to give of their time began with a dream and was made a reality by the volunteers. arts organizations. She has done many things in many places. She thinks she knows why she's here.org). New tribes emerge every day. A number of internationally-renowned artists have emerged to continue to perform for and promote Clefworks. e-mail. ey posted a video on YouTube to announce and promote the winner and spread the link electronically. e premiere season birthed a devoted group of entrepreneurs. e ClefWorks Composition Competition was established to encourage future tribal interest and was posted on the Web site to solicit applicants through relationships all over the world. e coordination of talented musicians.To ensure the viability of the organization. school groups. Success and growth are realized as members get to own it through participation. no family.clefworks. Artists from China to Portugal entered the competition and the Web was utilized as a channel for information. international performers. e success of ClefWorks continued with the second season as volunteers came together again to present two performances at a local theatre thus incorporating more partners into the group. donors and volunteers. Of course. ClefWorks is unique and successful because it is a non-intimidating cultural experience in a community hungry for approachable arts and musical entertainment. the help of the media and communication channels to reinforce the tribe. Temporary Tribes Carole Stewart She came from no roots. Sometimes she feels like she's waiting for the spaceship that left her here to return for her and take her back to her tribe. the group needed a web site (http://www.
She even thinks she's pretty good at doing it. a radical solution? So she sojourns.here's mine. He died in the year 1505. don't you? OK. Belongingness is a much longed-for unfamiliar. May I tell you a story? You like stories. My second son is to receive one-fourth of everything I own and my third son will get one-eighth of everything I own. passionate about belonging and catalyzing and contributing to her tribe. let me think this over. "Hmmm" they muttered. searching and showing up." e Tribes Casebook page 217 . Everything I own is out in the corral. It's just that she's never done it for very long with the same tribe.." She then led her horse into the corral with the others. " is will be a very messy job..knows what she's supposed to be doing. Before he died he gathered his three (3) sons at his bedside and he told them "When I die everything I own will be yours. Stopping at the corral.. After the three sons buried their father. "Now" she said " e eldest son shall take one-half of eight horses. a new math. My first son is to receive one-half of everything I own. So what if her tribe is temporary? A tribe for a time? A tribe that can maybe use fresh eyes. they went out to the corral to gaze upon seven horses." And then he died." But before they could finish sharpening their knives a lone horse and rider appeared from the west. the rider got off her horse and asked "Why all the knives and long faces?" e sons told their story and she said "OK. the second son one-fourth of eight horses and the youngest son one-eighth of eight horses...
housewives. Some of them have been in the tribe for weeks or months and others have been in the tribe for 30 plus years. ere are people from all backgrounds in this tribe: doctors. It's a unique tribe that affects the lives of people around the country. Tribes Exist Tribes Matter Follow your passion and you'll find your tribe. real estate investors. the second son took his two horses and the youngest son removed his one horse. My tribe has actually been popular enough that there are a few televisions shows about it. Even worse than that. or people who work in the tribe full time. you have to decide on which tribal meeting to attend. e Tribes Casebook page 218 . it is a fragmented tribe as a whole. While there are many real estate investors and many real estate investing clubs. there have been many occasions where I've received business cards from other investors. Some of the tribal meetings allow continued interaction among tribal members through http://meetup. ese tribe members. Depending upon the club you go to.So the oldest son took four horses. belong to various real estate investing clubs and associations. or tribal meetings. The Real Estate Exchange Dustin Miles ere are many members in my tribe. only to lose them. but it certainly has its limitations. She then got back on her horse and rode away in search of her next tribe. And you'll matter. lawyers. I've also run out of business cards.com. When networking with them. A lot of these club or tribal meetings also occur on the same day so from the perspective of the tribal member. you'll meet a very different set of people.
highly focused 10 week learning experiences that are designed to help them develop a strong foundations e Tribes Casebook page 219 . Kenya. but for the tribal meetings as well. The Mavuno Tribe In August 2005. Mavuno is a church that strives to not only impact the Christian community in Kenya. Mavuno Church was founded in Nairobi. Wheels of Hope that have united the country as a whole. this church is not only a tribe. ey market themselves on secular radio stations and frequently attract secular organizations to partner with the church.I'm attempting to gather these local tribal meeting members and make networking among real estate investors a more efficient process. You can never beat the connection that people feel between one another when they meet in person. newbies sign up for Mizizi Classes. this passionate tribe has grown from 300 congregants to over 1000. It has a language of its own. and a culture unique and apart from any church in Nairobi. but only time will tell. e various tribal meetings are businesses. where Worship Pastor Kanjii holds concerts. To any Mavunite in Nairobi. that aims to facilitate networking among this tribe of people. a website. http://thereexchange. tribal members and the smaller tribes within the DFW area will let down their guard and see the value in having a central tribe and the networking opportunities it represents not only for the tribal members. According to their website. is church frequently holds events in clubs like Carnivore. In three years. but also a tribe creator. As businesses. is has resulted in efforts such as Msafara. I hope that there can be tribal harmony. they seek to attain profit (not that there is anything wrong with that). but I plan on creating an environment. but the secular community as well. Perhaps within the walls of the website. Mavuno means harvest in KiSwahili. Will these tribal members and tribal meetings want to unite and network in harmony amongst members of smaller tribes? at's hard to tell at this point.com.
