Tribe building tactics

Share stories

Use them to build bonds and strengthen ties between tribe members.30 points

Be the Example

Walk the walk and talk the talk...people only follow those who take their own advice and show they mean what they say.29 points

Create a goal

Define something people want to rally around achieving27 points

Celebrate Accomplishment

Reward tribal milestones or goals reached, whether collective or that of a tribal individual, with shared praise and/or a small physical gift of appreciation25 points

Build the Story of the Tribe. Set the Vision

Define the tribe's journey, goals, interactions, future, and how teamwork will get them where they want to go in a story that epitomizes what the tribe is about. Weave every person, skill, and resource into the story.25 points

Lead with Passion

Show them you are there because you want to be not because you have to.24 points

Listen Carefully

As well as speaking have a strong ear for what the group is saying. Trust that the tribe knows what it needs to grow.23 points

Invent rituals

Summer camps do it. So does organized religion. Great corporations have their own lingo, their own culture. How you speak and the totems and daily rituals build connection.22 points

Introduce Tribe Members to Each Other

Listen, Learn & Introduce people to each other. Make connecting people a priority. One of the biggest fears in life is rejection. If you can help eliminate that fear you are helping somebody.20 points

Create exclusivity

Don't invite everyone to the tribe. Just leaders or influential people, or those with something tangible to add.20 points

Be Authentic

Phoney is as phoney does.
Show how genuine you really are.20 points

Empower Members....

Suggest types of activities/projects that would 'advance the tribe' thereby giving the tribe members a method to feel empowered and responsible. And, then hold them responsible.17 points

Educate

Educate your tribe to help them see things in ways they never imagined. Use simple concepts to help them understand complicated ones. Break things down and explain what is under the hood. They'll be forever grateful someone took the time to do this for them.15 points

Identify the shared values that unite the tribe

When people share a common set of values it can galvanise a tribe to achieve its goals. The process of identifying the tribe's values can involve people, reinforce the role of the leader and also helps build the tribe's identity.14 points

Set some ground rules all can buy into

I like Liz Strauss's rule at www.Success-blog.com, "The rules are simple %u2014 be nice. Do be nice. :),"
but even outlining what will and won't fly is good. For example, Seth didn't want people coming into Triiibes just to promote themselves. In this area, though, I believe less is more.12 points

Fun and Stimulating

When possible, work to maintain a fun and stimulating tribal environment. A happy tribe is a productive tribe. Intellectually stimulated tribe members are productive tribe members - problem solvers.12 points

Give Peoples' Lives Meaning

Have tribal goals that enrich peoples' lives and give them more meaning11 points

Mentor & Encourage Mentoring

How? By giving feedback and rewarding feedback.10 points

Require an Ante to Get in

An ante will weed out people who are not serious and encourage people who put in the initial time/money/effort to be active and participate.10 points

Go Somewhere Different - e.g. Surprise the heck out of them!

As one of my mentors likes to say "zig when when they expect you to zag". Well said! Be Unique. How? Through the element of surprise! Surprise them with gratitude, surprise them with projects, surprise them with praise, surprise them with them with parties (Virtual or otherwise), surprise them with balloons, .....you decide but just surprise them.9 points

Create a manifesto.

Your tribe already exists... it just hasn't been defined yet.

So create a manifesto. Give voice to the frustrations of your tribe members. If you strike the right tone - if they feel you can relate to them - this manifesto will be the viral tool that gets your tribe members to raise their hands and say "I am."9 points

Enourage a Respectful Environment

Whether you're a tribe member or a tribe leader treat leaders and tribe members with respect. Tribes filled with respect and respectful people become tighter - more closely bonded.8 points

Use Carrots, Not Sticks

Leaders of successful tribes don't use sticks, they use carrots. Sticks don't motivate people, carrots do. Offer cool incentives to tribe members who work hard enough to qualify. Make sure the carrots taste good enough to motivate those tribe members sufficiently.8 points

Make it Easier

Narrow the distance between intention and action. In doing so, tribal interaction becomes more fluid and productive. As this distance becomes narrower - the potential productivity of the tribe increases.8 points

Use the web 2.0 power

Blog about your tribe. Create a Squidoo lens. Get a Facebook or Myspace group. Connect them. Get going a Ning network. Create a wiki for your tribe.8 points

Be Timely and Relevant

Adapt, evolve, while learning from lessons learned.8 points

Ask what members need, then provide it

A quick survey (formal or not) to find out what people need or what they are in the tribe for, and then facilitate getting that need met.7 points

