Getty Images/ Rob Kim
Each month, Jefferies CEO Rich Handler, who is also the head of its parent company, Leucadia, sends out a letter to his bankers, traders, and analysts with some words of encouragement.
In the latest letter, Handler wrote about an off-site leadership program the firm held where they were addressed by retired Navy Seal officer and former NFL football player, Clint Bruce.
Handler wrote that during Bruce's talk, they were taught the importance of thinking like a tribe as opposed to just a team.
"A team is a collection of people all working for a common goal. A tribe is a collection of people who know why they are together, are passionate about each other, bleed for a unified common cause and trust each other implicitly," Handler wrote.
Here's the full letter:
The Difference Between Being a Team and Being a Tribe
To The Jefferies Tribe:
At our recent Jefferies Leadership Off-Site, we were honored to be addressed by Clint Bruce, a retired officer of U.S. Navy SEAL Team 5, who also was Captain of his U.S. Naval Academy football team and played in the NFL for the Baltimore Ravens and New Orleans Saints. Clint’s ideas about “pursuing elite” are based on his own experience as a SEAL, athlete, businessman, father, husband and great human being.
One of the points that Clint made that resonated the most with virtually every one of us in attendance was the distinction between being a “team” and being a “tribe.” A team is a collection of people all working for a common goal. A tribe is a collection of people who know why they are together, are passionate about each other, bleed for a unified common cause and trust each other implicitly. Tribes are fearless, selfless, fully committed and tireless in pursuing their unified goals. Tribes are lean, efficient, move quickly and quietly, and get the job done. Tribes care about each other’s well-being and collective success and realize there is no such thing as a zero sum game. Tribes pick each other up every time. Tribes are always honest with each other, and can always give and take constructive criticism. Tribes never have false agendas and speak plainly, openly and with integrity in purpose.
Clint went on to say that every time his “tribe” went up against a larger “team,” his tribe always won. It was also a lot more personally rewarding, noble, and fun. We all have more work ahead of ourselves to be the best tribe we can be, but there is no question that we at Jefferies are far more than just a team.
We are both proud members of the Jefferies Tribe and will work tirelessly with all of you to make our Tribe the best we can be.
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