What Works: What it means to lead and be the alpha

This morning, my thoughts were consumed by the idea of being the leader, the benevolent king or queen, or the alpha. The word alpha stuck in my head. I thought of the wolves and how an alpha wolf leads the pack, both from the back or the front.

Yes, he snarls when he needs to. But he’s also a supportive animal, making sure the welfare of the whole pack is considered.

The alpha is quiet, but watching, confident and decisive but not in a jarring way.

Have you ever watched a leader “trying” to be a leader versus being one? The energy is very different. There’s an unsettled energy when the “trying” leader comes into the room. Trust is questionable because this leader is erratic. Sometimes they will play the best friend and other times they bite. It’s scary to follow (or really, attempt to follow) a leader like this. The culture it develops is one of secrecy. Mistakes get hidden and found later. Conversations happen behind the scenes as a leader forms within the rank and file to calm the waters.

In essence, by rattling the cage, the position-placed leader becomes powerless. Fewer and fewer people will follow.

"Look over your shoulder now and then to be sure someone's following you." — Henry Gilmer

When I brought this idea up to my community of friends, one of them shared this article about how alpha wolves really behave. Go here for the article.

The pack has a cause. That cause is to find food, water, shelter, or safety. The leader’s purpose is to guide toward the cause. A leader holds the vision and supports the pack in achieving that vision. This leader clears obstacles in the pack’s path. They take decisive action. However, they are not afraid of other’s ideas if it aligns with the cause.

When shared vision exists, things seemingly happen automatically and naturally. The project flows. The mission is accomplished.

“When the effective leader is finished with his work, the people say it happened naturally.” — Lao Tzu
Leadership is not about “shaking things up” or “disruption.” It’s about seeing what is and working within the construct of the team to be a true alpha.

I really think the word “alpha” gets a bad rap. Immediately, amongst my community of friends, it conjured images of forcefulness, meanness, and outright disrespect. Being “alpha” does not mean embracing puffery, ego inflation, or aggrandizing behavior. Alpha means having the confidence to shift your role as the pack needs and the cause requires. That, friends, is true leadership.

Send this to a leader in your life. Comment below. The floor is yours, Carson City.

SAY HELLO AND GET INSPIRED IN PERSON
Diane is giving away a complimentary hour of coaching (any day of the week) with every purchase of a $29/month group coaching subscription. The offer is only good in the month of February. The next group session is February 26 (rescheduled to allow for President’s Day). http://bit.ly/crappertunitylive

Spring into action on your business! Entrepreneur’s Assembly, Carson City chapter meets March 14, 2018 in The Studio at Adams Hub for Innovation and every second Wednesday of each month. Free mastermind group voted Entrepreneur’s Assembly Chapter of the Year 2017. 5:30 p.m.

Motivation Monday returns to Adams Hub for Innovation. Email grow@adamshub.com to schedule two free 30-minute sessions or one free hour.

Need motivation for your team? Customized talks, workshops, and consulting programs are available. Schedule a complimentary consultation at whatworkscoaching.com.

What Works Coaching
Diane Dye Hansen is the Chief Inspiration Officer of What Works Coaching, an individual and organizational coaching and consulting firm based in Carson City, Nevada. She has 20 years of experience working with top corporations, growing businesses, motivated entrepreneurs, and individuals hungry for a fresh start. She is also the creator of DOCS Theory, also known as The Theory of CrappertunityTM, a mindset and change theory which defines the moment crisis creates more opportunity than would have existed without the crisis.

Diane holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Marketing from Cal State San Bernardino and a Masters in Communication Management from the University of Southern California. She is also the Chief Executive Officer of What Works Recruitment, a company which specializes in filling hard-to-fill positions and fitting talent with culture. Her column appears every Monday, and sometimes Tuesday, in Carson Now.