An Atribal Mindset (Episode 142)
Interview with Ling Hai, President for Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East & Africa at Mastercard.
The sense of belonging to a tribe is deeply human. It is the force that fosters our sense of belonging and connection. In many ways, our urge to be a part of a tribe is what makes us human, and it has been a key factor in our species’ success.
However, the ability to see beyond the tribe is a skill that can make us even more successful and, arguably, even more human.
Let’s explore the concept of an “Atribal mindset.”
The word “Atribal” is a newly coined term, but if it were to be included in a dictionary, it would be defined as follows:
Atribal (adj.)
Definition: Exhibiting a perspective or mindset that transcends traditional tribal affiliations and loyalties, enabling an inclusive and universal appreciation of humanity. Characterized by the ability to understand, empathize with, and value individuals beyond one’s own cultural, social, or ethnic group.
Usage: “Her atribal approach to international diplomacy allowed her to foster cooperation and understanding among diverse nations, emphasizing our shared human values over cultural differences.”
Positive Connotation: Highlighting an open-minded and empathetic view of the world, where connections are made based on common humanity rather than divisive tribal identities. Encourages unity, mutual respect, and a broader, more inclusive sense of community.
A tribal mindset helps us create social divisions within society, consisting of families or communities linked by social, economic, religious, or blood ties, with a common culture.
An atribal mindset helps us see past those divisions.
I had the privilege of discussing the advantages of an atribal mindset with Ling Hai, President for Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East & Africa at Mastercard. Ling Hai was born and raised in China, completed his formative university years in the USA, has worked in China and Southeast Asia, and is now based in the UK. In his current role, he interacts with people from all over the world. Ling Hai has been with Mastercard for about 15 years and has a strong affinity to the “tribe” that is Mastercard, but he, as all of us, also belongs to other “tribes” as well.
His international career and life experiences have schooled him in developing an atribal mindset. Being able to think both as a Chinese and as an American, but -crucially – also being able to think as neither a Chinese nor an American, was instrumental when he was part of the team that secured a banking license for Mastercard in China.
I asked Ling Hai for three tips on how to acquire an atribal mindset. He provided these three suggestions:
Develop Your Ability to Observe Commonalities
Ling Hai recently returned from a trip to Romania, where he visited a daycare center for Ukrainian refugee mothers sponsored by Mastercard. He was struck by the universal need for support for single parents. This need is not specific to Ukrainian refugee mothers in Romania; it is a universal need for parents everywhere. Learn to look for needs that we share in common.
Celebrate Differences
Ling Hai emphasized the importance of diversity of thought. At Mastercard, one of their core pillars is “candor”—the quality of being open, honest, and frank. Candor is crucial in the fast-paced world of technological innovation. It works best in an environment where people of different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences share their opinions. (After all what is the need for candor in a group where everyone thinks the same?) Diversity of thought and perspectives should not just be encouraged; it should be celebrated!
Take the Approach of Un-understanding
Ling Hai noted, “The skill – yes, it is a skill – to be able to say ‘I do not know the answer’ is powerful. It sends you on a path of exploration and discovery. It’s not about being ignorant or not trusting your skills. It’s about taking a curious approach, knowing that you only have one perspective based on your experience and expertise, and that there are always other ways of looking at the same problem. To find those other ways, you need to train yourself to feel that you do NOT know THE answer. Only then can you be open to see the other answers.”
The mindset should be, “I need to learn” rather than “I know the answer.”
In Summary:
Developing an atribal mindset is not about losing the advantages that come from belonging to a tribe. It is about being able to see beyond the tribe. Embracing an atribal mindset allows us to appreciate our shared humanity, fostering unity and mutual respect in a diverse world.
Assignment:
Identify what “tribes” you are part of, what “mental blindfolds” belonging to these tribes might have created, and identify what you could do to decrease how those mental blindfolds might obscure your perspective.
27
Sep