Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us

The concept of eudaimonia was proposed by Aristotle in Nicomachean Ethics in the fourth century BC. Steven Joseph of Psychology Today writes, “Aristotle understood human beings to be creatures constantly driven toward what is more perfect” (Joseph, Stephen. “What Is Eudaimonic Happiness?” Psychology Today, 2019). The philosophy promotes living with purpose and meaning while working toward self-actualization. Humans symbolize pure potential, and they must fill out their future self or they will feel lost, set adrift. It is important to differentiate eudaimonic happiness from hedonic happiness. A hedonist tenet is that the pursuit of pleasure and elimination of pain will lead to happiness. In contrast, Godin argues, “If you’re not uncomfortable in your work as a leader, it’s almost certain you’re not reaching your potential as a leader” (31). In other words, some pain or discomfort can actually be a sign of fulfillment and, by extension, happiness. These statements also demonstrate Godin’s attitude that although discomfort may arise from hardship, criticism, and risk-taking, a person will feel more fulfilled having attempted to maximize their potential.

Personal empowerment and self-expression may sound attractive, but in the real world—a world fraught with guilt, fear, and criticism—they can be hard practices. As a foil to people living out their potentials, Godin introduces the idea of sheepwalkers, people who have forfeited their imagination, initiative, and determination in favor of compliance. Sheepwalkers are held in place by fear, and the author urges readers to embrace their rightful destinies by resisting such an anesthetic life. Moreover, an unthinking workforce is ultimately destructive to even the employers. Sheepwalkers neither strive for lofty heights nor challenge failing standards. Instead, they keep their heads down and become trapped in stagnation, neither discontent nor truly content. Godin posits eudaimonic pursuits as the cure to this terrible cycle.

Optimalism is a term proposed by American Israeli psychologist Tal-Ben Shahir. The concept was established in juxtaposition to negative perfectionism, which has mostly negative connotations. A perfectionist holds reality to unrealistic standards, has compulsions toward impossible objectives, and rejects any form of failure—but an optimalist rolls with the punches, accepting failure on the way to achievement. Godin states, “The only thing that makes people and organizations great is their willingness to be not great along the way. The desire to fail on the way to reaching a bigger goal is the untold secret of success” (61). Tribes has a strong optimalist throughline that presents belief as an antidote to fear: “[T]he only thing holding you back from becoming the kind of person who changes things is this: lack of faith. Faith that you can do it. Faith that it’s worth doing. Faith that failure won’t destroy you” (40). Together, optimalism and a vision of eudaimonia can buffer and reframe life’s hardships. Godin guarantees that resilience and a higher purpose will overcome self-doubt, peer criticism, and inevitable frustrations.