The Power Of Your Tribe

On the weekend I had the privilege of travelling interstate with a group of 20 people to support the Melbourne United basketball team, of which I am a member.

Following the team is something that one of my sons and I do together, and it has become a great bonding activity as we enjoy each other’s company doing something that we are both passionate about.

But the rest of the group were reasonably new to me, albeit I had said hello to some of them at previous matches.

Dressed in our matching T-shirts we boarded the bus to head into enemy territory for the showdown. It was amazing. All of a sudden, we were not a group of individuals who didn’t know each other, but a tribe of people with a common goal that totally embraced our different backgrounds and our life experiences – we were united.

Although we lost the game, it just reminded me of how important it is when we bring people together in social settings or in our workplaces, to firstly accept their differences, but to also realise that when we have a single focus and everyone completely understands why we are there and what we want to achieve, then even 20 people in a crowd of 5000 stand out and people take notice.

A great exercise to do in your workplace is, every year, meet with your team and re-establish your purpose, not just as individuals, but as a group of very different people who have come together to achieve a desired result. Sometimes we assume that everyone knows - when they don’t.

The power of a tribe that is heading in the same direction can overcome any obstacle, and even in defeat they feel like they have done their best and learned things that will make them even better.

The interesting thing is that now more people want to join this united tribe and plans are already underway for future matches.

That’s how tribes work!

Des Penny - Executive Director
Proteus Leadership