ALPHA ATHLETES - The Sphinx Magazine

members to be supportive of other
team members and help them in their
difficulties. Since teams are required
for success in all endeavors, we must
develop the skills needed, as the geese
do, to be effective in our environment.
Another animal from which we
can learn is the white-tailed deer—
the number one big game mammal in
the United States. White-tailed deer
spend a lot of time maintaining awareness
of their surroundings. Because
they are color-blind, they focus on the
slightest movement. “For them, environmental
awareness is critical for
survival and is a life-or-death issue. We
should be just as diligent in observing
our environment….,” Brother
Boswell says (p. l46).
Brother Boswell had a foreign
assignment in which he had to change
company financial reporting practices.
In the assignment, he had to recognize
cultural differences and adjust to them.
“Aggressive patience” is what we
learn from crocodiles. They lie
motionless for most of the day; however,
when it becomes necessary to
pursue a prey, they can be aggressive.
So humans must learn to maintain a
level of aggressiveness on some specific
issues and positive patience on
other issues. We should be aggressive
in advocating ourselves but also be
patient and recognize that success
may not occur as quickly as one
would like.
Brother Boswell cites the case
of an employee who thought he
deserved a promotion. However,
Brother Boswell thought the
employee was not ready. The
employee disagreed and quit the
position on the spot. The employee
lacked the patience to wait and lost
out. Had he practiced more
patience, he could have eventually
obtained the promotion.
There are many opportunities
for aggression and patience. One
has to be discerning to know when
to use one or the other. “Crocodiles
have perfected the practice of
knowing when to be aggressive and
when to be patient” (p. l56).
Communication is important and
whales are cited as superb communicators.
Their repertoire is complex
and their range covers as many as
seven octaves. Whales also have distinct
dialects and their sounds can be
detected for many miles.
Often communication is thought
of as verbal skills only; however, developing
listening skills and mastering
nonverbal actions are also necessary.
Communication is absolutely essential
for individual success. Many individuals
get so involved in their daily activities
that they forget about the importance
of upward, across and downward
communication. We must communicate
across all levels of an organization,
including upper management,
peers and subordinates.
Non-verbal communication is also
essential. Facial expressions, body
position, and attentiveness all communicate
as directly as words. Brother
Boswell recommends that a minimum
of l8-to-20 inches in personal space
around the entire body of the communication
partner be observed.
Focusing on verbal skills alone
will not ensure effective communication.
Like whales, we must employ
communication skills that are relevant
to our environment.
It has been said that dogs are
“man’s best friend”. Dogs love, return
love freely and openly display affection,
joy, and disappointment. Whether they
have integrity seems debatable; however,
they do seem to show many qualities
observed in humans, according to
Brother Boswell.
In an organizational environment
as well as in personal life, integrity is
important. It is imperative that we
maintain strong ethical behavior and
personal integrity at all costs.
Brother Boswell recalls an incidence
in which the company he
worked for was going to be sold. The
employees were naturally upset.
However, the situation changed and
the company was not sold. Later a
clandestine offer was made to sell the
company. Since Brother Boswell had
told the employees the company
would not be sold, he could not go
along with the clandestine offer. He
remained loyal to what he had told the
employees. He says, “The point to
remember is that maintaining your
personal integrity is essential for success
in your personal and professional
career” (p. l85).
Alpha wolves exhibit significant
qualities of leadership over the wolf
pack. Leadership is important and
there are many styles of leadership. A
leader must know his leadership
style. Among the styles of leadership
are these characteristics: being
demanding, respected, moral and
principled. While effective leaders
have different styles, they share similar
qualities. These leaders are: (1)
communicators; (2) listeners; (3)
visionaries; (4) motivators; (5) team
players; (6) mountain viewers; (7)
self starters; (8) competent; (9)
focused; (10) empathetic; (11)
responsible; (12) results oriented;
(13) strong in character; (14) positive;
(15) adaptable/flexible; and
(16) committed.
BOOK REVIEW
Concentrating only in developing
effective leadership styles can be
self-defeating. Instead, a manager or
leader must incorporate appropriate
leadership style into his persona
and focus on individual strengths.
This is the approach alpha wolves
practice.
Prairie dogs are social rodents
that live in well-organized towns
consisting of mounds and earthen
fortifications. Yet, they also maintain
a balanced social life. If we
take a lesson from prairie dogs,
we must ensure that all of our time
is not spent in pursuing work
goals. We should include time for
friends, social activities, extra-curricular
activities, exercise, travel,
and rest.
Like prairie dogs, we should
nourish our relationships with others.
It is important to maintain
healthy lifestyles while pursuing our
career goals. We should also
include the time to share with others
some of what we have been
given. We must maintain balance in
our lives just as prairie dogs maintain
balance in their lives. This balance
enhances relationships, provides
for personal needs, improves
safety, and enables survival of the
group. If humans do the same, performance
and quality of life will be
enhanced.
Brother Boswell has studied 14
animals and draws parallels with the
lives of persons in the business
world. The book, Success By
Instinct, is a guide for persons seeking
advice on how to succeed. The
principles that the author enunciates
will prove to be beneficial rules for
success in the business world and
personal living.
The Sphinx: www.APA1906.net Fall • Winter 2008
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