Tribal LeadershipManaging Your Business Success

Research&

Discovery

Dave Logan, John King, and Halee Fischer-Wright conducted a 10-year study of corporate level professionals in over two dozen companies to monitor and establish common themes. Their research is compiled in the book Tribal Leadership: Leveraging Natural Groups to Build a Thriving Organization.

Tribal Development

There are 5 Stages of Tribal CultureEach stage progresses to a more developed and effective way of leading a team to success.

Stage 1

Most Professionals Skip

This tribal mentality is mostly compromised of negative feelings such as despair, hostility and a collective belief that “life sucks.”

These personality types may create scandals, are untrustworthy and may even threaten violence to others.

Street gangs, organized crime groups and prisoners/ex-cons represent this tribe facet.

Stage 2

25% of Workplace Tribes

These people perceive themselves as victims with a mind-set of “my life sucks.”

Personalities are apathetic, passively antagonistic, sarcastic and resistant to change.

People in this group are complacent and are not willing to be progressive. They complain about their environment and continue to perpetrate it.

Stage 3

49% of Workplace Tribes

Focused on personal achievement with a motto of “I’m great (and you’re not).”

This personality has to win by outworking and outthinking their competition. They hoard information as a strategy to stay on top.

Known as lone warriors. They have a need to be and strive for the best, sometimes at the expense of others.

Stage 4

Working as a Team

The transition from “I’m great” to “we’re great.”

These people are great team players who value the development of the group as a whole. They are loyal, dependable and good leaders.

This group cultivates creativity and innovation. The focus is on team/company pride and thrives on competition.

Stage 5

Life is Great!

A rarity among tribes. Characterized by innocent wonder and a strong belief that “life is great.”

Less than 2% of workplace tribal culture.

These people have noble mindsets that outrank competitive folly. They are determined to make a positive global impact.

How to Develop a Stage 5 EnvironmentMove Your Group Successfully Through Each Stage

Lead Your Company the Right Way

Toxic Leadership Group Leadership

New Ideas

Enlist Management and StaffCommunication is Key:

Outline business goals and ask workers if the company is aligned with the vision.

Review feedback and ask more questions.

Lead from the inside out by incorporating good ideas, acknowledging who had the idea and build company comradery by assembling a group of top peer choices.

Internal Employees and External Resources

Internal Employees• Focus on work-life balance

• Implement committees

• Career Track Programs

• Have an Open Door Policy

External Resources• Survey company employees

• Work-Related Training and/or Tuition Reimbursement

• Leadership Conferences

• Contributions/Charitable Participation

IMMINENT OBSTACLES

Chuang, S. (2013). Essential skills for leadership effectiveness in diverse workplace development. Retrieved from http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1133&context=ojwed

Top Business Challenges:Advances in Technology

• Technology advancements are being produced faster than in previous years (Chuang, 2013)

• Skilled laborers are harder to find (Chuang, 2013)

• Understanding new technologies take time and effort

• Finding the right platform for your business industry

Stay Fully Committed

Understand There Will Be Mistakes

Be Positive and Progressive

To overcome the Stage 2 culture of resistance you must stay fully committed to the process of change. When mistakes happen do not revert backward, understanding ahead of time that there will be obstacles to conquer. Leverage a mishap into an opportunity by updating policy to handle future incidents strategically and not emotionally. Always stay positive, it sustains an atmosphere of potential and hope that keeps everyone progressive.

Business Success

Work these principles to develop a company culture that produce success.