What does it mean to you to find your own place in the world? Some of us, when asked such a question, might think about a specific location — a town, family home or perhaps a place somewhere in nature, a sanctuary where they can feel safe, protected, away from the rest of the world.
Others may believe that another way to find our own place in the world is to find our true passion, doing things that bring us joy, doing what we love. In other words, our place on Earth is where we can be at peace, where we can find fulfillment, no matter whether such a place is an actual place or a state of mind.
I am one of those who always seeks more opportunities to express my passion for life, growth, spiritual development and spreading my “creative wings.”
Mind you, this isn’t a story about my life experiences, although I will reach to them to share with you some beautiful things. This is a story about a pack of “good wolves.”
Whenever we bring our deepest desires to life and plant our dearest ideas in reality, we look for the best ways to get to the place of our destination. And when that journey begins, it is best not to travel alone.
I learned that simple truth very quickly when I was finishing university and beginning my career as a film director, producer and screenwriter. When you are making a film, a whole team of people needs to be involved to bring it to the audience — who, as well, needs to be excited about the film and help it thrive in the community.
For each journey, we begin with others — we create a specific pack. The success of the whole pack determines the success of each individual and the success of the entire undertaking.
To create our pack, we might consider the old Cherokee story telling us about the “bad” and “good” wolf residing and battling in each of us. The first one represents anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego. The other is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith. Whichever of these two we feed, it wins.
At the beginning of our collaboration with others, the first thing to do is to find our place in the “pack of wolves” and know which one of our inner wolves will best contribute to our common goal.
When a pack of wolves travels in nature, they organize themselves in a particular structure:
• The first few in front are old and sick. They walk in front to set the pace.
• The next several others are the strongest. They protect the front side from an attack.
• The middle group is fully protected.
• The several behind them are also among the strongest. They protect the back side of the pack.
• The last wolf walking behind the entire pack is the leader.
The role of the wolf leader is to ensure that no one is left behind, the pack is tight and on the same path. The leader is ready to run in any direction to protect the pack at all times. Being the “good wolf” leader is not about being in front. It’s about taking care of the entire team.
When we apply the same strategy to our own business venture, we naturally understand that any company is only as good as its members. It’s not the quality of our product that makes it successful in the world. It is the quality of the leaders and their teams that, above all, make the difference.
Being the “good wolf” leader is about being genuine, providing help, always paying attention, building close relationships, connecting with those who share our passions, persistence, and respect. It all comes back to helping others — from the person who brings us coffee to the top authority in our industry. Once we take care of others, everything else tends to take care of itself.
Our genuine heart always finds a way to invite the world to be in our corner.