as a group. ey then form Bible Study groups where they get involved in various church ministries that go out into the community to help. Actors. incorporate them into the life of Mavuno and help them begin to live the abundant life God made them for! ese classes spit them out as a tight group of individuals (also known Mavunites) whose lives have been changed. it's why most of us get into the trade. the story. (Hell. A group not usually known for disinterest in personal glory. Another was building on precedent." One of the "trivial rules" laid down about this ebook. after encountering a Mavunite.for their faiths. Cheryl Crawford and Lee Strasberg—had a few things going for them. two years into one of the most harrowing collective stories their country had known. Timing.) e three founders of the Group eater—Harold Clurman. And a central truth of pretty much any project of scale. visit the church to learn more. The Group Theater Colleen Wainwright "Pride of ownership can wreck this. But how to reconcile the need of the Big Project—sacrificing individual glory for the greater good—with the very human needs of the people who fuel it? at was literally the premise behind the famed Group eater—that individual actors would put aside their need for individual glory to serve. being a Mavunite has become a badge of identity for many Nairobians. for one: they came up with the idea for their groundbreaking collaboration in 1931. e cycle begins again when members of the community. heal and encourage people. Both the idea of a true theater collective and the development of a particular style of acting e Tribes Casebook page 220 . After all.
because it was the effect of an entire group working as a team. raising an e Tribes Casebook page 221 . and later. Lee Strasberg. for a particular kind of actor. Not the frothy. e Group eater offered actors a chance to do nothing less than change the world. What is your story? Who can help you tell it? Hitch individual passion to higher purpose. the actors existing to serve it. at teaching a man to fish is better than buying him a flat of canned tuna. that was more than enough incentive to put aside notions of personal glory. that would make the theatrical experience real and meaningful for the audience. When you think about your big project. there could be no small parts: a character player with two lines was as critical to shaping the reality of the experience as the lead. Finally. Stanislavsky. but revolutionary at the turn of the last century.to serve it came straight from Constantin Stanislavsky's own work with the Moscow Art eater. a huge part of what fueled the passion of the Group eater collective was that the stories themselves would be something bigger. Susan Komen Race for the Cure Michael Gibbons is tribe is on the move. Pride of ownership? Would wreck everything. it's worth spending some time to come up with the story you're trying to tell: at our planet is fragile and it needs protection. not individual star turns. Rinse. e story was the star. Repeat. escapist entertainment of the time. but stories that both reflected the dismal state of the world and offered a prescription for changing it. taught actors how to draw from their own experience to illuminate the actions of the characters they inhabited— taken for granted now. Over twelve million Americans participate in a charity walk fundraising event each year. And in this new style of acting.
astounding $1. Survivor ceremony with survivors carrying one pink balloon for each year of survival. In this case study we will explore one organization's tribe. thousands of tribes and sub tribes passionately dedicated to the cause and fundraising. I will use his Primal Code as a way to explain my thesis on the Susan Komen tribe. Creation Story: Nancy Brinker founded the Susan Komen Foundation to honor a promise to her beloved sister Suzy (Susan Komen) to lead the fight to cure breast cancer and to care for the women fighting this disease. Creed: Susan G. Many charities have found active fundraising events to be an effective (if not perfect) way to promote their cause and raise money. March of Dimes and Walk to Cure diabetes who compete for walks and donors (metaphorically speaking of course) but this is an important distinction for a tribe to understand their antagonist. actually its a conglomerate of large organizations like e Juvenile diabetes Research Foundation. boas. Creation stories do not get more personal or poignant that this. the non-believers. ribbons. Icons: Pink everything. hats and balloons denoting years of survival Rituals: 3 Day / 60 mile walks with the requisite campground and pink two person tents. e Tribes Casebook page 222 . March of Dimes and smaller charities like autism Speaks and the National lung cancer partnership. Most of these charity walk tribes have different rituals and icons but they share the same defining attributes. the competition if you will. once and for all.6 billion in 2007 according to Run Walk Ride Fundraising Council. (and more that as a 46 year old guy I am sure I am not privy too!) Pagans / Non Believers: e other charities. e events have spawned hundreds. Organizations like Relay for Life. Patrick Hanlon wrote a great book Primal Branding which I think is a striking compliment to the idea of tribes. finish what we started and achieve our vision of a world without breast cancer. the Susan Komen For the Cure and 3 Day breast cancer walk tribe. Komen for the Cure is fighting every minute of every day to finally. Susan Komen. at's quite a tribe.
