Taming the Lone Wolf

There are many types of wolves in the wild, but the average wolf is a pack animal. This natural tendency for wolves to group themselves into an 8-12 wolf team, or pack, raises their chances of survival and success against the hostilities in nature. As a social organism, this grouping into packs is their natural environment. However, from time to time, there are exceptions. These exceptions are called lone wolves.

A lone wolf lives independently of other wolves in the pack. Typically, this male has been driven from the pack by comingWolf in conflict with other alpha males, where each male must exert his ego. However, there are also times when a male never finds his place in a pack, naturally the lifetime role of a male, and instead follows the lead of the female wolves, who leave their pack early in life.

The path of this lone wolf is a dangerous one, as it is easy prey for other animals. It's ability to hunt is also greatly compromised. This lone wolf can no longer hunt for the big game - as it no longer has the pack to attack from multiple angles. It must be satisfied with the rare, smaller game. It is a quiet life of desperation.

Occasionally, a particularly strong member of the pack, the Heroic Wolf, when seeing the struggle and pain of a lone wolf, may go back for him. For the Heroic Wolf, this can be a dangerous but rewarding endeavor. The motivation for the Heroic Wolf can be multifold. First, the satisfaction of being able to look into the eyes of the lone wolf, seeing his pain, and being able to do something about it. Next, the strengthening of the pack and it's ability to go after even bigger game. And, having the loyalty and respect of that lone wolf, for whom he risked his position of strength.

Going back for the lone wolf is a risk, and must be done well, for the Heroic Wolf to succeed, and not risk danger himself.

  1. When approaching a lone wolf, the Heroic Wolf must show strength, but not the willingness to attack. The lone wolf will recognize the strength that comes from being in a pack, but any perceived attack will force the lone wolf to put up it's defences, and withdraw. Being strong and showing some vulnerability is the best way for the Heroic Wolf to proceed.
  2. The Heroic Wolf cannot approach the lone wolf head on. The lone wolf will only lower his defences when he can stand beside the Heroic Wolf, and they can look out at the danger together, from the lone wolf's perspective. The Heroic Wolf must be willing to learn from the lone wolf, the dangers he faces, so he can stand beside him
  3. Next, the lone wolf must see the value of the pack life. Allowing him to have a few morsels of what the pack has successfully gained is a good start for the Heroic Wolf. This will solve the lone wolf's immediate hunger, and demonstrate that there is much to be gained by being in a pack. Offering some of these prizes from living the pack life may be enough for the lone wolf to stir up those natural tendencies of being a pack animal, which may have him engage in the process.
  4. Ultimately, when he stands, side-by-side, in a pack of his own and can proudly know himself as as part of the wolf pack will be the step which will reignite that inner drive to be who he really is.

A pack member achieves the highest level of being part of a pack when he becomes a Heroic Wolf. It is a is a natural progression and a necessary step for this type of pack animal to gain the respect and admiration needed to lead the pack as the alpha male. Just as the lone wolf must have the courage to allow the Heroic Wolf to stand beside him, the pack member must have the courage to take on being the Heroic Wolf.

Gary Menezes, 2017-04-17 | Posted in Team