I Read This Book, See…

Honestly, I can’t totally remember how the book “Tribes” came to my attention. What I do remember is running to Barnes and Noble to find the book.  Once I knew what it was all about…well, I had to get my hands on it.  I tore through it in a few days. I paused.  I pondered.  The enormity of what I had just read sank in.  I read it again. Paused some more.  Pondered some more.  And I felt the Universe shift around me.  Another piece to a vast, timeless puzzle fell into place.  And it felt good!

I talked about the book with whoever would listen.  I recognized heretics in the wild, and I turned them on to the book.  I work with a heretic and tribal leader, so I slipped him my copy of the book.  I told him he should read it. He hemmed.  He hawed.  He procrastinated.  I kept bugging him.  He finally gave in…and has been transformed!  Like me, he sees the value in tribal leadership and the POWER inherent in building tribes to move the world. Tthe book struck the right nerve with me not because it was a totally new way of thinking but because it spoke to the way I already thought.  The single greatest thing I took from “Tribes” was the idea that I was not alone.  I was not alone because somebody wrote a book that was partially about the way I lead people.  I was not alone because the book contained stories about people that were not that dramatically different from me.  I was not alone because it helped me see others just like me in the world around me.  It both inspired and validated. Both reading and sharing the book has been a profound experience for me.  I recognize that I am one of many, and the many are out there, changing the world.

One day, the author of Tribes, Seth Godin, posted an offer on his blog. It was an offer to join a closed social network of fellow “Tribes” fans.  A rather uncomplicated application process was required, but that was it.  It is the type of offer I read a dozen times a week and ignore.  Why not? In my line of work, with my experience, I would never qualify.  But…but I WANTED to be a part of this one.  At the time, I was just beginning to get serious about finding my place in the grand scheme of on-line social networking.  I was motivated. More than anything, though, I loved that book.  I loved Seth’s blog.  I wanted to be a part of this social networking he was talking about because I could FEEL in my bones that this was something extraordinary.  Boy, was I right.

When I received the official invitation to join the network, called “Triiibes” (the three “i’s” are for “Inspire,” “Illuminate,” and “Innovate” which, incidentally, are eerily similar to my own personal motto “Inspiration.  Influence. Innovation.”), I was thrilled. I sort of geeked out a bit.  Not that there’s anything wrong with that.  I was eager to join this little group of people and share my take on the world with them.  Boy, was I shocked. What I found was a vast network of THOUSANDS of people (today there are over 6000), most of whom had already been a part of this network for some time. Many already had relationships. Most of them were familiar with the rules of the road, so to speak.  Most of them already had established blogs…a lot of them have more than one!  These were people who were already consulting, already coaching, running their own business, running other people’s businesses…on and on and on!  It was a pool of talent and knowledge and heart and soul that came pouring out of my computer screen and ran all over my keyboard.  It ruined my desk. I think I had to throw a pair of pants away.  I was inundated and overwhelmed by the deluge of tribal goodness.  It freakin’ rocked.

Today, “Triiibes” celebrates its first birthday. I haven’t been a part of it since day one, but the time I have spend mostly reading, sometimes participating, in this incredible social experiment has been as transformational for me as reading the book that started it all, “Tribes.” I have been exposed to so many wonderful people, all of which have been kind, thoughtful, and gentle with me in all of our interactions.  There is a spirit of caring here that is quite unique.  We are all a part of this thing because we want to be.  There is no reward other than sharing life, digitally, with other people from around the world.  The cast of characters spans the globe, and that, in and of itself, is remarkable.  What is more remarkable is how quickly and eagerly people in Triiibes join together to work on things, to move projects forward, to discuss just about any topic under the sun, and to simply share.  They share their lives, their talents, their spirits, with one another.  With me. I am a part of the whole.  While I am no where near as prolific a contributor as some, the times I have reached out, I have been met with warm, friendly hands.  As I have said several times, I am humbled by the genius that I encounter amongst my digital friends. The genius and the compassion. It is startling.

For me, Triiibes has been about experiencing others, about studying what goes on in the network.  I haven’t launched any world-changing ventures yet, but I have gained more confidence in how I lead others.  I have asked questions, given feedback, and “listened” to discussions that have helped me move forward with my own ideas on how to change the world.  I maintain my blog religiously. I began writing a book. I participate in tribes at work.  The bottom line is that Triiibes has been one of the greatest sources of inspiration for me during the time I have been a member.  It has changed my life. THEY have changed my life.

Happy Birthday, Triiibes. Happy Birthday, Seth. Happy Birthday, EVERYONE.

Like I said, I’m not alone: http://davidism.blogspot.com/ and http://melvinhall.com/node/143.