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Lessons from the Wild Dogs of Africa. Creating Pack Leadership and Producing Transformative Results Hacker and Washington, 2007. Wild Dogs of Africa. Most successful carnivore in Africa with kills in 8 out of 10 hunts Communal predators with highly developed, complex social behaviors
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Lessons from the Wild Dogs of Africa Creating Pack Leadership and Producing Transformative Results Hacker and Washington, 2007
Wild Dogs of Africa • Most successful carnivore in Africa with kills in 8 out of 10 hunts • Communal predators with highly developed, complex social behaviors • Led by an alpha male and female • Stalk their victims until exhaustion overtakes the prey
Wild Dogs • Highly creative – use the electric fences of animal reserves as a weapon during hunts • Frequent conflicts to determine the “top dog” • When tragedy strikes, males often take over caring for the pups • All members of the pack are allowed to eat. They take turns eating and feeding the pups.
Wild Dogs • Set long term goals – long hunts that take three days while cooperatively working together to exhaust the prey • Recognize risks (antlers, horns, etc.) and wait until the prey no longer has the energy to fight before finishing the kill • Each dog must engage – short term dips and issues with maturation are overcome by tenaciously sticking to the goal
Four Factors for Success • Pack Leadership • Individual Contribution • Pack Vision • Tenacity
Pack Leadership • All adult members of the pack are required to lead at one time or another during the hunt • Track prey in a fan pattern • As the prey changes direction, a different dog takes the lead in the hunt • When the lead dog gets tired, the one behind it steps up to take over the lead • There is not a shared plan or strategy; they simply know the goal and work to accomplish it.
Individual Contribution • Dogs are capable of living alone without a pack • Packs are joined for the social connections between hunts • Members of the pack are prized for their individual contributions to the overall goals of the pack.
Pack Vision • There is not an obvious leader, they share a common vision. • They instinctively know that their individual survival depends on the survival of the pack. • They eat in order – youngest to oldest. If they run out of food, they hunt until all have eaten. • Two purposes • Younger dogs grow up strong and engaged in hunting • Subordinate dogs are hungry and must stay engaged in hunting to eat
Tenacity • Wild dogs succeed because they never give up. • The size and power of a dog are minimal when compared to many other predators. • They are successful because they are tenacious and relentless in their pursuit of prey. • The style is not as flashy as the speed of a cheetah or as ferocious as an angry lion, but it is highly effective at achieving its’ goals.
Role of the Alpha Dog • Brings the team together • Prepares to unite conscious, willful individuals into a pack • Stamina to pursue breakthrough change in the light of day and the dark of night
Role of the Alpha Dog • Recognizes that each member of the pack is a skilled contributor in the present or near future • Each member is a spirit full of energy and creativity • The challenge is pulling the energy together and insisting on individual contributions
Role of the Alpha Dog • Competence to lead with vision • Wherewithal to enroll and energize others to achieve a living vision • Good with managing a team • Organize current, known assets and resources to deliver on the mission and vision of an organization
Role of the Alpha Dog • Skillful in analysis and administration • Energetic in their work • Demonstrate high individual performance
Role of the Alpha Dog • Requisite skills: • Forming a pack vision • Empowering team members • Employing creativity • Building community