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.
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insights INSIGHT
Human Nature and Tribal Instincts
Human nature is essentially nurture, as we are wired to internalize our community's patterns.
We enact these patterns to connect, forming tribes based on shared ideas and practices, fostering trust and collaboration.
insights INSIGHT
The Power of the Peer Instinct
The peer instinct, the first wave, enabled coordinated foraging and hunting, leading to greater economic returns.
Though sometimes derided, conformity fosters collective innovation and thinking as a group, crucial for human advancement.
question_answer ANECDOTE
The Emergence of the Hero Instinct
The hero instinct, emerging roughly 500,000 years ago, facilitated pro-social acts like hunting large game and crafting complex tools.
Individuals contributing to the group gained reputations as heroes, incentivizing adaptation and innovation.
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How the Cultural Instincts That Divide Us Can Help Bring Us Together
Michael Morris
In 'Tribal,' Michael Morris argues that our psychology is wired by evolution in three distinctive ways: the peer instinct to conform, the hero instinct to give to the group, and the ancestor instinct to follow prior generations. These tribal instincts enable us to share knowledge, work as a team, and transmit cultural knowledge. Morris uses deep research, current and historical events, and stories from business and politics to show how these instincts can elevate performance, heal rifts, and drive cultural change. The book challenges conventional wisdom and offers a hopeful vision for collective change.
The Women
Kristen Hanna
Lovely One
Ketanji Brown Jackson
Funny Story
Emily Henry
In 'Funny Story', Emily Henry tells the story of Daphne Vincent, a children’s librarian whose life is turned upside down when her fiancé, Peter, leaves her for his childhood best friend, Petra. Daphne moves in with Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak, a chaotic and laid-back winery employee who is the opposite of Daphne’s practical and buttoned-up personality. As they form a tenuous friendship and engage in a pretend-lovers plot, they navigate their emotional baggage, childhood traumas, and the complexities of love and relationships. The novel is set in the beautiful small town of Waning Bay, Michigan, and explores themes of self-discovery, meaningful friendships, and the growth of the characters.
James
Percival Everett
Percival Everett's "James" is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that reimagines the classic tale of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Jim. Everett's writing is both sharp and witty, blending humor and pathos to create a compelling narrative. The novel explores themes of race, freedom, and identity in a way that is both timely and timeless. Everett's unique voice and perspective offer a fresh take on a familiar story, challenging readers to reconsider their assumptions about race and American history. The novel's unexpected twists and turns keep readers engaged until the very end, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.
The Great Believers
Rebecca Makkai
The Great Believers follows two intertwining storylines. The first is set in 1980s and '90s Chicago, where Yale Tishman, an art gallery acquisitions manager, navigates the devastating effects of the AIDS epidemic on his community. The second storyline takes place in Paris in 2015, where Fiona Marcus, a secondary character from the first storyline, searches for her estranged daughter and grapples with the long-term consequences of the epidemic on her life. The novel explores themes of loss, betrayal, friendship, and survival, and it is known for its detailed portrayal of the emotional and social impacts of the AIDS crisis[2][4][5].
1984
None
George Orwell
Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.
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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.
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