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on November 29, 2015
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to make a difference. Anyone who is sick and tired of standing by watching things happen to them and is ready for a change. I read a number of reviews that were very negative about this book just before I started reading it and read it anyway. Very happy I did! No, you won't get step by step instructions here so don't look for them. The point is you already have what you need to lead. Just get out there believe in your mission and start gathering your tribe to move it forward.
on May 3, 2017
I found this to be a very inspirational book on the topic of daring to be a leader. It makes you see leaders can come in a variety of forms, they are not just made up of outgoing, exceptionally outspoken people standing in front of a crowd talking loud, being the center of attention. They can be a person in the background, creating a way for like-minded people to connect and move a cause forward. It makes you see that a person with a vision, an idea, a cause, can make real change, and why it's important to get going on what matters to you and stop waiting for the perfect time, as the time is now.
I like that most of the topics are short and to the point. He doesn't ramble on. He gives you an idea and you take it from there. He doesn't give you a step by step manual on how to lead, he gives a concept of how tribes work and you as a leader work it out from there.
Super fun book. Joined his email list as greatly enjoy his daily emails on variety of thoughts.
I like that most of the topics are short and to the point. He doesn't ramble on. He gives you an idea and you take it from there. He doesn't give you a step by step manual on how to lead, he gives a concept of how tribes work and you as a leader work it out from there.
Super fun book. Joined his email list as greatly enjoy his daily emails on variety of thoughts.
on July 2, 2016
This book is not a step by step manual on how to become a leader. Leadership is intangible, and in truth it varies from person to person and scenario to scenario. Godin doesn't attempt to create a formula for the reader to follow; instead he LEADS us toward leadership. How? Through examining what has made other leaders effective and by inciting us to do the same.
Leadership is not as simple as having followers; it is a complex and multi-faceted thing. It is also organic; that is, a leader determines in a situation or with a certain people to lead in a way that is best for that time, that place, and those people. Great leaders understand that they need to personalize their leadership because a true leader is, after all, about those he is leading. Godin embodies this mindset and explains it well.
Tribes are indeed something mankind has sought out since the earth became populated enough to have them. Today we are more advanced technologically, but at our core we still long for connection. Tribes give us that. And it is up to us whether we want to blindly belong to one, or powerfully engage in one and participate in leading it.
Leadership is not as simple as having followers; it is a complex and multi-faceted thing. It is also organic; that is, a leader determines in a situation or with a certain people to lead in a way that is best for that time, that place, and those people. Great leaders understand that they need to personalize their leadership because a true leader is, after all, about those he is leading. Godin embodies this mindset and explains it well.
Tribes are indeed something mankind has sought out since the earth became populated enough to have them. Today we are more advanced technologically, but at our core we still long for connection. Tribes give us that. And it is up to us whether we want to blindly belong to one, or powerfully engage in one and participate in leading it.
on May 23, 2017
I'm a Seth Godin fan. I read his blog every day. This book was basically an extension of his blog posts for me and I really enjoyed it.
Yes it's choppy and seems to move all over the place. But, after reading through the whole thing (maybe even twice) you'll be able to see the cohesion of each chapter and how they all work together to paint a very specific picture. I would recommend this book to people who are interested in becoming a leader. To me, it's worth the journey.
Yes it's choppy and seems to move all over the place. But, after reading through the whole thing (maybe even twice) you'll be able to see the cohesion of each chapter and how they all work together to paint a very specific picture. I would recommend this book to people who are interested in becoming a leader. To me, it's worth the journey.
on April 28, 2013
Seth posits that technology has given the common person certain advantages that were historically available only to the elite. Today, an average person can--with ease--communicate an idea near instantly to the masses. These new, unconventional leaders can now build a "tribe" around a cause or idea. People, Seth argues, are by their very nature attracted to tribes and rally around a cause in which they believe.
But like any of Seth's books, this work is not without its criticisms....
First, the book often seems like a disjointed combination of (sometimes ranting) blogs. Second, many will be offended by these rants. For example, he uses an extended metaphor "organized religion" (bad) as opposed to "faith" (good), and identifies the modern leader as the "heretic" (also good). These stereotypical and shallow viewpoints are backed up with no true research or even deep thinking.
In the end, however, Seth is on to something. And as usual with Seth, he is on to something big. Technology allows for leaders to rise as quickly and as high as their own ideas can take them. Conventional bodies of social capital such as families, civic memberships, unions, etc. are dissolving. Tribes such as Tea Parties and Occupy Wall Street spring from nowhere to replace the old guard. These new tribes can dramatically change traditional organizations, or even in some cases, end them.
In this new era, it is more important than ever for leaders to lead. And Seth stands at the gate, pointing the way. For anyone in business, or anyone with a passing interest in modern American society, this is a book not to be missed.
But like any of Seth's books, this work is not without its criticisms....
First, the book often seems like a disjointed combination of (sometimes ranting) blogs. Second, many will be offended by these rants. For example, he uses an extended metaphor "organized religion" (bad) as opposed to "faith" (good), and identifies the modern leader as the "heretic" (also good). These stereotypical and shallow viewpoints are backed up with no true research or even deep thinking.
In the end, however, Seth is on to something. And as usual with Seth, he is on to something big. Technology allows for leaders to rise as quickly and as high as their own ideas can take them. Conventional bodies of social capital such as families, civic memberships, unions, etc. are dissolving. Tribes such as Tea Parties and Occupy Wall Street spring from nowhere to replace the old guard. These new tribes can dramatically change traditional organizations, or even in some cases, end them.
