The Return of Tribes in the Workplace
Loneliness may be a modern phenomenon, but the need for belonging is ancient. The resurgence of tribes in the workplace highlights the importance of human connection in even the most digital offices.
Having spent many years in corporate India, I've witnessed various management trends come and go. The traditional concept of lifetime loyalty to an employer has faded, and the physical workspace has evolved from cubicles to open floors, and now to hybrid work and home offices.
However, amidst this change, an ancient pattern has reemerged: the tribe. I've observed this phenomenon most notably among the younger professionals I mentor. They are intelligent, impatient, and often restless, forming tribes instinctively.
They instinctively form tribes.
At first, I perceived these groups as mere friendships or casual networks, but they represent a deeper desire for connection and community in the workplace.
Author's summary: Tribes are reemerging in modern workplaces.