Top Dog: A Look at the Alpha Model

The dogs have it. Living together in packs, a hierarchy exists that ensures the cohesiveness, safety, and continuation of the group. The pack looks for the guidance of their leader, elders, and so on. Each step of the hierarchy has the protective gaze falling upon those above and below. The leader, Alpha Male, looks out for the pack: He's the Top Dog.

As I'm out walking the dogs, hanging out under the shade trees, I assume the alpha role. This brings a sense of safety and security to the dogs - two sisters - who are then able to relax, be more playful, and also obedient to my commands. Somtimes, I'll even grunt or yip like a dog to gather their attention back to me. They pay attention to my every move, follow and watch me as I wander, leaving them loose and able to follow - which they do.

It was while observing and enjoying the company and time spent with these two Boxers that I began to ponder the concept of the Alpha Male in our society. Reflecting back on conversations with others, what we see via channels of entertainment, repeated stories in the news media, in the workplace, out on the streets, and in the bars, I felt there exists a distorted and unhealthy belief and/or perspective as to what constitutes an Alpha Male.

The most common social comment is the choice and attraction to the typical bad-boy. In the bars it is typically the hot-shot with the deep pockets, power, and prestige - at the very least in his own mind - and he exudes a sense of power, or disinterest, and often looks about with a predatory stare, particularly when his eyes fall upon an object - person - of his desire. Walking through a gay neighborhood, even the alpha male stereotype might find himself the object of desire under the same predatory stare; I've experienced it myself.

Yet, while I'm with the dogs, considering the responsibility that comes with being the Alpha, I question whether our perception of these alpha characters in our society has become quite distorted, even corrupted from its purest intent. If the Alpha Male is the typical leader, the one with money, status, position, power, and prestige, then I wonder, when looking at the end result and their actions leading to the end results, why there is so much corruption and abuse? Of course, I'm thinking of business, politics, the bluttony for oil, the furthering of one's own agenda at the expense of others in society, and so on. I'm confidnet you see what I mean as we have all witnessed so much in our own brief history with oil, Enron, Iraq, sweat shops, devastated wildlife, environment, poverty and homelessness in our own backyards, and so on, and so forth.

What, then, is the the better model, or more accurate perspective on being an Alpha? While looking to nature, many in society seem to borrow the adage 'survival of the fittest' and use it as their excuse for running amok through society to further their gains regardless of the damage to others, the environment, or even to themselves. I think this single-minded approach is missing the mark. In the wild, the survival of the fittest keeps the food-chain working smoothly, a food-chain that we are no longer a part of other than to consume with very little awareness of the impact we have. In the pack, the survival of the fittest simply means that when an old dog's time has come, they walk away or are left behind to ensure the safety of the whole. Ancient human tribal traditions observed similar practices.

The Top Dog in the pack fights for the position. This fight is not one of one-upmanship, it is a natural order to ensure that the fittest animal is able to lead the group. The challenge to the Top Dog continually tests and keeps him sharp. And the packs knowing responds with challenges if a weakness in the Alpha is felt. The pack also is committed to their survival and having the best Alpha in position. Along with the position comes some perks, naturally. However, that Top Dog is on the lookout and is willing to die to defend the lowest of the low in the pack. I can't say this is true of most human Alphas.

As a human being, I see the Alpha role quite differently. We're not the animals without all the games. We're the animals with all the games - social games. We have a level of intelligence, communication, and social structure that defies almost everything in the animal kingdom. Chances are, our social structures tend to be more cancerous than useful. Were an authentic Alpha to arrive on the scene, the fitness of mind - intelligent - and the strength of heart - compassion - would be the driving force that would see the rise to the top. It is the combination of intelligence and wisdom at work while providing for the vision of the whole of society rather than simply glorifying his or her own goals.

Responsibility is an important word that was introduced earlier. To be an Alpha isn't all about being Top Dog. I believe it is more accurately about being the most capable of caring for the well-being of the pack - of others. Logic even supports the idea: Without the pack, the Alpha isn't Top Dog, he's just another Stray Mutt. So why destroy the foundation of what provides the structure to become Top Dog? A good question for the wannabe Top Dog's running rampant in our society today. Being a Top Dog does come with a lot of perks and benefits. Nurturing that position and the relationship of self to personal and communal goals is key to maintaining the healthy balance that solidifies the whole of all, rather than glorifyuing one's own gains.