Be and Encourager

Whether you're a tribe leader or a tribe member - you wield power. Use that power to encourage other tribe members.7 points

Make It Profitable To Be In, Less To Be Out

Only buyers can be affiliates. Club members get unlimited access to facilities. Insiders get first dibs at buying stock. Join and enjoy 30 days extra - free.7 points

Don't control the Tribe

The collective intelligence of a group is far greater than that of a controlling leader7 points

Invent language

Great corporations have their own lingo, so do great sports teams and niche gurus everywhere. (separate from Invent rituals--they support each other butit's possible to have one without the other)6 points

Don't tell, show

Telling a tribe won't make it change. Showing how and what to do can lead them to change. As Ghandi said "Be the change you want to see"6 points

Have 'particular' experiences together

Activities that become 'rites of passage' that tribe members experience together, whether it's cooking, hunting, dancing, tribes have always done this.6 points

Create a Tribal Book

Create a Tribal book which has the picture and profile for every member of the Tribe. It's like the yearly book for schools and Universities. Anyone who wants to join needs to fill it in. Anyone who leaves can still be left there with a sign "left the tribe" or something. Unless they want their whole profile removed or alternatively moved to the xTribal book.6 points

Be a Coach - an Enabler

The tribe needs someone to set the initial ethos, and to keep it on a sensible course - without telling it what to do.6 points

Have a goal that seems too big to achieve

A committed tribe can achieve extraordinary results - if they're inspired to greatness.6 points

Ask Tough Questions

Asking tribe members and leaders tough (challenging) questions serves three purposes. 1) Helps solve challenging problems, 2) Starts deep, important discussions, and 3) Draws other tribal members into discussions when they might normally lurk. Each of these results in greater tribal cohesion.5 points

Host Virtual Events

Host virtual events so that all members, regardless of geographical location, can participate and interact in an engaging format.5 points

Identify what will be enforced

What many organizations misunderstand is that their standards and values are not defined by their aspirations but by what they are prepared to enforce.5 points

Build a Mecca

A place that members can go to be surrounded by specific examples of your realized vision. Incorporate ways for them to learn, celebrate, tinker, and add their ideas.5 points

Have a noticeboard
A central touchpoint where people can get information and congregate4 points

Have a regular contest - weekly, monthly

Feature/Highlight "winner"4 points

Survey your Tribe members - Ask for Feedback

What's working/what's not working/Ask them for their input/feedback4 points

Encourage Tribal Equality

Be conscientious to think of all tribe members in equal terms. Each tribe member offers unique value to the tribe. When each tribe member feels valued %u2013 a healthier, more productive and cohesive tribe will result.4 points

Tribe Members First

Remember to put the members of the tribe first. Don%u2019t neglect your tribe members by focusing too much on recruiting new members. Tribe members are smart %u2013 they know where they stand.4 points

Communicate and Plan It.

Make a specific plan a year out for communicating. Take it personally and seriously. Your tribe has a reason to exist. Over-communicate it and in your communications aim to touch, arm, enlist and persist.4 points

Community Outreach

Triiibes already has great ideas to help those outside the tribe. The Case Study e-book is an example. Yes, the membership can be exclusive, but benefits can go beyond the tribe.4 points

Feature (Recognize) Members

Similar to what's being done in Tribes.....but this could work offline too.4 points

Encourage Play

Everyone likes to play, and not just because it's fun. Play makes you feel like you're a part of something larger than yourself.4 points

Club T-Shirts

Everybody wants to be a part of something, T-shirts are a way to express yourself.3 points

Confront the tribe's anxieties

3 points

Appreciate them! And be Specific!

Use their name, appreciate them for what they're doing, and make the appreciation very SPECIFIC! "Seth, giving 50% of Squidoo's profits to charity is awesome and inspires me"3 points

Encourage Accessible Leadership

Great tribal leaders are accessible to tribe members. Accessible leaders better understand the tribal environment and specific needs of the tribe. Furthermore, tribe members feel more appreciated when they%u2019re able to connect directly with their leaders.3 points

Create a tribal school or playground

Create a tribal school or playground, a place where where the youngsters can meet, interact and learn how to be valuable tribe members in the future.3 points

Tactics are concrete, so use concrete as a tactic.

"A tactic is a concrete action you can take to support a strategy."

At my agency, we actually use concrete as a tactic. Literally.

Something as simple as a sidewalk chalk welcome goes a long, long way.

