The Art of Following to Lead: Wisdom from the Wolf Pack

I often get asked why I use the wolf as my motif. It's a great question, and the answer is a joy to explain. Wolves are a particularly intriguing animal; strong and powerful in their own right, yet thriving best in community and collaboration with others.

There’s plenty about the wolf for us to align with and aspire to, not least the unique way they lead. When moving as a pack, wolves place the weaker, slower or injured at the front, setting a manageable pace. Behind them come strong wolves for protection, followed by the rest of the pack. Then at the very back, alone, is the true pack leader; the Alpha Wolf. This wolf ensures no pack member is left behind and watches the progress of all in his charge. He leads from behind, his steady, reassuring presence felt by all.

This translates to our lives too. Real leaders know when to hang back, how to dip out of the spotlight and they allow their pack breathing room to find their feet and move forward. This works everywhere from friendship groups, workplaces, schools or the family unit. Try it and see!

A true leader gives their pack the space and encouragement to be centred, and the support to do so. There’s great value and power in showing people you believe in them by giving them safe opportunities to try.

This system is the essence of all my work; encouraging people to take their rightful place, to have the confidence to step forward knowing they're supported, and teaching leaders (all of us) to be more wolf. We’re not in this alone; we are better when we help lift each other up. And as Kipling so rightly says in The Jungle Book:

“For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.”

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