Ed Orgeron is an Alpha Male! He is a larger than life figure with a personality to match. Currently at USC, Orgeron is considered the best defensive line coach and recruiter in college football. While the head coach at Ole Miss, he was featured in a book written by Bruce Feldman entitled Meat Market.
Feldman provides a compelling character study of what a true Alpha Male leader looks like in Orgeron. As we take a look at the former Ole Miss coach, see if he reminds you anyone.
An Alpha Male Leader:
- Has supreme confidence. They are fearless.
- Wants the final decision.
- Is constantly evaluating their personnel.
- Is always looking for opportunity.
- Often values intangibles.
- Is always discontent and looking for ways to improve.
- Is comfortable with criticism.
- Appreciates talent.
- Respects other alpha males. Kings talk to kings.
- Can easily say “No“.
- Is transparent/blunt.
- Default to their strengths. Orgeron’s was recruiting.
- Shows immediate results wherever they go.
- Learns from failure.
- Prepares well.
- Never forgets anything but also move on quickly.
- Often burns out because they are inherently adversarial.
- Has no patience for marginal or high-maintenance personnel.
- Doesn’t settle.
- Attempts to be leaders in their field or will fail trying.
- Enjoys, almost lusts for competition.
- Has endless energy.
- Is creative.
- Views conflict as a plus.
- Doesn’t like surprises.
- Recruits “difference makers”.
- Promotes personnel who produce results.
- Wants personalities like themselves.
- Desires solutions, not problems.
- Is suspect of constantly positive people.
- Outworks everyone.
- Determines the mood of every room they enter.
- Probes issues deeply.
- Appreciates tough-skinned individuals.
- Views shyness as weakness.
- Never gives up. They are tenacious.
- Wants environments that are upbeat, positive, and confident.
- Requires loyalty.
- Has a constant, on-going evaluation process.
- Hates silence.
- Views silence as consent.
- Grows increasingly frustrated by mistakes.
- Experiences high staff turnover.
- Never takes the easy way.
- Is fiercely proud.
- Refuses to wait for anything.
- Understands the value of time.
- Sometimes unknowingly bruises the psyches of their team.
- Often does destructive things to others and themselves because they know few boundaries.
- Innovates.
- Has Focus.
- Learns from mistakes.
- Surrounds themselves with talented people.
- Is generous to top performers.
- Is a salesmen.
- Often judges people by externals.
- Keeps score.
- Is conscious of the perceptions of others.
- Is always looking for an edge.
- Likes going first. Of course they do, they are leaders.
- Expands their leadership teams.
- Protects the team.
- Moods are predicated by won-loss records.
- Makes choices in less-than-perfect situations.
- Is memorable.
That is an exhaustive list but what thoughts come to your mind when you think of Alpha Males?
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