It makes our guests, whether a client or a prospect or a new employee, feel special and appreciated and welcomed to our tribe.

- When folks arrive they get a special welcome for all the world to see.

- When they get back to their office, they have a "thank you" email with an image of the sid...3 points

Interview Tribe Members

Interview members of your Tribe. Let others submit questions. Who knows, maybe they'll be interviewed next?3 points

Don't be afraid to excommunicate members

It strengthens the tribe when you remove negative, disruptive influences - and provides more incentive for existing members to act in good faith.
(Examples: sacking people who don't fit the culture in a workplace, disabling accounts when people abuse rules on forums, etc.)3 points

Be Firm, Fair, and Consistent

As a leader, enforce the rules of your tribe in a way that benefits everyone. Playing favorites will only make your tribe distrust you.3 points

Start a hero newsletter

Send the core members of the tribe a regular newsletter, with each issue highlighting the achievements of member of the tribe.2 points

Have a common enemy

From the cold war to global warming, a powerful enemy can be the tie that binds2 points

Encourage a Collective Mindset

Encourage tribe members to think in terms of the tribe %u2013 not just themselves. A collective mentality rises above pride of ownership and encourages tribe members to work together for the common good of the tribe and its objectives.2 points

Create (or encourage) Sub-tribes (Communities)

Everyone has different skills and interests....provide a place/forum/groups to optimize this uniqueness.2 points

Brag About It

"Triiibes.com has some GREAT conversations going on. Too bad you can't share in them. You'd love it!". Or "Seen this? It's my new iPhone!". Or "My son is a whiz at math - he's in ______ , y'know?"2 points

Encourage a gift culture

Giving is one of our most important rituals. When you receive a gift, learn to appreciate the act itself, not the product. Then give yourself. Don't compare the gift. Enjoy the process, enjoy the intensions. Great tribes give and receive respectfully.2 points

Show Appreciation to Non-member Tribe Supporters

Not all resources and talents come from within a tribe. A spouse or business associate of a member may contribute something of value. Same for non-members in the community who donate product, services, or valuable input. Showing appreciation builds bridges outside the tribe, helps recruitment, and encourages tribe members to find similar supporters.2 points

Classic: Ethical bribe for email address

Find out what they want. Give them your best advice for free and spread the word about it. In exchange they become your tribe member with their email address.2 points

Building a good tribe, builds a better tribe

Everyone wants to belong to something bigger than themselves. If you build a tribe that becomes popular, it becomes more popular. If the tribe is having fun and learning, others wanting the same will join. Cialdini calls this 'social proof'.2 points

Encourage Volunteerism

Let the tribe decide what cause they would like to take up. Give them time to volunteer, perhaps a couple of hours a month.2 points

Make a Video

I just joined a group over on Facebook called the Hurricane of Gratitude. They are using mostly videos to communicate within the group. It is awesome to witness how fast I connect with and feel connected with others with in the group. Raw, unedited, mistake filled videos that reveal AUTHENTIC human beings seeking connection with each other... I watched a video of Kuwait beach - just panning back and forth... and it was amazing - I felt like I was on that beach... I watched a video of a guy...2 points

Give Feedback

Both Positive and Negative1 point

Invite. Invite. Invite.

Entice more of what you want to see with personal invitations and request, lots of them.1 point

Have a [remarkable] uniform

No, I don't mean golf shirts with your company logo. At my creative services company (currently staffed completely by women so we might need to modify if we hire some men) we give each new full time hire a necklace -- a single sphere in the company's shade of blue with little diamond chips. They're about $75 at a local jeweler. When we go to networking events, conventions, lead seminars or whenever, we all wear them. People also wear them regularly because their pretty and of couse that remind...1 point

Keep Busy With Your Tribal Cause

Tribes that have a worthy cause should always keep busy. Activity draws talents out. Activity binds people of like minds. Activity breeds creativity.1 point

Bring them shiny new things

Bring new ideas, trends, colours, concepts from other tribes. Talk about the new thing in wedding gowns to your business tribe; and the best ways manager thank their employees to you new brides tribe.

Stimulate ideas and show how they relate. Your tribe will follow you everywhere and back again.1 point

Lead by sharing power, not monopolizing it

If your tribe has a great idea, approve it, and let them run with it.1 point

Hold Tribes Parties around local events!

Example with hold a party for past clients on opening day of Cincinnati Reds Opening Day! We do it at a local pub, everything is on us during game, great interaction!1 point

Purpose, Passion, and Promotion....

