A Tribe on a Mission

What metaphor do you use to describe the corporate culture you are aiming to cultivate?

Some say they are cultivating a “tightly-knit family”. But I’ve found that to be an inadequate analogy in business because it doesn’t emphasise performance enough.

Others say they are building a “high-performance sports team”. But I’ve found that to be an inadequate analogy in business because it over-emphasises short term performance.

The analogy that’s worked best for me is a “tribe on a mission”. Think: a group committed to building a bridge, climbing a mountain or trekking to the Promised Land.

A tribe selects its members based on shared values but – once they’re in – sticks by them through thick and thin.

Unlike a family, a tribe on a mission will constantly urge its members forward towards its destination. Unlike a sports team, a tribe on a mission will mentor and nurture its members through difficult times because success can never come at the expense of its values.

So listen carefully to the metaphor your leader uses to describe the team. It will tell you a great deal about the direction your team culture is heading in.