I have just finished reading Seth Godins Tribes: We need you to lead us. This book is basically trying to convince us that there is an enormous need for leaders all around the world, and that everybody can be a leader. Seth Godin do firmly state that there is a difference between a leader and a manager, and while a manager follow the rules, a leader might be more of a rebellion. At first glance I am intrigued by this book, it looks very interesting, as I believe that the workspace are more and more like a tribe or like a small society or the new village.

The book is 150 pages, and the 80 first is a waste of time, as the book does not make any progress, and just keep going on and on about tribes that need leaders. The last 70 pages do make more sense and he gets more into his message. There are some interesting aspects in the book. He compares a bit with religion and faith, and uses the thermostat and the thermometer as images of leadership, both gives a different view about leadership.

I think he tries to write this book to provoke a bit, but that does not quite work. He defines leaders as persons that change status quo and breakers of new ground. I do think leaders also can lead to enhance and not turn a company upside down at every chance.
There are a lot of stories here about leaders with enthusiasm that have created great dynamic tribes. This are the stories of leaders extraordinary and we all should hear more about them for inspiration.

To summarize this book did not lift me to the next level of leadership, and the stories of great unknown leaders are interesting reading. I would rather read about this in several short posts in a blog than spending money on the book. This book does not bring anything new to those of you that read a lot about leadership in the first place. If you want to start some kind of internet movement this book might be something for you.