A strange thing happens just before mile marker three in the London Marathon. With approximately 40,000 runners participating in one of the world’s largest charity fundraising events, crowd control necessitates that there be three different starting points. Just before the three-mile marker, these three different routes start to merge onto a single course.
How Tribalism Hurts Companies, and What to Do About It
“Us versus them” should be about competitors, not employees.
July 26, 2017
Summary.
We often find ourselves at cross-purposes with our colleagues. Even though everyone is on the same team, the goals and needs are different. This environment sets the stage for different units to adopt a mindset that is more “us vs. them” rather than “us vs. our competitors.” You’ll notice this kind of tribalism if teams start blaming each other or the customer for problems, or if they’re outright failing to work with one another. Addressing it requires understanding the psychology of tribalism; reframing goals; breaking down organizational silos; and managing executive egos.