In this new era, it is more important than ever for leaders to lead. And Seth stands at the gate, pointing the way. For anyone in business, or anyone with a passing interest in modern American society, this is a book not to be missed.
on May 15, 2017
I'm currently building a course for our clients to help them take things to the next level. This book helped me identify areas of inspiration, leadership, and community. One of my biggest takeaways from the book is around the idea of criticism. Seth writes that you cannot have success without critics yelling at you from the cheap seats. You'll know you're onto something when people criticize. In fact your community (tribe) will demand that you take a stand, be bold, and let criticism roll right off your back.
on March 27, 2017
Many great thoughts. Some ideology that isn't consistent with Judeo-Christian beliefs but many and I would say, most ideas would translate to belief-based organizations. I have to go back through and highlight quite a few portions of this book. If you are a thinking-about-it church planter then please read this book!
TOP 1000 REVIEWERon March 21, 2010
"Leaders have followers," Seth Godin writes. "Managers have employees. Managers make widgets. Leaders make change."
Tribes, one of Godin's recent efforts to enlighten humanity with the wisdom of Silicon Valley, builds on this underwhelming insight to paint a picture of leadership that seems limited to questioning conventional wisdom and making a pest of yourself. There's insight to be found in Tribes, as there is (more frequently) in Godin's other books. But the true value of this little essay on making change in the world lies in the innumerable examples and anecdotes liberally scattered throughout.
Oh, yes: that title. "Tribes," in Godin's phrasebook, are the apparently random collections of people who follow those he regards as leaders. No leader, no tribe. No tribe, no leader. Get it?
Now, don't misunderstand me. Seth Godin is a very smart man with a brilliant marketing mind. Here's how he defines marketing in this little volume: "Marketing is the act of telling stories about the things we make -- stories that sell and stories that spread." It's hard to find a better contemporary definition of that widely misunderstood concept. And it ties neatly into Godin's theme in this book because, he adds, "Today, marketing is about engaging with the tribe and delivering products and services with stories that spread."
There is genuine insight in that statement, but Godin doesn't develop it sufficiently. In a longer and more carefully written book, he might have explored how networks and networking are pushing aside traditional communications media . . . how celebrity affects the sales of books, music, and clothing . . . how ever-smaller and more specialized subcultures are multiplying like amoebae. Maybe somebody else will take this up someday. Or -- who knows? -- maybe somebody already has.
Godin is quick to lavish scorn on those he dislikes or disrespects, and apparently the 12 or 13 million people who work in or for the U.S. nonprofit sector are high on his list. (Presumably, that would include me.) For example, he writes, "Take a look at the top fifty charities on the Chronicle of Philanthropy's top four hundred charity list. During the last forty years, only a handful of charities on this list have changed. Why? Because donors didn't want to take risks." Godin's writing is littered with silly generalizations like this.
So, with all these flaws, is Tribes worth the time and trouble to read? Yes. Here, for example, is how Godin illustrates his highly unconventional definition of faith: "People don't believe what you tell them. They rarely believe what you show them. They often believe what their friends tell them. They always believe what they tell themselves. What leaders do: they give people stories they can tell themselves. Stories about the future and about change." You're not likely to find a simpler or more direct definition of leadership than that.
(From Mal Warwick's Blog on Books)
Tribes, one of Godin's recent efforts to enlighten humanity with the wisdom of Silicon Valley, builds on this underwhelming insight to paint a picture of leadership that seems limited to questioning conventional wisdom and making a pest of yourself. There's insight to be found in Tribes, as there is (more frequently) in Godin's other books. But the true value of this little essay on making change in the world lies in the innumerable examples and anecdotes liberally scattered throughout.
Oh, yes: that title. "Tribes," in Godin's phrasebook, are the apparently random collections of people who follow those he regards as leaders. No leader, no tribe. No tribe, no leader. Get it?
Now, don't misunderstand me. Seth Godin is a very smart man with a brilliant marketing mind. Here's how he defines marketing in this little volume: "Marketing is the act of telling stories about the things we make -- stories that sell and stories that spread." It's hard to find a better contemporary definition of that widely misunderstood concept. And it ties neatly into Godin's theme in this book because, he adds, "Today, marketing is about engaging with the tribe and delivering products and services with stories that spread."
There is genuine insight in that statement, but Godin doesn't develop it sufficiently. In a longer and more carefully written book, he might have explored how networks and networking are pushing aside traditional communications media . . . how celebrity affects the sales of books, music, and clothing . . . how ever-smaller and more specialized subcultures are multiplying like amoebae. Maybe somebody else will take this up someday. Or -- who knows? -- maybe somebody already has.
Godin is quick to lavish scorn on those he dislikes or disrespects, and apparently the 12 or 13 million people who work in or for the U.S. nonprofit sector are high on his list. (Presumably, that would include me.) For example, he writes, "Take a look at the top fifty charities on the Chronicle of Philanthropy's top four hundred charity list. During the last forty years, only a handful of charities on this list have changed. Why? Because donors didn't want to take risks." Godin's writing is littered with silly generalizations like this.
So, with all these flaws, is Tribes worth the time and trouble to read? Yes. Here, for example, is how Godin illustrates his highly unconventional definition of faith: "People don't believe what you tell them. They rarely believe what you show them. They often believe what their friends tell them. They always believe what they tell themselves. What leaders do: they give people stories they can tell themselves. Stories about the future and about change." You're not likely to find a simpler or more direct definition of leadership than that.
(From Mal Warwick's Blog on Books)
on June 28, 2016
I wish I had known about this book years ago, but thrilled I found it when I did! We have a job to do and that's to lead great people to their life purpose so they can fulfill their destiny.