the charities provide an environment where people can take this inspiration and turn it into good! Captain Gabriel de Clieu Rick Wilson DMD Megan Elizabeth Morris For most cultures in most of human history. dysentery. cure. breast cancer..Sacred Words: Words that define and bond the tribe. then what? Depending on the culture. Some have called these diseases the biggest killers of all time. e process of fermentation did away with much risk. ey went through their lives in a constant state of mild inebriation. they drank beer or wine. e Tribes Casebook page 223 . $20 and $1000 donations? Why set up lemonade stands or hold people ransom with purple toilets in their front yards? Why do ordinary people sleep in a tent and walk 60 miles over three days? It's not so much the Why it's the Who. For Komen it's words like 3 Day pink.Why do so many people participate in a charity walk fundraiser? Why do they so intrepidly ask friends. Most people in most places. So if not water. e charity walk tribe is made up of ordinary people who have extraordinary stories to share -. no adult was ever completely sober. typhoid. did you? Water was always suspect.. You didn't think they drank water. since the dawn of agriculture. at's right. Without modern sanitation facilities there was always the risk of water-borne diseases: cholera. boobs and more that I would not be privy too! Leader: Clearly Nancy Blinker is the visionary leader for Susan Komen but there are many more people in the organization and regionally who take on leadership roles So. family and coworkers year after year for $5. did not drink plain water.
Coffee. Even after Pope Clement the VIII proclaimed that it would be "a shameful waste" to leave the enjoyment of coffee to the heathen. influential tribe called the Catholic Church. He persuaded a young lady of the Court to prevail upon M. to purloin one of the rare plants from the Jardin. coffee plant intact! He set it out with great care. each has a staunch following of devotees. and hot chocolate were available in some parts of the world (depending on how strictly the Islamic prohibition against alcohol was enforced). de Clieu sailed from Nantes with his single.a sort of protective greenhouse. but getting such a plant was an incredible challenge. But that wasn't all -. precious coffee plant installed in a glass-framed box on the deck of the ship -. under guard. Gabriel d'Erchigny de Clieu was a French naval officer and resident of Martinique. And in 1723. Nowadays. in the Caribbean. tea. de Chirac. one tribe -. was the rapid depletion of drinking water aboard ship. Upon e Tribes Casebook page 224 . De Clieu wrote: "Water was lacking to such an extent that for more than a month I was obliged to share the scanty ration of it assigned to me with my coffee plant.were completely unknown in Europe and the Americas. But until the 1600s. on one occasion de Clieu surprised him in the act of opening the greenhouse and snapping off a twig. Simply put. De Clieu's plan was to cultivate coffee plants in the West Indies. A Dutch-speaking passenger (perhaps a spy!) seemed intent on disrupting de Clieu's plans. officially sanctioning it to the vast. is is the story of the man who changed all that. Prices were very high. e greatest threat. the Royal Physician. and heavy storms nearly smashed the greenhouse. coffee. De Clieu had a secret ambition: to steal a coffee plant from the Jardin des Plantes. upon which my happiest hopes were founded and which was the source of my delight.the only plant sources of caffeine edible by human beings -. during a prolonged calm. e plants were guarded with great zeal.the Dutch -exclusively controlled its production. where Louis XIV had them jealously protected.the ship barely escaped an attack by Tunisian pirates. there were no competitors. tea and chocolate -. De Clieu's solution was a lateral attack. and supplies were limited." Despite all. de Clieu did make it home to Martinique. His crossing was difficult.
