Second time reading the “Tribes” after almost a year. It’s still a quick inspirational read just like the first time. This book is more about the “why” less about the “how” & “what.” Despite all the rants & criticism, I’d still recommend it to all the social media enthusiasts especially those who intend to lead new movements in their organizations. The eight takeaways below are simple concepts that I found worth spreading…
Management≠ Leadership
Management is about manipulating resources to get a known job done. Managers know exactly what they need to deliver and they are given resources to do it at low cost. Managers manage a process they’ve seen before, and they react to the outside world, striving to make that process as fast as cheap as possible. Great leaders create movements by empowering the tribe to communicate. They establish the foundation for people to make connections, as opposed to commanding people to follow them.
Leaders are dark horses
Leadership almost always involves thinking and acting like the underdog. That’s because leaders work to change things, and the people who are winning rarely do.
The art of leadership is everything
Leadership only happens in a spectator’s mind. Everything else is a distraction… You cannot cross over into the world of leadership until you put everything else aside and behind you – including your own desires and needs – and focus on bringing an experience to the tribe.
It’s always easier to ask for forgiveness than permission
Nobody is going to listen to your idea for change, sagely shake his head, and say, “sure, go do that.” Nobody is going to see your powerpoint presentation and hand you a check. Change isn’t made by asking permission. Change is made by asking forgiveness, later.
Innovation devalues over time
“Not yet” is the safest, easier way to forestall change. Change almost never fails because it’s too early. It almost always fails because it’s too late.
We have a choice of being helpful
If we see my new product but don’t buy it, that’s my failure, not yours.
If you attend my presentation and you’re bored, that’s my fault, too.
If I fail to persuade you to implement a policy that supports my tribe, that’s due to my lack of passion or skill, not your shortsightedness.
What’s helpful is to realize that we have a choice when we communicate. We can write so our audience hears us. We can present in a way that the people absorb the material. Most of all, we get to choose who will understand (and who won’t).
Tribes are more effective
A crowd is a tribe without a leader. Most organizations spend their time marketing to the crowd. Smart organizations assemble the tribe.
Success is a matter of accretion
If your organization requires success before commitment, it will never have either.
P.S. I plan to give this book to my friend Kevin, who is a student of public administration and also a deviant, a future leader. Leading changes is a long journey, it’s always good to have some brave souls to keep you company 
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