So I say 'go for it!' Be the Top Dog. Just remember that Top Dog looks out for the pack and that pack will honor and respect your role. Then you won't have to worry about just becoming another Stray Mutt.

April 6, 1919 India Came to a Stand-still

On April 6th, 1919, Gandhi's influence witnessed a country of 350 million people, without the benefit of internet communications act in a unified and peaceful way that saw India stand still. Given the nature of the governance in that time, it was called A Day of Prayer and Fasting. This was part of Gandhi's peaceful resistance movement to regain rightful ownership of India back to the Indian people.

Many others have been inspired by Gandhi, one of whom was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who is remembered today as well.

On another personal blog, as a result of blog-surfing, media reports, and the many travesties we've become familiar with around corporate abuses, political abuses, poor leadership, custodianship, and stewardship, I posted an entry suggesting a world-wide general strike. I'm not sure how serious I was about it when I initially posted it. It was sudden, half-baked, and without a clear agenda for any immediate action by any particular individual or party. Intriguingly, it has garnered considerable attention and support as people that are aware do see the value in awakening their fellow man.

As I spoke to a local friend of mine tonight, he made it perfectly clear to me that a focus seemed to be missing. I suppose that has something to do with the subversive nature of how I teach. I'm only just seeing this as I write and recall other previous conversations around my intent and desire to change the world. You see, while leaders do need to change, they are not the ones who will make any lasting impact. It is you and I - the people.

Were there to be a Worldwide General Strike, people everywhere would begin to recognize the power we have when we act in a unified and peaceful way to let our leaders know when they're doing a good job, and when they're not doing a good job. As I said, I've watched blog after blog, with all their complaints, and see little action. In conversations within my own personal blogging community, it has been expressed that many feel overwhelmed and powerless to bring about any lasting or meaningful change.

This is because we act only in small splinter groups, and depending upon our current state of affairs. We have been so complacent as people in a society that has grown fat and lazy, being spoon-fed politics by the media, spoiled by materialistic desires and entertainment, and find ourselves puzzled by the dullness we experience. Broad-brush, I know, but even I, without a TV, do feel this influence on many levels - in the supermarket, within business culture, having a conversation at the coffee shop. It has become so pervasive, we don't even realize that the wool is being pulled over our eyes.

We all want the same thing: Love, Life, and Happiness.

How that will look for each person will be different and so will our preference for our livelihood. In order to have the best opportunity to achieve these things, we need three main things from leaders in society, and leaders in business:

• Better Leadership: understand that a leader is a servant to ALL equally.
• Better Stewardship: manage and care for the resources of finance and people with greater responsibility and fairness for ALL equally.
• Better Custodianship: clean up our act so that our planet's health, our health, and our future generation's health will stand a chance.

So, were there to be a successful Worldwide General Strike, as proposed for January 31st, 2007, the message to these leaders would be that this is what you want. However, this is not the main purpose of the general strike either.

People, you need to also wake up and become more aware of your choices. You need to become more conscious about the power you have individually and collectively. You need to become more responsible for the impact you have for, or against the greater good.

This isn't an initiative to wake up the leaders though, this is a call to wake up the people. You put the leaders there and you're the ones who, even in your complaints, tolerate the status quo: War, Poverty, Homelessness, Pollution, etc. --- and all their accompanying side-effects on environment, social, mental, emotional, and physical health in so many different degrees and ways.

You want to make change happen? Be that change.

I'm a professional coach committed to being change. I start with my heart and I've done a lot of very difficult personal work over the past ten years. I've also encountered a lot of difficult personal, professional, and societal obstacles along the way. It's a nasty minefield for the novice and many give up along the way. I mentor young, middle-age, and older folks too. I invite you to inquire into my coaching and being challenged right down to the core of your heart to grow and challenge your perceptions and beliefs.

We're not looking for overnight change, we know that this will be the same task of patience exercised by farmer's at the beginning of every season.