Tribe Building To Pack Growth: How To Be A Fearless, Authentic Entrepreneur

The lexicon of business and entrepreneurship is continually evolving, mirroring the changes and growth within the industry itself. For a long time, “tribe building” has been the go-to phrase for creating a community of like-minded individuals around a brand or cause. But the term, while catchy, carries a weight that many of us have grown uncomfortable shouldering.

As a wordsmith—someone who built her first business on the power of words alone—I recognize the gravity and influence of the language we choose. Words are not merely strings of letters; they are vehicles of meaning, shaping our thoughts, actions, and the world around us. This is particularly true when you’re using content marketing to promote your business. Your words have power, and as we all know, with great power comes great responsibility.

In light of recent years, it’s become glaringly clear that the term ‘tribe’ can inadvertently evoke racial and social issues, and tread the dangerous waters of cultural appropriation. The term often oversimplifies and misappropriated the complex and unique structures of indigenous communities. It dilutes the richness and diversity of true tribal cultures into a one-size-fits-all label, while unknowingly perpetuating stereotypes.

It’s time for a shift. It’s time for a term that encapsulates not only the essence of a community but also integrates the values and principles we hold dear at Rebel Wolf: fearlessness, innovation, authenticity, and transparency.

That’s why we’re pivoting from the concept of ‘tribe building’ to introduce ‘pack growth’ as the new paradigm for community-focused entrepreneurship. This isn’t just a semantic change; it’s an ideological one.

The term ‘pack’ draws inspiration from wolf packs, a symbol of unity, instinctual intelligence, and cooperation. Unlike tribes, which can be disparate and focus only on shared interests, a pack is a dynamic, adaptable unit that works together for the collective good. In a pack, every member has a role, and the well-being of the individual is directly related to the well-being of the group.

Growing a Pack is the evolution of tribe building. This is a deep dive into how this shift in terminology isn’t just a renaming ceremony but a full-blown transformation that can drive wild success in a manner that is ethical, responsible, and inclusive.

Welcome to the future of community building—where words matter, values are at the forefront, and the pack paves the way for the collective success of all its members. 

Welcome to Rebel Wolf’s guide to growing your pack…

Why ‘Pack’ Over ‘Tribe’? Our Ethos Explained

In the entrepreneurial world, the term ‘tribe building’ has long been synonymous with creating a community bound by mutual interests. However, as we progress into a more enlightened era where the nuances of words matter, it’s crucial to choose language that both represents our values and avoids unintended cultural implications. This brings us to the term ‘pack’, a word that not only suggests community and collaboration but also incorporates a value-driven ethos at its very core.

Community Beyond Shared Interests

A ‘tribe’ often indicates a community forged through shared interests, beliefs, or goals. In many respects, this is similar to the idea behind terminology in the entrepreneurial sphere like ‘tribe leader’, ‘building a tribe’ and even ‘community building’. However, where a tribe may be a loose association of like-minded individuals, a pack is more. In a pack, every individual plays a specific role contributing to the collective good.

Fearlessness: The Bedrock Of Our Pack

At Rebel Wolf, fearlessness isn’t just an adjective; it’s a way of life. Wolves in the wild don’t hesitate; they take the risks that lead to rewards. This is the entrepreneurial spirit we celebrate—bold moves, calculated risks, and the audacity to dream big. It’s part of our philosophy. 

Authenticity And Transparency: No Masks Allowed

One of the fundamental pillars of our pack is authenticity. In a world cluttered with inauthentic marketing messages, transparency is growing more important each year. The world, sadly, is increasingly jaded, with so many brands falling to scandal and stories emerging about poor behaviour, toxic cultures, and shady dealings. Your pack, your community, should know the real you, and vice versa. 

This kind of openness is what makes a pack strong and resilient. When you’re making community a part of your business growth strategy, you need to ensure it’s sustainable, and inauthentic marketing is the antithesis of a sustainable business plan. 

Innovation: The Soul Of Our Pack

In any pack, innovation is key. Wolves adapt to their environment, learn from their experiences, and innovate to survive and thrive. As entrepreneurs, we should take a leaf from their book. Innovation is the lifeblood of any successful enterprise and a cornerstone in the ethos of Rebel Wolf.

Yes, it’s a cool name, but we chose it for a reason.

A Community Driven By Values

Your pack is more than just a tribe or a community; it’s a value-driven entity that encourages every one of its members towards wild success. When we talk about how to build a tribe, what we’re really referring to is the act of gathering people around shared interests. However, when we discuss growing your pack, we’re looking at something far more holistic. We’re talking about a form of tribe building that takes into account ethical considerations, a shared vision, and a collective drive towards success.

