Transforming Groups into Purpose-Driven Tribes: A Proven Model for Engaging Young Professionals

A few years ago, I designed and implemented a national best practice model for young professional engagement with the largest nonprofit in the world. At the time, it was nothing short of mind-blowing for me and encouraged me to study the reasons it was so effective. What was so special about my program that others in the country weren’t tapping into? How was I seeing results that very few others were across the nation?

I figured that most leaders and organizations treated people the way they wanted to be treated, led by example and empowered others along the way. Weren’t those the typical catchphrases everyone talks about?

What I didn’t realize then, but I know wholeheartedly now, is that most people can understand programs and leadership from a nuts and bolts perspective – but what’s not so easy to understand is the human side of it all.

People, generally speaking, all want the same things. To feel connection, to be heard, and to know that their voice matters. And when we engage people in ways where those pieces are being fulfilled – well, that’s when the real magic happens.

When I read Seth Godin’s book “Tribes”, I finally connected the dots on why my program generated such measurable results. WE WERE A TRIBE! And we all grew stronger together because of it.

I now have the immense pleasure of working with organizations from different sectors across the region to collaborate on the transformation of their groups into tribes. When people are connected through passion, there’s no limit to what they can do. Tribes create a community where talent is fostered, and new meaning is brought into members’ lives.

This summary gets to the heart of the differences between run-of-the-mill groups and purpose-driven tribes: