What Evolutionary Psychology Teaches Us About How To Influence People | Michael Morris
Dec 16, 2024
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Michael Morris, a leadership professor at Columbia Business School and author of "Tribal," explores the dual nature of tribalism. He discusses its evolutionary roots and how it can enhance leadership and collaboration. The conversation emphasizes the significance of cultural psychology in motivating change and the impact of shared rituals in workplace dynamics. Morris highlights the power of symbols in fostering identity and community, while also addressing the dangers of divisive tribal instincts in politics, advocating for constructive dialogue to bridge divides.
Understanding tribalism can reveal its potential benefits, promoting solidarity without hostility when approached with a constructive mindset.
Cultural psychology is vital for effective leadership as it influences behaviors and perceptions, enabling leaders to motivate and collaborate with teams.
Human evolutionary instincts, like the peer and hero instincts, shape complex social cooperation, aiding trust-building and collective knowledge sharing among groups.
Deep dives
Understanding Tribalism and Its Insights
Tribalism, often viewed negatively, can offer valuable insights when understood correctly. The distinction between tribalism and innate tribal instincts highlights that solidarity doesn’t always necessitate hostility. By recognizing these instincts rooted in our evolutionary background, individuals can effectively lead and influence groups, whether in personal or professional settings. Engaging with these instincts can result in powerful and constructive results, showcasing the potential positivity inherent in tribal behavior.
The Importance of Cultural Frames in Leadership
Cultural psychology plays a crucial role in leadership effectiveness, as it encompasses how cultural frames shape behavior and perception. Leadership involves guiding individuals through the evolving landscape of culture by understanding how cultural assumptions operate and trigger responses. This knowledge can help leaders harness cultural instincts to motivate their teams and encourage collaboration. By tapping into shared identities and traditions, leaders can foster environments that support innovative thinking and effective teamwork.
Tribal Instincts: Evolutionary Perspectives
Human beings have evolved unique tribal instincts that enable cooperation within larger social structures, unlike other primates. The development of three primary instincts—the peer instinct, the hero instinct, and the ancestor instinct—has significantly contributed to our ability to form complex communities. These instincts are not merely historical artifacts; they inform present-day social behaviors and relationships. Recognizing and engaging these instincts allows individuals to build trust, facilitate collaboration, and accumulate shared knowledge over generations.
Practical Applications of Tribal Instincts
To leverage tribal instincts effectively, individuals can create environments that encourage collective participation and adherence to group norms. One way to do this is through symbols and rituals that resonate with team members, fostering unity and shared identity. Celebrating traditions, initiating team rituals, or simply recognizing achievements can tap into the ancestor instinct and reinforce community bonds. Environments that support peer interactions and heroes—through mentorship and recognition—can enhance motivation and ultimately result in improved organizational outcomes.
Navigating the Risks of Tribalism
While harnessing tribal instincts has numerous benefits, there are inherent risks that can arise from unchecked tribalism. Increased polarization and ‘us vs. them’ mentalities can lead to detrimental outcomes if individuals do not manage their tribal affiliations responsibly. Programs encouraging dialogue should focus on shared interests rather than explicitly political discussions to foster understanding and reduce defensiveness. This strategic approach can help bridge divides within communities and encourage productive interactions, minimizing the adverse effects often associated with tribalism.
The upside of the often misunderstood "tribalism".
Michael Morris is the Chavkin-Chang Professor of Leadership at Columbia Business School as well as a Professor in its Psychology Department. Outside of academia, Professor Morris has consulted with and conducted executive training workshops for hundreds of clients across the globe, including Fortune 100 firms, governments, and the Obama and Clinton campaigns. He lives in New York City. His latest book is called Tribal: How The Cultural Instincts That Divide Us Can Help Bring Us Together.