The Mark Of An Alpha Male

The wolves of Yellowstone have some surprising lessons on being a man.

- Carl Safina

IF YOU WATCH WOLVES, IT’S HARD TO escape the conclusion that perhaps no two species are more alike behaviourally than wolves and humans. Living as we do in families, we can easily recognize the social structures and status quests in wolf packs. No wonder Native Americans recognized in wolves a sibling spirit. And no wonder human males often face pressure to measure up as ‘alpha’ males—to ‘wolf up’, as it were. The term alpha male connotes a man who at every moment demonstrates that he’s in control in the home and who, away from home, can become snarling and aggressive.

This alpha male stereotype comes from a misunderstanding of the real thing.

By observing wolves in free-living packs in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA. I’ve seen that the leadership of the ranking male is not forced,not domineering and not aggressive to those on his team.

“The main characteristic of an alpha male wolf,” the veteran wolf researcher Rick McIntyre told me as we were watching grey wolves, “is a quiet confidence, quiet self-assurance. You know what you need to do; you know what’s best for your pack. You lead by example. You’re very comfortable with that. You have a calming effect.”