The wolves within

the power of the pack vs the ego of the self

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

Rudyard Kipling, “The Jungle Book”

In Cherokee language “WAYA” means wolf, and the wolf is one of the most respected creatures in Native American culture.

Wolves are highly intelligent animals, caring, playful, and devoted to family. They are exceptional hunters, educate their young, take care of their injured and live in family groups (the pack).

A wolf pack is a complex social unit with an extended family of parents, offspring, siblings, aunts, uncles, and sometimes wolves from other packs. The old wolves need to be cared for and the young need to be educated.

The wolf pack as a collective is a force of nature, a living leadership lesson and a reminder that for a pack to be strong, everyone matters in that team.

THE TWO WOLVES - A CHEROKEE STORY (abbreviated version)

A Cherokee elder speaks to his grandson about life. “A battle rages inside me,” he says. “It is dangerous and it is between two wolves. One is evil. He is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, lies, superiority, and ego.” He continued, “The other is good. He is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, empathy, generosity, truth, and faith. The same fight goes on inside of you and inside of everyone else as well.” The grandson pondered his words and asked, “Which wolf will win?”

The elder smiled and said, "The one I feed."

It is said however that the real story ends slightly different

“The old Cherokee smiled and replied, “If you feed them right, they both win.”

The story goes on…

“You see, if I only feed the white wolf, the black wolf will hide in the dark waiting for me to falter so that it can pounce and get the attention he craves. He will always be angry and will always be fighting the white wolf. But if I acknowledge him, both he and the white wolf can be satisfied, and we all win.

For the black wolf has qualities that I need and that the white wolf lacks: tenacity, courage, fearlessness, strength of will, and resourcefulness. The white wolf instead provides compassion, caring, heart, and the ability to value the needs of others over my own.

You see, the two wolves need each other. Feeding only one and starving the other will eventually make both uncontrollable. Caring for both allows them both to serve you, so that you can do something greater, something good with your time on earth. Feed them both and you will quiet their internal struggle for your attention, and, when there is no battle inside, you can then hear the voices of deeper knowledge that will guide you in choosing the right path in every circumstance.

Peace, my son, is what we must all strive for in life. He who has peace inside has everything. He who harbors a storm within his heart and soul has nothing. How you choose to treat the opposing forces within you will ultimately determine how you live.”

Embracing Complexity

In the realm of decision-making, we often fall prey of a simplistic binary perspective, where actions are categorized into clear good or obvious evil. This approach implies a straightforward choice: we must wholeheartedly feed one wolf and starve the other. While there may be moments in life where such clarity is necessary and certain decision require the courage and boldness to know exactly what is right and what it wrong; embracing a binary mindset can overlook the inherent complexity of human forces and social interactions.

It is for this reason that the Cherokee story of the two wolves offers profound insights into the multifaceted nature of character development and leadership choices. Rather than succumbing to a rigid either-or mentality, we are challenged to explore the shades of gray that define the challenges we face. Life's complexities call for adaptable and context-driven decision-making, where the interplay of conflicting emotions and choices demands a more nuanced understanding.

Leadership demand us to become astute judges of character, both within ourselves and others. We must recognize the coexistence of seemingly opposing traits and values, acknowledging that each facet plays a role in shaping our character. Navigating these complexities is not about rigidly choosing one path over the other, but rather forging a harmonious blend that serves the greater good.

Anyone challenged with a leadership situation will be presented with trade-offs and dilemmas that necessitate thoughtful analysis. Feeding the values that matter most to us and our organizations becomes an art of balance, where we draw on our wisdom and intuition to make the best choices possible in any given context. It is in these moments of discernment that a leader cultivates character, shaping it into an instrument for positive influence and growth.

The ultimate goal of leadership is the prosperity and well-being of the pack—the collective entity we belong to and we are accountable for. Like a wolf realizing its full potential within a pack, we must recognize that leadership prowess finds its highest purpose when harnessed for the greater benefit of a cause, teams development and our broader communities.

Leading with a deep understanding of the nature of human complexity allows us to foster inclusive and supportive environments. It encourages us to seek collaboration, appreciate diverse perspectives, and celebrate the synergy of collective efforts. In nurturing the potential of each team member, we create a thriving pack where every individual's contributions are valued, and the pack as a whole rises to new heights.

In conclusion, the wisdom of the two wolves Cherokee story calls on leaders to embrace complexity more frequent than not, rather than yielding to simplistic binary choices. By acknowledging the interplay of conflicting emotions and values, we can make discerning decisions that align with the greater good. A strong character is one that finds harmony amidst diversity, and the true measure of leadership lies in the collective growth and prosperity of the pack.

The wolf can only realize its full potential as part of a pack; and this is to me the most important leadership lesson.

If you want to listen to a song that pays tribute to this old Cherokee story… click the link below and enjoy some of the music I listened to while writing this post

“Lead yourself, Learn to live. Lead others, Learn to Build.”

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