The tribes we lead - Seth Godin

Summary

In this talk, the speaker explores the concept of leading change by creating and spreading ideas through tribes, rather than relying on traditional methods like factories or mass media. He discusses the evolution from the factory cycle to the TV era, and finally to the current tribe-based model, exemplified by individuals like Nathan Winograd who transformed animal shelters. The speaker emphasizes the importance of challenging the status quo, building a culture, and connecting people to create movements that drive meaningful change.

Takeaways

• 🎭 The speaker humorously starts by mentioning unusual invitations to speak at events, setting a light-hearted tone.
• 🤔 The talk delves into the introspective question of what the audience's profession is, highlighting the desire for change and improvement in various fields.
• 🐾 The story of Nathan Winograd from the San Francisco SPCA is used as a case study to illustrate the power of an individual to create significant societal change.
• 🏙 The concept of 'no-kill' cities for animals is introduced, showcasing how a determined individual can transform community norms.
• 🌟 The speaker emphasizes the importance of creating, spreading, and implementing ideas as a key aspect of leadership in various domains.
• 🏭 The 'factory cycle' is described as an outdated model of change, highlighting the shift from industrial to more modern methods of influencing society.
• 📺 The 'TV cycle' is critiqued for its reliance on mass marketing and the diminishing effectiveness of this approach in the current media landscape.
• 🔗 The 'tribes' concept is introduced as a modern model of leadership, where connection and community are more powerful than traditional methods of influence.
• 🌐 The internet is recognized for enabling the formation of tribes and the spread of ideas, challenging the notion that it would lead to homogenization.
• 🚀 The talk concludes with a call to action, urging the audience to embrace their potential to lead and create movements for change.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the talk?

The main theme of the talk is the power of individuals and communities to create change by challenging the status quo and leading movements.

Why did the speaker mention people who dress up in big stuffed animal costumes and those who make balloon animals?

The speaker mentioned these groups to illustrate that they know their roles and what they do for a living, which contrasts with the broader question of what the audience does and how they contribute to change.

What is the significance of Nathan Winograd's story in the talk?

Nathan Winograd's story is significant because it demonstrates how a determined individual can challenge the status quo and create a movement, in his case, to make San Francisco a no-kill city for animals.

What does the speaker mean by 'tribes' in the context of the talk?

In the context of the talk, 'tribes' refers to groups of people who share a common interest or passion and are connected by that, which can lead to significant social change when mobilized.

How does the speaker describe the shift from the 'factory cycle' to the 'TV idea' and then to 'tribes'?

The speaker describes the shift as a progression from relying on factories for mass production and change, to using mass media and advertising to push ideas, and finally to leading and connecting people through tribes to create movements.

What is the role of the internet in the formation of tribes according to the speaker?

The speaker suggests that the internet has allowed for the creation of silos of interest, enabling people with niche interests to find and connect with each other, thus forming tribes.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of challenging the status quo?

The speaker emphasizes challenging the status quo because it is a necessary first step in creating change and leading movements that can transform society.

What is the significance of the light bulb being smashed at a Jewish wedding mentioned in the talk?

The smashed light bulb at a Jewish wedding symbolizes a change from before to after, which the speaker uses as a metaphor for the key moments of change in the way ideas are created and spread.

How does the speaker define leadership in the context of creating change?

In the context of creating change, the speaker defines leadership as the ability to connect people and ideas, challenge the status quo, and inspire a tribe to move towards a common goal.

What advice does the speaker give to the audience regarding creating a movement?

The speaker advises the audience to identify something worth changing, assemble a tribe around that idea, and lead them to create a movement that can effect significant change.