Tribalism at its best can propel your purpose.
Have you ever instantly clicked with someone with similar interests, passions, or beliefs? The bonds you form with like-minded people can nourish and support your goals to create positive change. However, like most things, these bonds, taken to the extreme, may work against your efforts.
Picture a scenario where you, fueled by an unwavering commitment to a cause, inadvertently find yourself entangled in tribalistic tendencies. A strong sense of group identity and loyalty characterizes this phenomenon.
The impact of tribalism on your mission can be a double-edged sword, capable of either propelling you forward or undermining your progress.
Connecting with like-minded folks can ignite your motivation, making you more engaged and driven. Or a more toxic form of tribalism has the potential to hinder collaboration, limit diverse perspectives, and impede the holistic development of solutions.
The crucial factor lies in your assumptions and how you view your tribe and others.
The Upside
We, humans, are naturally tribal. Most everyone forms solid social connections and identifies with specific groups. This tendency to bond with similar others enriches our experiences and helps us achieve our goals.
The bonds formed within a tribe amplify individual efforts, provide support, and nurture personal growth.
Psychologist Guy Winch wrote about the positive aspects of tribalism in a Psychology Today article. He suggests that being part of a tribe combats loneliness and promotes mental well-being. He urges all to seek out their tribes.
Tribalism Creates a Sense of Belonging
At its best, tribalism carries positive vibes. Feeling part of a tribe, you experience a deep sense of belonging and community. It's like finding your gang where you feel understood, valued, and nurtured.
This collective unity and support system can help you persevere through challenges, provide security, and boost your confidence in pursuing purpose-driven endeavors.
Tribalism Enables Collective Action
Tribalism can mobilize collective action. When purpose-driven leaders unite their tribe around a shared mission, they can generate a powerful force for change.
Tribalism can cultivate a supportive network where individuals feel empowered. It can create an environment where members collaborate, share knowledge, and collectively work towards a common goal.
At Its Best, Tribalism Creates a Community
In essence, the positive aspect of tribalism lies in the ability to foster a tight-knit community that empowers and motivates individuals, amplifies their collective efforts, and provides a sense of belonging and support in their pursuit of purpose.
It is crucial, however, to harness the benefits of tribalism inclusively and collaboratively.
The thoughtful, purpose-driven leader will seek to balance these positive aspects of tribalism with a mindful approach that avoids exclusion, biases, and limited perspectives.
The Downside
At times the basis for tribalism can lead to destructive beliefs and behaviors.
Beware of the Basis of Tribalism
In an article in Psychology Today, Professor of Social Work Elizabeth Segal refers to “bad tribalism.” She describes how people sometimes bond through shared anger, jealousy, or spite. This tribalism impedes problem-solving, is stressful, and harms long-term well-being.
The Self-righteousness of the Tribe
Another aspect of bad tribalism is self-righteousness.
Sometimes individuals form tight-knit tribes that exude an air of moral superiority, holding steadfast to their collective beliefs. However, this conceit goes beyond being unappealing—it can give rise to harmful biases and behaviors with far-reaching consequences.
When leaders become overly fixated on the superiority of their tribe, they risk disregarding diverse perspectives and unfairly judging those who don't belong to their group.
This behavior can be detrimental to purpose-driven leaders striving for positive change. Not only does it hinder effective decision-making, but it also creates resistance among the stakeholders they need to engage and bring on board.
The combination of self-righteousness and tribalism is a powerful and challenging dynamic.
Us vs. Them Mentality
One big issue in tribalism is exclusion—self-righteous tribalism often brings out this "us versus them" mentality. Purpose-driven leaders might become so focused on their tribe that they ignore or reject other groups.
This in-group bias can be a real problem. It gets in the way of collaboration, stifles fresh ideas, and keeps all in their bubbles.
When purpose-driven leaders only listen to their tribe, they miss out on diverse perspectives that could lead to better solutions.
Embrace the Positive and Reject the Negatives
The trick for purpose-driven leaders is to enjoy the benefits of a like-minded community while avoiding the biases that can obstruct their vision and their ability to achieve positive change.
To navigate tribalism successfully, you must strike a balance. Here are some key strategies:
Beware of the Echo Chambers
Tribalism can create echo chambers where leaders solely engage with like-minded individuals, stifling innovation and growth.
Purpose-driven leaders must actively seek dissenting voices, engage in cross-sector collaborations, and welcome constructive criticism to combat this risk. Embracing diverse perspectives fosters creativity, stimulates innovative thinking, and helps drive more effective solutions to complex societal challenges.
Do Not Lose Sight of Ethical Considerations
Tribalism can sometimes cloud ethical judgment, as purpose-driven leaders prioritize their tribe's interests over broader moral principles.
Leaders must remain vigilant in upholding ethical standards, ensuring their actions align with universal values and principles. Ethical conduct and decision-making should transcend tribal boundaries to maintain integrity and credibility.
Guard Against Confirmation Bias
Tribalism can reinforce confirmation bias, as purpose-driven leaders may seek information that aligns with their tribe's beliefs, dismissing dissenting viewpoints.
If you fall prey to confirmation bias, you limit your ability to consider alternative perspectives, adapt strategies, and make informed decisions.
You should cultivate a culture of intellectual humility, encourage open dialogue, and actively seek out differing opinions to avoid the trap of confirmation bias.
As a purpose-driven leader, your mission is to maximize your impact on the world. To achieve this, you must confront and address the dangers of toxic tribalism head-on.
By promoting inclusivity, seeking diverse perspectives, fostering open dialogue, and embracing collaboration beyond your tribe, you can navigate the perils of tribalism and create a more effective movement.
By transcending tribal boundaries, you have the power to inspire organizational and societal change that leaves a lasting, positive impact on the world.
