How connecting the right people—and giving them a reason to move—creates bold change in leadership

Summary

Movements don’t start with permission.
They start with someone deciding: This matters enough to lead.

In his TEDx talk The Tribes We Lead, Seth Godin dismantles the old models of influence—factories, ads, mass marketing—and lays out a new framework for creating real change. It’s not about bigger budgets or louder megaphones. It’s about finding your people, connecting them to each other, and committing to leading them forward.

Why it matters:
For powerhouse leaders, this is essential: you don’t need everyone to buy in. You need the right people—the true believers who resonate with your mission and want to move it forward. When you align with them, you don’t just create followers; you build a movement.

And this is leadership at its core: challenging the status quo, creating connection, and committing deeply to the work and the people you serve.

You don’t need permission to lead. But in case you’ve been waiting for it—here it is: We’re waiting for you.

Note: This summary is intended to support reflection and discussion on intentional living and leadership.

Key Takeaways

Movements thrive on connection, not control.

• Your job isn’t to push ideas—it’s to gather people who already care and give them a reason to connect.

You don’t need everyone.

• A thousand true believers are enough to spark change. Lead for the right people, not the masses.

Leadership isn’t granted—it’s claimed.

• You don’t need charisma to start; leadership itself gives you charisma.

Heretics change the world.

• Every great movement begins with someone refusing to accept the status quo.

Stories spread movements.

• People share what they’re emotionally invested in. Make sure your leadership tells a story worth repeating.

Reflection Prompts

Who exactly am I connecting—and what do they gain by being connected?

• Why this matters: Leadership isn’t about being the center. It’s about creating circles of connection that outlast you. Reflecting on this shifts your focus from self-promotion to movement-building.

What status quo am I willing to challenge, no matter how uncomfortable it feels?

• Why this matters: Change doesn’t happen in comfort zones. This question helps you clarify what’s non-negotiable for you—and who you’re here to rally around that mission.

If I stopped waiting for permission, what would I start leading today?

• Why this matters: You already have people waiting for your signal. This prompt helps you identify the first small action to move from intention to impact.

Additional Resources

Podcast: "Seth Godin on Playing The Right Game and Strategy as a Superpower" (The Tim Ferriss Show)

• Why it matters: Most leaders burn out playing the wrong game—chasing volume, approval, or short-term wins. In this episode, Seth Godin breaks down how to choose the right game, one built on long-term trust, meaningful connection, and strategy as your true advantage.

Video: "Start With Why" from Simon Sinek (TED Talk)

• Why it matters: A perfect follow-up piece, this video clarifies how purpose fuels the kind of connection and belief that tribes are built on. Sinek shows why people don’t buy into what you do—they buy into why you do it.
  
  For powerhouse leaders, this is a reminder that your clarity of purpose isn’t just inspiring—it’s the magnetic force that attracts the right people and keeps them moving with you.

Where to Watch

• Watch the full video on TED.com.

Invitation to Integrate

This week, stop waiting for mass approval. Start leading for the few who are already leaning in.

Your tribe doesn’t need you to have it all figured out. They need you to stand up, speak clearly, and connect them to each other. Because movements aren’t born from perfect plans. They’re born from bold action, shared stories, and a leader willing to say: “Follow me. This matters.”

You already have permission. Now use it.

Want support clarifying your mission and rallying your “true believers”?
Schedule a Clarity & Connection Call with Sam Jump—PWP founder and Values Integration Expert— and start mapping the leadership shifts that align with who you’re here to become.

You’re not booking a casual chat—you’re securing strategic, high-level support to cut through the noise, identify what matters most, and map the path to the kind of leadership people can’t help but rally behind.

You in?