Tribes often have leaders. Leaders are aware of the tribe’s purpose.

But leaders don’t always do a good job of conveying this purpose across the tribe. And members who don’t know what it is all about, why they are in a tribe, cannot function effectively within it - or for it.

So, conveying a sense of purpose is critical for a tribe to survive and thrive.

Leaders carry primary responsibility for doing this. But each tribe member must amplify and extend the spread of the message across the community. Doing this without distortion or dilution of the message requires tools, processes and close monitoring as a system evolves.

That is why mission and vision statements are important for corporations or even non-profits. And why retreats and group get-aways are not a ‘waste of time’ but deeply enriching and bonding events.

Communication of purpose through documents or pamphlets, brochures or advertisements, booklets or seminars, do have a role to play. But equally, if not more, important is conveying purpose through group behavior - and ex-communication of non-conformists.

Those are the responsibility of leaders who want to build tribes with a purpose.