Wolves and Work

People, in general, like structure. We build our lives around the structure of the family, the workplace, and even our faith. As a Catholic, I belong to a highly organized religious structure, and most Protestant churches also have clear structures within their denominations or even in individual churches. Typically, we know who is in charge.

At Hope College, we are no different. We have a clear organization chart that flows from the Board to the President to Vice-Presidents and staff or to the Provost and faculty. Our office is part of a larger division reporting to a vice-president with two offices underneath and, on paper, a clear structure within each office.

In our office, we often say “titles don’t matter.” While not an unusual phrase to hear in offices, it is one we try to practice. We recognize we bring different skills and gifts to a variety of areas and we succeed as a whole when we take turns leading and following (because following is as much of a skill as leading).

I thought about this recently as I read the great nature writer Barry Lopez’s (whom we lost just last year) work entitled Of Wolves and Men. Lopez’s immense respect for nature means he resists putting human artifices on nature, instead, trying to see what nature teaches us. He notes that many businesses talk about themselves as being like a wolf pack, but most do not work as one.

“The wolf is a social animal; it depends for its survival on cooperation, not strife,” he says. That cooperation means that even though there may be one or two wolves seen as primary, they are not always leading the pack. (Note: the concept of an “alpha” wolf is debated and the leaders may be male or female).

“The social structure of a wolf pack is dynamic…It is important during breeding, feeding, travel, and territorial maintenance, and seems to serve a purpose when wolves gather to reassure each other of the positive aspects of their life-style as reflected in this social order.”

When it is time for the hunt, the best hunters become the leaders. When searching for a location for dens, other wolves, usually females, scout out and establish their new base. Some wolves may be better at establishing the pack’s territory, marking out their area, and calling in help when needed for defense. The lead wolves know when to step back and allow others to lead. Just as importantly, the pack acknowledges this dynamic leadership and follows the one leading at that time. They even cooperate when they howl since they actually harmonize.

Our office is at its best when we reflect this dynamic type of leadership. When approaching projects, problems, and even relationships, if we step back and let the best person take on the work we are more successful as a group. If we become entrenched in a structure, we will fail. A dynamic office structure allows people to cross the reporting lines without seeking permission. It allows people to problem solve on their own without seeking guidance, making solutions quick and easy to assess. A dynamic structure also ensures that the loss of an individual, even for a short time, does not impact the success of the group. When offices follow this dynamic structure they become a positive place to work and their personality reflects the group as a whole rather than a single leader.

Whether overtly acknowledged or not, every office has a personality. Lopez notes that wolf packs include “autocrats, petulant individuals, or even cretins” and as a whole “wolf packs, like individual wolves, have personalities.” Sometimes our office takes a hit for our personality, which is seen as too carefree and, dare I say it, fun! But I will argue that our dynamic style reflects our group as a whole and exists because we can do the work efficiently and with success, because everyone leads at different times.

In that way, the parts of the body will not take sides. All of them will take care of one another.

St. Paul, 1 Corinthians

As Christians, this may all sound familiar as it is echoed in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians
in the famous passage on how we are many parts, but one body. At the end of the passage Paul says  ^“In that way, the parts of the body will not take sides. All of them will take care of one another.  If one part suffers, every part suffers with it. If one part is honored, every part shares in its joy” (1 Corinthians 12:25-26).

Let us be an office of joy, acknowledging not only the gifts of others but how those gifts allow others to lead us and for us to lead others. When we honor and trust one another, we’ll be a stronger body — and wolf pack.