Alpha Leadership Done Right
What does it mean to be a strong leader?
There’s a lot of talk these days—spurred on by an election cycle that included one of these presumed types—about the “alpha male” and their desirability in leadership.
We want strong leaders. Alpha leaders.
Being alpha connotes power, confidence, control. Dominance. Assertive—maybe even aggressive—leadership.
But we’ve got it all wrong.
I recently finished listening to Caste, by Isabel Wilkerson (a little late to the party, but wow … what a great read and especially relevant in helping explain recent events).
In chapter 13, Wilkerson describes how wolf pack concepts have permeated our culture, but have been distorted. She shares that:
“The main characteristic of an alpha male wolf is a quiet confidence, quiet self-assurance. You know what’s best for your pack. You lead by example. You’re very comfortable with that. You have a calming effect.” - Richard McIntryre, wolf behavior researcher (cited in Caste)
True alphas are not aggressive. They’re not loud. They do not need to raise their voices or exert their dominance by bullying or attacking others.
Rather, they exhibit calm leadership that engenders confidence, or as Wilkerson puts it, “A true alpha wields quiet power judiciously apportioned.”
Take a look around and ask yourself …
… which leaders are trying to be alphas through control, and who are the true alphas, wielding quiet power judiciously?
I’ll bet you can find more of the former than the latter.
We could do with a few less conventional alpha leaders in our workplaces (and in our government)—and a lot more real alpha leadership.
We need leaders who quietly instill confidence in their teams. Ones who lead by example. And those who bring true empathy and understanding into the workplace.
Let’s all strive to be alpha leaders—the right kind.
