Finding Your Tribe

There is an efficient mechanic in storytelling that gathers a group of adventurers together without having to tell their backstories.
The storyteller will start the tale with the tried and true trope of, "You meet in a tavern."
The adventurers find themselves unceremoniously thrust together, seeking an adventure from a mysterious figure of, more than likely, questionable motive.
After which they set off to become a group of heroes we can root for.
Along the journey, they become friends and maybe even family.
A tribe of people moving in the same direction with the same purpose, enriching each other with their strengths and weaknesses.

While it is useful in storytelling, we rarely find our tribe so efficiently.
But isn't that what we hope to do?
Find a tribe that we can adventure with.
Share life with.
Move forward with great purpose and conviction.
Or, at the very least, feel that we are part of something more than ourselves.

The journey to find a tribe starts in the time before you meet at the tavern.
Finding a tribe starts with exploring new ideas, places, and people that are outside your current story.
Finding your tribe starts when you want it enough to leave what is to look for what can be.

The storytelling analogy is all well and good, but what about finding a group of people IRL (in real life).
It isn't complex, but as the old man said, "it dangerous to go alone...".
So here are some thoughts on finding your tribe.

The question is a simple one, "What are you searching for?"
Are you searching for a tribe outside of your career?
There are tribes of people that form around religious/spiritual ideas, political beliefs, social concerns,  sportsball teams, hobbies, workouts, games, all kinds of interests.
What you are interested in is the first step to finding where you need to look for your tribe.

Do you, for some reason, like to run?
Ask your friends, search social media, or call your local shoe store or gym and ask if they know of any running groups.

Do you enjoy reading books and discussing ideas?
Look for a book club at your local bookstore or library.

Whatever it is you are interested in, it is more than likely someone else is too.
Think about the most logical place to look for people with similar interests, and start your search there.

Are you searching for a tribe to build your career?
Start by asking what you are good at.
What experience, skills, strengths, and insight can you bring to a team?
Then ask, what do you need to do to develop your skills, build strength, and refine your insight?
Identifying your abilities and then taking the time to refine them is essential to proving that you can make a difference inside of a company.

Next, ask what kind of business do you want to be a part of?
Do you want to be part of a fast-growing company that is focused on upward mobility?
Do you want to be part of a small team that is focused on a specific social initiative?
Is company culture important to you?
Is having an experienced leadership team important to you?
What are you looking for?
Be specific.

You might be looking for a team that encourages and rewards innovation while having a focus on a culture of servant leadership.
You might be looking for a team that makes you feel that your contributions are worthwhile and that you are solving a significant problem.
Whatever you are looking for in a tribe, make sure you understand what traits are the most meaningful to you.

Once you have identified the tribe you want to be a part of, pursue them.
If you can help them on their journey, prove it to them.
Show them how your strengths, skills, and abilities can meet an obvious need.
Or better yet, show them how you can meet a need that they aren't aware of yet.

Finding a tribe starts with understanding yourself and then conducting a search for the kind of people you want to grow with.
So traveler, are you up for an adventure?

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