Promote your tribe every day in every way by demonstrating genuine belief in the tribe and giving your time and energy to everyone you meet. Do this inside your tribe WITH PASSION and outside your tribe WITH GENEROSITY and three things will happen:
1 - You will demonstrate the values and principles of the tribe (recruit quality people).
2 - Your tribe will flourish (develop and learn from experience and exposure).
3 - You will grow as a person (increase your personal value and self-worth).
How...1 point

Talk to neighborhood tribes

Interview other stakeholders and tribal members from different industries, passions and outlooks. It's amazing what you'll be able to apply to your own seemingly disparate tribe.1 point

Honesty

Be someone people can trust, someone people can believe in.1 point

Aggregate tribe information

Become the information portal for a tribe and empower them to brag about their thoughts. Get non tribe members to become jealous because they don%u2019t belong%u2026..yet1 point

ask for referrals

have a referral program, with benefits for existing members who bring in new members0 points

Give preference to groups

Carmine's restaurant, for example, only gives reservations to groups of six or more. It means that going to the restaurant is a party, not just dinner.0 points

Be a Star Promise

Everybody have a need to be respected, to have the respect and admiration of others in their tribes. People need to engage themselves to gain recognition, Be a Star...0 points

Surprise Your Tribe with something unexpected

0 points

Team up with another Tribe

Teaming up with some other tribes. This does not necessarily mean in everything but having some common intersecting interests with other tribes..you offer something and they do..sharing is caring..for example :
Team up with Tribe W for IT/computer/web expertise
Team up with Tribe X for Marketing/Branding expertise
Team up with Tribe Y for Medical/Health expertise
Team up with Tribe Z (your competitor/enemy?) for a common CSR interest-Build Peace?0 points

Host a virtual event - Potluck?

All members are invited to participate.0 points

Create (or encourage) Sub-tribes (Communities)

Everyone has different skills and interests....provide a place/forum/groups to optimize this uniqueness.0 points

Speak softly - but carry a big stick

It is crucial to maintain a high level of discipline and mutual respect within a tribe to stay on target. If done skillfully, acceptance and adherance to rules to that effect will create an environment in which most tribe members will feel "at home". It is vital for the leader to visibly enforce these rules at all times if he has to.0 points

Play Big Outside of the Box

Don't be afraid of abandoning the "status quo" - tribes that are static die. Facilitate opportunities for your tribe to grow both collectively and individually in ways that stretch their current capacities. Play BIG and outside the box of convention to meet the needs of your tribe - some people may call you crazy, but wild success rarely comes by staying inside the box and following what others have done.0 points

Stimulate Affinity

Recognize shared affinities that tribe members have. These may be shared values, beliefs, common interests or goals. Play to them through discussions, groups, events. Create experiences that people can learn from and share.0 points

Use global messaging to announce, inform and engage

Send global email messages as promised and with permission! Consistently send weekly digest to announce, inform and engage...NOT to promote, sell or manage. When done well, members rarely opt for the delete like spam action.0 points

Create Barriers To Entry or Completely Eliminate Them

Decide the type of people you want to have in your tribe and either make it easy or hard to join. Buy a book, enter a contest, intern. Or make anyone able to join. It's up to you and you have to manage the tribe differently in each situation.0 points

Use the tribes' size and contacts to generate perks

The tribe isn't there to provide everything for tribe members, but any sizable or influential enough tribe can negotiate deals with businesses or groups for discounts or similar exchanges. My husband is offered great deals on cell phones and service plans because he is works for a state university.0 points

Do something!

The worst thing you can do for your Tribe...is nothing. Do something...now, today, tomorrow, next week. Keep doing something!0 points

Be there for them

After all, who is the leader in it for?0 points

Never Confuse Effort With Results

A tribe wants to do something - meaning, that counts - and you need to make sure that they get there. No mission = no win and no win = no satisfaction. Everyone tries, leaders (& tribes) deliver results that matter.0 points

Absorb, Deflect, Scatter - the Heat

Act like sunscreen for your tribe. The leader keeps the harmful rays and heat off the tribe while the tribe does the important work. Keep Mr. No and Ms. Drain-the-energy from the tribe - take the heat and turn the negative ions into more energy to fuel the tribe.0 points

Don't assume everyone wants in

Just look for those who resonate with your mission0 points

0 points

Connect with Strangers

Compliment a cleaning person - tell them how beautiful they make the place! They often go unappreciated.0 points