In this pocket-sized, quick read, Seth Godin talks about doing something special -something different. His idea is that you can change how things are done by picking a niche and forming a group that supports your goal. He is urgent in telling you that you must take the lead, because if you don’t, no one else will. Money and power are no longer necessary. Everyone is allowed to lead if they want to. And he trusts YOU to find the things that need changed and pull the trigger on your plan.
Creating Is Always Better Than Reacting
The underlying philosophy in this book is to create a tribe to start a movement of change, with you as the chief. Not a chief who changes people and convinces them to join his tribe. Not a manager of people, either. But a leader who can communicate, attract those of similar mindsets, and take action.
Godin Inspires Us with Gentle Direction
He warns us of the seductive and easy familiarity of the status quo. He tells us our fear of taking a chance comes from an established corporate environment. He gives a few anecdotes of those who have gone against the machine to change things up. Godin gives us the push and some general directions: Communicate your idea, listen, and adapt. Godin's tipping point for your movement is 1000 followers. He encourages us to persevere towards this mark.
We Need Change in the World, and Godin Trusts Us to Find What Needs Improved
Godin observes that the world is in desperate need of change. He focuses not on changing people, since “Most People Don’t Matter so Much”:
“Most people would like the world to stay just as it is.
Most people are afraid.
Most people aren’t curious.
You’re not going to be able to grow your career or your business or feed the tribe by going after most people.”
Rather, he wants us to use our tribes to change the situation of the people. Godin focuses on empowering us to build a niche. Tribes is not an Idiot’s Guide to Tribe Building. Instead, Godin’s book is a motivator to do something. He is such a powerful motivator, in fact, that he makes you feel guilty for sitting around and reading…or writing a book review.
So, it’s time to form your tribe. What are you going to do?
Source:
- Godin, Seth (2008). Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us. Portfolio Hardcover.
- ISBN-10: 1591842336
Ara Bedrossian - He has a Masters in Public Health from the UT College of Medicine and has been contracted by the state of Ohio to improve public health ...
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