With nothing but their bodies and a board (sometimes not even that). and propagated with ease in the friendly climate. anks to the vision and perseverance of one man willing to challenge the status quo. but the tribe certainly has grown. Along with railroads and the telegraph. By 1746. the partial replacement of alcohol with caffeine as the most commonly used drug in the world encouraged modern work methods and industrial progress. descended from De Clieu's single enterprising plant. particularly Brazil. e ocean is their gathering place. an honor bestowed for his cultivation of coffee. these men and women honed their strength.reaching maturity it bore coffee beans. surfing was high up on the priority list of the ancient Hawaiians who pioneered this beautiful. Eventually coffee plantations sprang up all over South America. de Clieu was presented before Louis XV. e Tribes Casebook page 225 . magical sport. A good surf is still better than a day at work. e shift from wine and beer (which dull the senses) to coffee and tea (containing stimulants) was world-changing. fishing. who (unlike his father) was a serious coffee drinker! De Clieu was appointed Governor of Martinique. hunting and battling for survival. and a great surf really sucks if you're not doing it. Surfing hasn't changed much since then. Despite life essentials like farming. wits and patience in exchange for a few short seconds of unrivaled bliss. Get to Know Your Surfer Tribe Charles Bohannan Not so long ago. the coffee tribe's barrier to entry was altered dramatically: from wealth and influence to simple taste. and catching waves is their ritual. with lower coffee prices and greater cultural acceptance. Hundreds of thousands people around the world have caught on to the simple act of catching waves and getting stoked. they made time to step off the land and seek harmony with the mighty ocean. until recent mixing. Many botanists feel that the entire population of coffee plantations in the New World.
So say you're surfing in Hawaii. Violate this rule on a regular basis and you're out of the tribe. e second rule: the surfer nearest the breaking part of a wave in either direction (left or right) has priority to go. so a six-foot Californian wave is known as "three feet Hawaiian. ey are legends like Duke Kahanamoku. wake up at 4 am. e first rule: never turn your back on the ocean. wave size is measured from the back of the wave. Surfers will go to great lengths to surf. It's not uncommon to hear about surfers who "aren't really morning people" program their coffee makers. strap a board on their car and drive 25 miles down the coast to check out a swell. where you're from. Professional surfers can also be icons in their own right. Follow it and you're in – it's that simple. Eddie Aikau and Rell Sunn. both of which call for great respect of the ocean and fellow surfers. It Takes a Drip Bonnie Larner e Tribes Casebook page 226 . And so what if the water is freezing or it's really crowded or the wind is howling onshore? None of that matters if you can paddle out there. embody the values of aloha and stewardship of the land and sea. it might be the last thing you ever do. what you're riding or how good you surf – the surfer tribe is open to anyone willing to jump in the ocean and paddle after their bliss. For example." it's best you bail out because you've just "dropped in" on them.Surfer tribe leaders are people who. in Hawaii. And it doesn't matter who you are. and you hear someone exclaim "hwui!. e conversion is about double." Imagine 20-foot Hawaiian! Surfers live by two universal rules. catch some waves and seize the day! Regional surfing tribes have their own lingo. and everywhere else it's measured from the front. over their lifetime. ese are the talented "shredders" like Kelly Slater and Andy Irons who get paid to rule the waves and inspire young surfers – known as "groms" – to master their boardriding abilities.
inside is a flurry of man-made snow falling on a scale model of our client's mall. you might feel like you're wasting your time. hundred-dollar handbags made of recycled tires. Boing! Up sprang an idea. e Tribes Casebook page 227 . tango lessons for flight-delayed passengers. SEO.year one. Drip."A year from now you'll wish you had started today. ere were drips for my airport client! About flight-schedule widgets. e world of advertising was about to implode. Not much happened. specific to their industry and area of expertise. I noticed a shift.the year of the truck . Once a month I sent every client . the more I dreamed. Drips for my retail clients! About pop-up stores. Drips all around! About blogging.year two. You may even be tempted to give up. Just a drip. e truck starts moving slowly. ads on baggage carousels. No selling." Here's a sample of what to expect from a tribe of new thinkers. If you're impatient like I am. "Keep 'em coming please. drip. Picture a semi-trailer truck with glass sides.our client saw their biggest gain in holiday sales since the year they first opened.a personal email along with a link. e more I dripped. but no one except me seemed to notice." Could this be a closet tribe of new thinkers in search of a leader? I wanted to believe the answer was "yes. Drip report . Start with a drip and wait for takers. What's it doing now? Driving back and forth in the competitor's parking lot. e link offered a threat-free way to learn about new thinking. But stick it out and keep on drippin'.and every department head in the agency . Drip report . the million-pixel website. No pushing. at year . drip. I made a commitment to three years of drippage. "Seen this one yet?" One client wrote. CEO tweets." at's what the sign on my office door read. drip. Right then. It really works. Some of my co-workers started sending me links with the message. drip. "Where do you find this crazy stuff?" Another replied. I was revved and ready.
Your tribe is out there somewhere and they need you to lead them. e Tribes Casebook page 228 .
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