Lessons from the Wild Dogs of Africa

1. Lessons from the Wild Dogs of Africa Creating Pack Leadership and Producing Transformative Results Hacker and Washington, 2007

2. 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

4. 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.

6. 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

7. Four Factors for Success • Pack Leadership • Individual Contribution • Pack Vision • Tenacity

8. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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.

14. 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

16. 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

17. 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

19. Role of the Alpha Dog • Skillful in analysis and administration • Energetic in their work • Demonstrate high individual performance

20. Role of the Alpha Dog • Requisite skills: • Forming a pack vision • Empowering team members • Employing creativity • Building community