A Wolf’s Advice on Teams
Updated: Oct 23
I don’t like to say this, but I think Superheroes are a bad influence!
Consider with me Spiderman in Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017).
In the movie, Peter Parker becomes eager to prove himself as a superhero. He tries to stop the villain, Vulture, mostly on his own and often ignores advice from Tony Stark (Iron Man). Because he rushes in without enough help or planning, he gets into strife—serious strife! Including nearly being crushed under a collapsed building.
Not clever.
Wolves hunt together, which means they can achieve goals that would be difficult or impossible alone. Each individual wolf is unique and contributes to the pack depending on its age, experience, and abilities. The strength of the pack comes from the combined effect of each wolf working towards a shared goal.
Usually a kill!
My friend tells the story of a time when he was employed as a Youth Worker. His staff were all volunteers, and he was keenly aware that the organisation he worked for had limited funds.
Every cent of his salary came from the sacrificial giving of people he knew personally.
For that reason, he felt compelled to work twice as hard as anyone else and bear the weight of most responsibilities. His volunteers helped him, but he wasn’t going to push them and take them for granted.
Until one day, one staff member seemed distant. In fact, she appeared angry as if something had offended her. My friend subconsciously ignored her for a while but couldn’t escape the feeling that it was him that had done the damage.
Eventually, after a long and painful conversation, she let him know how unvalued she felt. He had taken his responsibilities so seriously that he’d forgotten that he and she were part of a team.
One particular decision was made without her input and that was the last straw.
Wolves work toward the common objective of the pack's survival and well-being, teaching us that teamwork is most effective when everyone is focused on a common purpose. When everyone shares the weight of the same goal. In that context. leaders of wolf packs don’t dominate; rather, they contribute their experience to the group.
My friend realised that he had taken his responsibilities so seriously that he had forgotten the power of working together. Without meaning to, he had dominated the group. He had unwittingly set himself up to be a superhero and was on the road to being crushed by broken relationships.
Volunteers rarely mind giving their time and energy to something they genuinely believe in.
The salaried youth worker learned a tough lesson that his job was not to do all the work and not to make all the decisions.
His job was to create something beautiful from the combined effect of many hearts and minds working towards the same dream.
Great leaders don't become heroes by carrying everything themselves.
They become leaders by helping others contribute their strengths toward a shared purpose.
This week, instead of asking, "How can I do this better?" ask, "Who could do this with me?"
……….
Build a stronger team by understanding yourself
Great teamwork begins when we recognise that we don't have to do everything ourselves. When we understand our own strengths, value the contributions of others and work towards a shared purpose, we create opportunities for everyone to flourish.
What kind of leader are you—and how could you grow?
Take our free Which Leadership Animal Are You? Assessment to explore your leadership strengths and identify opportunities for personal growth.
Want more practical ideas? Explore more leadership lessons inspired by nature for insights into teamwork, communication, empathy and leading others well.
And if you're ready to turn insight into action, explore our Animal Instincts guided journals for structured reflection and practical personal development.
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