In sum, a Rebel Wolf pack elevates the concept of a tribe into something far richer and more meaningful. With its focus on fearlessness, authenticity, innovation, and transparency, our pack isn’t just about community; it’s about a collective drive toward value-based action and the creation of wild success.

Opting for the term ‘pack’ over ‘tribe’ doesn’t just make linguistic sense—it makes ethical sense. It’s a reflection of our evolved understanding of community, collaboration, and entrepreneurship. 

Being The Alpha: Your Role In Pack Building Vs. Tribe Building

The notion of an all-powerful Alpha dictating the moves of subordinates is as outdated as the term ‘tribe building.’ A more enlightened understanding of wolf packs shows that the Alpha’s role isn’t one of unilateral authority, but rather a leader among equals. Your role in a pack extends beyond merely setting the tone; it includes guiding, protecting, and aiding each member in realising their unique potential.

How to Lead Like an Alpha, Not Just a Tribe Leader

Clear Communication: While tribes may be kept informed, packs are aligned. Consistent updates about your vision and purpose keep everyone on the same page.

Lead By Example: Alphas don’t just inspire; they set the stage for authenticity and transparency, enabling pack members to follow suit.

Shared Leadership: A pack rejects the top-down leadership typical of tribes, embracing a collaborative approach where responsibilities and leadership opportunities are shared.

How to Grow Your Pack: Attracting Your Tribe, Evolved

Share Your Story: Traditional tribe building starts with a compelling narrative. Growing your pack goes further by weaving core values and principles into your story.

Provide Value: People join tribes based on what you offer, but they stay in packs because of the substantial value you add to their personal and professional lives.

Engage: Engagement is only the beginning in pack dynamics. Here, deeper relationships are nurtured through active listening and responsive actions.

Empowering Your Pack: The Next Step in Tribe Building

Acknowledge Milestones: Achievements are merely noted in a tribe; within a pack, they are celebrated, fostering a deeper sense of belonging and loyalty.

Create Safe Spaces: In contrast to tribes that offer mere belonging, a pack provides a space for personal growth. Open dialogue and vulnerability are keys to true empowerment.

Network Within The Pack: While tribe building often overlooks the potential for internal networking, packs actively encourage members to collaborate, share resources, and contribute to each other’s growth.

By focusing on these principles, you don’t just replace outdated concepts like ‘tribe leader’ and ‘Alpha’; you evolve them. You make room for a kind of leadership that is not just about amassing followers but about nurturing a community united in purpose, diversity, and mutual respect. This is how you grow a pack, and in doing so, discover a richer, more authentic experience than what tribe building could ever offer.

Why I Chose the Name ‘Rebel Wolf’: The Story Behind Our Pack

You might be wondering why the brand is called Rebel Wolf. At its core, the name is an act of defiance against outdated narratives and societal norms that no longer serve us. We’re not the damsels in distress waiting to be saved, nor are we the settlers afraid to venture into the mysterious, dark woods. Rebel Wolf is a nod to those old tales, flipping the script to empower each of us to become the authors of our own stories.

In traditional fairytales, the forest is a place of danger, home to lurking wolves and perilous challenges. But instead of fearing the unknown, at Rebel Wolf we embrace it wholeheartedly. We take the path of the wolf — a path marked by fearlessness, innovation, and soulful integrity. By following this path, we navigate the unpredictable terrain of entrepreneurship in a way that is authentic, transparent, and wildly successful.

The ‘Rebel’ in Rebel Wolf signifies our commitment to challenging the status quo, to questioning old paradigms, and to inventing new ways of achieving success. ‘Wolf,’ on the other hand, embodies our pack mentality: the belief that there’s strength in community and shared values. When you combine these elements, you get a powerful, synergistic force that goes against the grain, transforming the way we think about business, community, and ultimately, ourselves.

So when we talk about growing our pack, we’re not merely assembling a random group of individuals. We’re carefully curating a community of like-minded rebels who share our passion for breaking free from the confines of conventional wisdom. It’s a place where everyone has something valuable to contribute, and where the success of one amplifies the strength of all.

The concept of tribe building has served us well, but as we evolve, our communities must evolve too. Growing your pack embodies the next step in this evolution, retaining the communal aspects of a tribe while adding layers of mutual respect, shared leadership, and a values-driven approach. So come, join us. Embrace your inner Rebel Wolf and discover what it truly means to be part of a pack that values authenticity, transparency, and fearless success above all else.

If you’ve been engaged in tribe building and want to explore how to take it to the next level, you can learn more about growing your pack the Rebel Wolf way (as well as my own entrepreneurial journey and how I was raised by wolves) in my book, Divine Blogging. Just sign up below to start reading for free…