Challenging the Alpha

I woke up one morning thinking about wolves and realized that wolf packs function as families. Everyone has a role, and if you act within the parameters of your role, the whole pack succeeds, and when that falls apart, so does the pack.

Jodi Picoult

We constantly hear some guy calling himself the Top Dog or the Alpha Male, as if it were some sort of badge proving his superiority, where others live just to serve him. To me, any man who uses this term is simply exposing his ignorance and pettiness. He does not understand what it means to be part of a Pack and much less the role of the leader within the Pack.

The role of the Alpha is not to be served by the Pack, but to serve the Pack. He is given first pick of whatever is hunted because the Pack needs him to be strong. He is the one at the front of a hunt, and the pack’s success or failure is determined by his actions. He leads, not by orders, but by example.

Alpha is not a position of convenience. The Pack’s livelihood depends on the Alpha’s actions. He doesn’t look for excuses, or blames his pack mates. And if he is not successful in his service to the pack, it is the packs responsibility to remove him, forcefully. 

So every time we hear this petty, self-centered man claiming to be an Alpha, we see how little he understands the very nature of the word. These guys lack the understanding of the responsibility, honor, and extended accountability that comes from this role.

And that is where man must become a Gentle Man. He must never view himself as superior to anyone; just hold himself to superior expectations. He must treat all people with respect at all times. For one, because you never know when you'll need their help. And two, because it's a sign you respect people, which all great men do.

He must lead without leading. Those around him should know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves. He must look at the nobility within everyone, and he must become a Lion or a Wolf, who live, fight, and die for their family.

The Alpha doesn’t need to say it with words, but by how he inspires others to become more. His role is not to be served, but to serve. Then, and only then, will people will understand what it means to be an Alpha.