I was having a conversation with a friend the other day. We were talking about an event we were both attending for our daughters, at their college the following week.

The school is well-known in Canada for how well it instills a deep sense of community and engagement with their students. It has a reputation as a party school, but it’s much more than that, as I’ve learned over the past 3+ years.

Neither of us attended this school.

Him: “It’ll be fun… I’m not so sure I like the cult part though (smiling)”

Me: “That’s because we’re not part of the cult!”

Him: (laughing) “True enough”

For most people, hearing “cult” evokes some sort of a reaction. There’s a negative connotation for sure.

No wonder… here’s the top Merriam Webster definition:

Cult: A group (as an organization or religious sect) with tenets and practices regarded as coercive, insular, and dangerous

So there’s that.

But here’s its next entry:

Cult: Great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (such as a film or book)

• The object of such devotion
• A group of people characterized by such devotion

Hmmm…

Star Wars fans?

Sports team devotees of Man U, the Habs, the Yankees, or the Green Bay Packers?

Swifties?

Are these cults?

Maybe there isn’t much wrong with being part of a cult, or leading one, as long as the intentions are positive.

What if we said tribe? Is that better?

Tribe has become ubiquitous in leadership guides. It’s used all the time.

Seth Godin’s book “Tribes” defines it as “any group of people, large or small, who are connected to one another, a leader, and an idea.”

As it turns out, maybe we should all be part of a cult or tribe.

The college I mentioned earlier is St Francis Xavier University.

St FX for short (or just “X”).

It’s a relatively small Canadian university of 5,000, mostly undergraduate students, nestled in rural Nova Scotia in a town of 4,500 when school isn’t in session.

Yet their “X-ring” is said to be the 3rd most recognizable ring in the world, behind those worn by Popes and Super Bowl champions.

This week was X-ring day at St FX, and I had the privilege of watching* my daughter receive her X-ring, precisely 1,188 days after she arrived on campus.

I was so impressed by how “X” and its leaders celebrate this tradition and, more importantly, their students. I had goose bumps watching the intro videos. I can only imagine how the students felt awaiting their big moment.

My daughter said she was shaking with anticipation as her time to stand up came.

Receiving the “X-ring” is a symbol of becoming a permanent member of this community.

“X” has something special going on.

I doubt I’m the only parent reflecting today, thinking how thrilled I am that my kid is part of this amazing cult (or tribe if you prefer). I’m so proud of my daughter.

Everyone should be so lucky.

Have a great weekend!

*parents watch a live stream because the only ones allowed in the ceremony itself are the students receiving their X-ring and special guests and faculty (as long as they, too, have an X-ring of their own) 😉