A sense of belonging

A tribe - a pack, clan, elected family, network, friends or colleagues - is a group of people who share common interests and values and show genuine appreciation and care for each other. This last statement should resonate with all of you as it's one of Fifth Ring's values: "Value and care about people without becoming their caretakers"

Sir Ken Robinson-author of "The Element," a book on how to find work that you're passionate about - argues that your tribe is essential in helping you to find your ambitions & dreams. Members of a tribe kick ideas around with each other and validate each other. Also, tribe members drive each other to explore the real extent of their talents. In addition, Robinson argues that when a group of people with common interests come together, a synergy is created which allows them to create something much greater than any of them could have created individually.

Seth Godin is an entrepreneur and blogger who thinks about the marketing of ideas in the digital age. His newest interest: the tribes we lead. "Seth Godin may be the ultimate entrepreneur for the Information Age," Mary Kuntz wrote in Business Week nearly a decade ago. Seth argues the Internet has ended mass marketing and revived a human social unit from the distant past: tribes. Founded on shared ideas and values, tribes give ordinary people the power to lead and make big change. He urges everyone to do so.

American journalist and writer Jane Howard is credited with the following quote: "Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one."

With the convergence and extended commitment of the major BBN partners the opportunity to extend the size of the network or tribe, and therefore the potential to create something much greater than on an individual level, is evident. So on one level we have our intimate tribes within our regional offices but there exists a wider international tribe that we should be getting to know.

Conclusion

The members of your tribe are your allies on your life journey. When you're creating or expanding your tribe, look for people who will lift you up, help you grow, recharge you, inspire you, and celebrate with you, and who are willing to lend a hand when you need it. In addition, always remember that as a tribe member you have responsibilities toward your tribe. You need to give back to the tribe and offer other tribe members your support, just as they support you.

Now get out there and start creating or expanding your tribe.