Harnessing the Power of Your Tribe for Change
Why don't we talk more openly about the tribes we belong to? By naming these 'tribes'—defining their goals and each member's role—we can remove the ambiguity that often hinders change.
When we articulate what's often implied, we create clear direction and eliminate uncertainty—the very things that can undermine successful change. Once these roles and goals are defined, and the tribe is strong, resilience grows, enabling the group to better handle any change.
The mission of change management is to drive adoption, usage, and integration to improve measurable outcomes. Essentially, it aims to ensure long-term success by minimizing risk and resistance. For this to happen, we need to understand each person's role and their impact, which may not always be reflected by their formal job title.
Tribal Instincts (being the Change Makers)
These Tribal Instincts, as explained by Michael Morris in the IdeaCast Podcast “How Tribalism can actually strengthen workplace culture,” are highly relevant.
Peer Instinct: Collaboration strengthens teams and encourages engagement in change efforts.
Hero Instinct: True leadership during change often emerges from those respected by their peers, not just those with formal authority.
Ancestor Instinct: Understanding past success helps connect new changes to the ‘good old days,’ creating comfort around moving forward.
Understanding how your team operates can change the trajectory, removing obstacles by leveraging these Instincts.
Facilitate working groups: Ensure that everyone’s voice is heard and the risks and rewards are reviewed, so all participants leave with a shared path forward.
Identify the “ring leader:” Work to understand and address their concerns and objections, so they can help advocate for the change.
Reflect on the “good old days:” Understand what made them special, and show how the future can restore that feeling—since no one wants to literally move backwards.
By actively participating in a tribe and recognize our roles within it, we can drive positive change and contribute to a culture of collaboration and resilience.
I invite you to join my ‘Change Maker Tribe’ - a community committed to driving meaningful change. Subscribe to my newsletter and be part of a movement where we shape the future of work together.
Be the Change Maker:
Start discussing how you see your role and impact within your tribes. See if others agree and explore how you can be the "Hero" who influences positive change.