Wolverina on the prowl
Wolf packs have a distinct hierarchy where the alpha sits at the top and power cascades downward, landing at the omega who is the outsider or pariah of the pack. This evolutionary pecking order is all about survival and preserving the strength of the pack. Social anthropologists have hijacked this evolutionary nomenclature to describe different types of personalities denoting leadership qualities used predominantly for men in corporate structures. However, this form of social notation now has a wider scope and no longer confines itself to a single gender, as we witness the rise of the female wolf pack.
Sourcing attributes from physical strength, social relations, intelligence, confidence, and heritable qualities, we each possess a unique set of traits that, when assembled, form a distinct type. Up until recently, for instance, only men made it to the metaphorical top of the tallest tree in the world, that is, the President of the United States. The archetypal alpha male usually inhabited the role of the “Leader of The Free World” but all that has changed as we have witnessed a formidable woman showing her teeth — or fangs as the case may be. This she-wolf has proved to be the ultimate alpha.
While displaying an overlap in certain traits and attributes, an alpha female is inherently different to her male equivalent. And this can be said for all the personality types.
Navigating Leadership Styles: The Distinct Alpha Female
Borrowing from evolutionary language, behavioural scientists have divided human personalities into six different groups where there are subtle but significant differences in traits and characteristics between men and women of the same group. The personality types — alpha, beta, gamma, omega, delta and sigma — ascribed to females have some congruencies with their male counterparts, but it is often in their execution or presentation where notable differences are distinguishable. Hence, a male CEO can have a very different leadership style and approach to a woman, as the wolf female leadership style reveals itself uniquely in practice.
The Fluidity of Leadership and Personality Types
This was evident in the Global Financial Crisis in 2008, which patently showed the alpha male fail spectacularly. In Iceland, for instance, four out of five banks failed. The only one that didn’t fall was run by a woman who took a more collegiate, less risky approach. Hormones such as testosterone, which drive risky behaviour in alpha men, heralded their inevitable doom, whereas the female-run bank relied more on a balanced and temperate strategy, which paid off — literally.
Interestingly, unlike the wolf pack, a pecking order exists, but no personality type is necessarily superior to another when it comes to success, happiness, or how outcomes are viewed in life. One type is not better than the other as there are unique qualities that each type possesses which the other doesn’t. Further, there can be some fluidity in the roles that a woman can adopt based on life experiences, so you can move up or down the chain of female leadership. Additionally, some individuals can possess traits from varying personality types depending on their situation, their perspective and their own personal growth. With that said, there tends to be a natural default position based on ingrained thinking patterns and propensities, so types are only elastic to a point.
Running with wolves: Wolf Female Leadership in action
Understanding your own personality type allows you to handle situations with a sense of self-knowing. For instance, while many would aspire to be an alpha female, who can be charismatic but confrontational, the beta woman is often overlooked as quiet and uninspiring. But this woman can be a canny negotiator as she is an excellent listener.
Similarly, like an alpha, the sigma female strives for perfection. She wants to be the best in everything she does and has an indomitable determination and persistence making any goal attainable. She knows what she wants and isn’t trying to impress anyone. But unlike an alpha, who tends to be an extrovert, the sigma woman can be introverted and tends towards being a loner. She embodies the essence of a maverick and shuns leadership roles. Sigma females avoid crowds and aren’t keen on having an army of fans or friends. However, once they find someone they care about, they are incredibly loyal.
Knowing where you run in the pack can help you to choose the right career or even life partner but, moreover, it can help to enhance better relations with others, while improving self-acceptance and being more comfortable in your own skin. In addition, knowing what you are helps you to accurately identify traits in others, allowing you to handle them with more aplomb and compassion even.
So, which she-wolf are you?
The alpha
When we think of an alpha, it connotes power and control, whether male or female. Like her male counterpart, the alpha woman is confident, assertive, and a born leader. She tends to be extroverted. The alpha woman is charismatic but can be inclusive and a consensus builder, unlike the opposite number who seeks authority. She is self-assured and can be righteous, like alpha role model Kamala Harris, who uses charisma and intelligence as superpowers.
Unlike in the wolf pack, the human alpha female is happy alone or with a gentler partner. Society often sees alpha women as a threat and holds them to a higher standard than men. As a result, clever alpha women adapt, invent, and strategize, becoming shrewd to get things done their way. They keep their cards close to their chest and avoid showing vulnerability. It can be lonely at the top. This makes it hard for others to fully see who she really is.
