Have you ever worked with a group of people who seemed so connected that they finish each other’s sentences? They move as one, like a well-oiled machine. Each person takes responsibility for his or her own work and well-being, while also taking responsibility for communication with others on the team. This is what team flow looks like. What facilitates this is a common history and culture, trust, and respect among team members. The organization feels almost tribal.
For some strange reason, the idea of tribalism has evolved to have negative meaning. When tribalism becomes territorial and defensive, and begins to consciously separate itself by dehumanizing those not in the tribe, I would agree that the idea of tribalism is quite negative.
However, I have witnessed a different form of tribalism in the GSD program. While the members of this tribe are tight with one another within the program, one of the things that binds them is the common focus of service to...