Beyond tribalism

Issue 34: More lessons about social identity from 'The Power of Us'; the nature of our political divides; and a whole bunch of podcasts

We were recently asked to distill five key lessons from our book for the Next Big Idea Club. Last week, we shared the first three lessons (summarized below). This week we share another two.

1. We contain multitudes

Each of us contains multiple identities that come in and out of focus at different times, often because of the social situations around us.

2. People have a readiness for solidarity

When people experience a sense of common fate, it generates feelings of common identity. These identities allow for solidarity, helping people to work together. Great leaders know how to harness this psychology, especially during times of change or crisis.

3. All reality is social reality

People naïvely assume they see the world for what it really is, but when you adopt an identity, it is as if you put on a pair of glasses that filters your experience of the world—what we call the “Lens of Identity”.

4. Tribalism is a myth

The idea that groups are inevitably discriminatory is incredibly common—but it’s …