Some alpha women can be ruthless and mercenary in their approach, seeking to emulate the male alpha’s dominance. This she-wolf can be bloodless and somewhat inhumane, as seen with Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada. This character was loosely based on Anna Wintour, the editor of US Vogue, whose gaze is withering. This version of an alpha may use her sexuality for advantage, but many use fashion as power. Impeccable dress standards are the hallmark of many alpha women, showcasing fashion as their form of power.
The beta
In the wolf pack, the beta is second-in-command. Similarly, in the human sphere, if leadership is the dominant trait of the alpha woman, the beta is accommodating, seeks to promote harmony and tends to go with the flow. Often deemed as passive or compliant, their kindness should not be taken for weakness as they shun people who disrespect them. The beta seeks to avoid conflict and at times will not proffer opinions as resulting confrontation can incite anxiety. They are seen as helpful, inclusive and warm-hearted and make the best of friends.
With that said, their desire for acceptance and approval can make them vulnerable to being exploited. They are excellent bridge-builders in friendships and in any community-based structure. On the flip side, they can be intimidated, which results in them not fully expressing themselves and failing to be seen, which can restrict personal growth.
The gamma
The gamma woman is a true individual and, like the gamma wolf, she knows how to defend her territory. Unlike a 100m glamour track star sprinter, the gamma is more in step with the steady, driven marathon runner. This quiet achiever is independent, has a strong sense of self-worth and, unlike her beta buddy, doesn’t seek approval from anyone. She may not be at the front of the pack, but she knows who she is.
She carefully considers all her choices, from friendship to career, and refuses to settle for less when it comes to a life partner. Her meticulous approach to life reflects in her home, which remains super clean, neat, and organised. Like a marathon runner, she plans for the long game, acting with patience and innate self-confidence, always striving to achieve her personal goals. While not a born leader, she serves as the ultimate motivator, helping others meet their aspirations, which earns her great admiration.
The delta
The delta is the reliable messenger or the connector wolf in the pack. Similarly, the delta woman possesses excellent communication skills and is practical, grounded and realistic. Some theorists argue that deltas are fallen alphas shaped by unfortunate past experiences, which have made them weary and level-headed to the point of being pessimistic. As a result, they become reserved, cautious, and somewhat self-deprecating, using these traits as coping mechanisms.
Due to good fortune eluding them or things not going their way, they become riddled with insecurities and self-conscious, often resiling from social situations and preferring to be homebodies. They nevertheless seek meaningful, loving relationships with those people they can trust and feel comfortable with.
The omega
While Omega may be a Swiss luxury watch brand, in the wolf pack, it’s a label you wouldn’t want. Omega occupies the lowest position and is often deemed the outcast or outlier, eliciting scorn and disrespect. However, this is not the case in the human pack. The female omega is still somewhat of an outsider. Often overlooked, she is bookish, reserved, and deeply sensitive. This does not take away from her sharp intelligence. Despite her smouldering passion, her dreams often remain unrealised or unmanifested in real terms.
Due to their acute shyness, omegas bottle up emotions, leading to explosive outbursts and instability from lack of expression. As in the wolf pack, omegas are often overlooked, which is a loss for both themselves and others. Still waters run deep, and though they live vicariously through books and Netflix, when they bond, it’s for life. She is the unrealised heroine.
The sigma
The sigma is possibly the most enigmatic of all the she-wolves. She does not run with the pack. She is the ultimate lone warrior, seen as a tutor or teacher in the furry stakes, all-seeing, all-knowing. In the human variety, she is a maverick who dances to her own tune, with the same rank as an alpha. She has no desire to operate as an alpha, flying under the radar and flying her own plane.
While not confused with the alpha, they share overlap, both commanding respect because of their confidence and brilliance. A sigma can be an introvert and even subversive, unconventional in her methodology. She can seem unapproachable or aloof. This adds to her intrigue. The sigma is the epitome of self-possession but can also be deeply empathic and emotional. She is loyal, has a strong moral code, and forms strong attachments, which is not as prevalent in the alpha.
When a sigma walks into the room, she brings an aura of mystery. Once engaged, she is entertaining. Curious and clever, she never shows her full hand unless you’re in her inner circle. Unpredictable but always on point, the sigma is a lone wolf ahead of the pack.
Dances with wolves: how any woman can embody Wolf Female Leadership
Whichever she-wolf you embody, each personality type comes with its own strengths and weaknesses. This affects the relationships they form. No one can distill a single trait into just one type. Whether it’s the alpha’s confidence, the beta’s warmth, the gamma’s independence, the delta’s resilience, the omega’s intelligence, or the sigma’s allure, each contributes to the richness of the female nation.
Understanding all personality types allows us to appreciate our differences. It gives us space for reflection, growth, and strengthens the bonds in our community, or pack.
So, which wolf is at your door?
