Yesterday, our family, along with Billy Tisko and his family went to the Zoo in Panama City Beach as part of my daughter Cadence’s 7th birthday. The place is really amazing with tons of animals including lions, tigers, and bears…oh my! Yep, that was a cheap shot a humor, but they really did have all those things.
One of the shows we went to was about Wolves. They brought out two Wolves, Montana and Dakota. Dakota was much bigger than Dakota, walked with a different walk, sat in the middle of the stage area and kept an eye on things. Montana on the other hand was smaller, still big by my standards, but definitely smaller than Dakota. He was led by his trainer around where everyone was sitting, so we could pet and feel this amazing animal. When they finally took him to the middle of the staging area, he was much more intent on being involved with the people. He was never wild, out of control, or tense, but it was obvious he was different from the much larger Dakota.
The trainer then asked the question, “Which one of these two animals is the alpha male of this pack?” That was a no brainer for me, it had to be Dakota, the bigger, more laid back, observer who had sat in the middle and had complete control. He had “the alpha male” look. I proudly raised my hand that it had to be Dakota. I was quickly informed how wrong my answer was. It was Montana, and as the trainer went on to explain why, an amazing leadership lesson emerged.
He told us that size, strength, or age had anything to do with being the leader of the pack. It was all about ATTITUDE. Montana was able to walk around the room, adapt to each person, handle all the stress, be led by someone else (did you get that one?), all without biting and attacking the others. It was about being able to adapt and adjust to people and their needs. It was not about sitting in the middle of the room, purporting “the look” of leadership while being obviously detached from others. Montana was the alpha male leader because his attitude was in the right place.
Leaders, what does this stir in you? Simply being the big guy in the middle of the room does not always make you the leader. Where is your attitude? Are you able to adapt to circumstances, adjust to different people, without biting or attacking? Gut check time. Now, before you give me the “that’s just how I am wired, so I can’t be that flexible, adaptable, blah blah blah, I can’t be like that, blah blah blah, I don’t have it in me, blah blah blah,” think how many times we challenge others to develop and grow new characteristics. I am not saying you have to be a people person, the life of the party, etc, but we must all be adaptable, and adjust to the moment we are in. Yes, how you are wired will be a difficulty for some, but using it as a crutch will never allow you to develop. You will simply be the big wolf in the middle that stays the same, never with a chance to help others through your gifts.
Be the leader God has called you to be, and never stop striving to be more each day. Never rest on improvement. This world needs you. Which wolf are you?
Grace.
Ben
I have sooooo missed your blogs!!!!!! Soo anointed!!!