This podcast features portions of a skype conference call with Seth Godin talking about the importance of tribes and leadership.
This week I read and listened to Seth Godin’s new book, Tribes. When I think of a tribe on the Internet I’m thinking of dozens or hundreds of people who are connected by things that they agree are important and ideas that tribe members share. Numerous technologies provide opportunities to become part of a tribe, and each tribe that I’m a member of offers benefits.
My Tribes
The Internet has become less about Websites and more about people, people who have an active web presence. On the Internet, tribe members are active participants, more than just consumers of information, they are participants in a democratic revolution where they have realized that they too have a voice.
- On Twitter I follow a tribe of people who keep me in the loop regarding the latest news on topics that matter to me, and other Tribe members follow me, and connect to the ideas I share.
- On Facebook, friends and fans of Northern Edge Algonquin share photos and stories about their experiences at our nature retreat.
- I read a number of blogs and comment when I feel the urge, participating in the conversation, sharing ideas that matter to me. (As a reader of this blog, I hope you take me up on the open invitation to comment from time to time on my posts).
Tribe members are located all over the world and are connected by technologies that would seem magical only a few short years ago. Whether sitting at a keyboard, or travelling with my phone, I’m connected at will. This is an important distinction. I can follow whoever I want, and unfollow them, whenever I want. I can seek their counsel on a variety of topics – if and when I choose. The Internet is alive with ongoing conversation that pulses and grows unceasingly. The members of my tribe are selected by me, to help me filter the world and help me make sense of things. I am glad I have found my tribes.
As a member of this tribe, you are choosing to put your trust in the ideas shared here. Thank you for trusting me and the ideas represented in my podcast and blog.
A Tribes Project: Join the Tribes Tribe
I want to share with you a small project I have started and invite your participation. Inside the cover of my copy of Seth Godin’s new book, Tribes, I have left a short message inviting the holder of the book to read Tribes within 7 days before passing it on to another (I’m also passing on an mp3 version of the book for those who don’t have time to read the book. Want the mp3 version of Tribes? Seth asked me to share my copy of the audio program, so drop me direct message on twitter at twitter.com/toddlesby and I’ll send a link to a free Tribes.mp3). Great ideas are worth spreading! Each person who receives the book is invited to record their name. I am also inviting readers and listeners to share their ideas on Tribes and Leadership in the comments section of this blog post after reading or listening to the audio version of the book. I’ve made a link for the project that is easy to remember: http://www.tourismkeys.ca/tribes.html
If you have finished with your own copy of Tribes, I invite you to try something similar. Put a note inside the cover, and pass it along. If you wish to see what happens to my original copy of Tribes, leave a short comment on this page and you’ll be updated any time a reader or listener of the book leaves a comment here.
By the way, if you’ve read your own copy of Tribes and want to share your insights, go right ahead, as a member of this tribe, your participation is always welcome.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
This is the first book of Seth Godin’s I’ve ever read. Simple thoughts, clear ideas, with examples of successful tribe leaders. I have a hard time keeping up with all of my tribes. Social media tools make it easy to keep in touch, but sometimes the flow of information is too much.
A quick easy read with some thought provoking ideas. The concept of tribes is not new, but the emergence of social media takes the ‘cluster’s of yesterday ‘ and redefines it with the people you wish to associate with today and tomorrow. It is a natural concept rooted in the desire to aligns your affinity with like-minded-people.
The challenge now for busineses and particularly marketers — can we adjust rapidly enough to respond to the concept and utilize the technology before it changes!
I was the first to receive Tribes from Todd and I chose to listen along with the audio version. I found Seth Godin’s visions very insightful and true to today’s ways of learning/following via internet media.
I agree with Nancy above in they way that technology moves so quickly, but for small businesses these techniques are very beneficial, and I’m sure his next book with be even more so.
This book was an “easy-to-read” book, in that it was easy to read (legible, short, could be done within a few hours, a day, a couple of days or a week of short sit-downs). What was delightful was that it was also a powerful and inspiring read. Seth Godin is a master communicator. Short, snappy writing style.
I have incorporated many components, quotes and insights into my tourism workshops already. Thank you so much for bringing this book into my life.
I have passed on the book already to the General Manager of a four star resort that we partner with.
Thanks.
Celes