Do you have a Tribe of Maniacs?

Imagine being a fly on the wall in a room with Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and Larry Ellison in their early days.

What kind of conversations would you overhear?
What energy would they generate?

It’s no coincidence that many of history’s most innovative minds ran in the same circles. As Ben Wilson, host of the “How to Take Over the World” podcast, puts it when describing Jobs’ network:

“It just seems like such a freak coincidence. And then you start to think about who else he knows and is in his inner circle. You know, Steve Wozniak, who turns out to be one of the smartest computer engineers of all time, he’s friendly with Bill Hewlett, who’s the CEO of Hewlett-Packard, and Al Alcorn, chief engineer at Atari.

And he would go on to become friends with the founder of Oracle, Larry Ellison, another billionaire, the founder of Intel, Andy Grove. He’d have a personal relationship with Bill Gates. And you just think about this. And you guys, man, there’s no way that this is a coincidence that all of these guys knew each other.”

Success leaves clues, and one of the biggest is this: who you choose to spend your time with shapes your own trajectory.

Ben calls this your “Tribe of Maniacs.” These aren’t necessarily people who are literally “maniacal,” but they are passionate, driven, and maybe a little bit unconventional in their pursuit of goals. They’re the ones who inspire you to think bigger and reach further.

Think of Steve Jobs with Wozniak, Bill Hewlett, and the founders of Oracle and Intel. Or. Even the legendary Gertrude Stein hosted a salon where Picasso, Hemingway, and F. Scott Fitzgerald exchanged ideas.

Why Your Tribe Matters

You’ve probably heard the saying, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” But why is this true?

• Accountability: Surrounding yourself with ambitious people keeps you motivated and on track.
• Inspiration: Their passion and drive fuel your own.
• Diverse Perspectives: Different viewpoints spark new ideas and solutions.
• Opportunities: Your tribe can open doors to collaborations, partnerships, and new ventures.

Finding Your Tribe (Beyond the Usual Advice)

You’ve probably heard the standard advice: network, join groups, and attend conferences. But sometimes, that feels overwhelming or even a bit…generic. So, let’s get more specific.

• Dive deep into online communities. Don’t just lurk — actively participate, share your insights, and connect with those who resonate with your ideas.
• Explore co-working spaces. These spaces often foster a sense of community and provide opportunities to collaborate with others in your field.
• Create a mastermind group. Hand-pick a small group of individuals who are equally driven and committed to growth. Meet regularly (virtually or in person) to share challenges, brainstorm solutions, and hold each other accountable.

One of the most effective things I’ve done is join a small, focused WhatsApp group with three people from completely different fields.

We use it to bounce ideas off each other, share resources, and offer diverse perspectives. This cross-pollination of ideas has been incredibly valuable.

Don’t Wait, Create

If you can’t find your tribe, don’t be afraid to create it. Start a meetup group, host workshops, or simply reach out to people you admire. The key is to be proactive and experiment.

Not every group or community will be the perfect fit, but by putting yourself out there and exploring different options, you’ll eventually find your “tribe of maniacs” — those who will challenge you, support you, and inspire you to achieve your wildest dreams.

For more tips on marketing strategy and design follow me on Twitter @MentalWeapons