Overcoming Lone Wolf Syndrome

Hey there GSD Go-Getters!

Larissa here, coming to you from Oaxaca, Mexico for the last time for a little while before I depart this week for Australia - if you’re in Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide please reach out, I’d love to connect in person!

Before I jump into this fortnight’s edition - I wanted to share the following GoFundMe link: https://gofund.me/96756618 Please take the time to read through Veronica’s story and donate where you can. More information below.

This fortnight’s insight: Overcoming Lone Wolf Syndrome

Now, onto the main event. Today, I wanted to share some content from the vault that many original Pack members may vaguely recall regarding Lone Wolf Syndrome.

Today, I want to dive into what being a "Lone Wolf" means and how it's not just a trope for heroes in movies, but a reality for many of us.

When I think of a Lone Wolf, I think of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine/Logan from the XMEN films. I think of Bruce Wayne/Batman, I think of Geralt of Rivia for my Witcher friends (anyone else really love the Witcher III: Wild Hunt?).

Lone Wolf Syndrome (LWS) describes individuals who, just like their animal namesakes, prefer their own solitude over the company of a Pack. It’s typically seen in introverts who recharge in their own company, creative minds who thrive in solitude and those who seek privacy or minimal social distraction while they focus on their core tasks. And yet, society’s view on this independence has cast an isolative or non-cooperative stigma on our Lone Wolf friends, which is not the case in many iterations.

Understanding Lone Wolves

To truly appreciate the value of a Lone Wolf, first we need to understand the balance between the strength of the individual and the power of the community.

Simple, yet profound. You could replace Pack with Community, Society, any kind of collective noun really, but the message remains the same. In our hyper-individualised society, recognising the role of community dynamics is crucial.

Challenges Faced by Lone Wolves

• Procrastination and Lack of Structure: Because the Lone Wolf often enjoys the freedom that comes with working independently, this same freedom can lead to procrastination and a lack of structure since there is no external deadline or team expectation to meet. The absence of a routine can make it challenging to prioritise tasks and manage time effectively.

• Hesitation to Seek Help: While we can praise the Lone Wolf’s independence and ability to solve problems on their own - this mindset can also lead to a reluctance to seek help when needed, due to fear of appearing weak or incapable.

• Limited Knowledge Sharing: Choosing to work in isolation can mean missing out on the collective knowledge of the Pack. A collaborative exchange of ideas and feedback naturally occurs in team environments. Without it, the Lone Wolf’s exposure to new perspectives can limit their growth and innovation.

If you resonate with any of the above, is it any surprise that you might be feeling a little overwhelmed?

In a business environment, whether you’re rocking the solopreneur adventure or you’re flying up the corporate ranks, I think we can collectively agree that we’ve lost of the idea of a collaborative mentality. Our working relationships have become transactional (for the most part) and we have lost the ability to bond or apply our “social glue” to one another. Watercooler conversations are a hard pass for me, personally.

A Lone Wolf roaming the wild cannot bring back any lessons learnt to the pack. In a workplace sense, our lack of knowledge sharing has been plugged with 12,784 different collaboration tools that delegate and outsource or automate, removing the simple communication piece between two individuals.

Strategies to Harness Your Lone Wolf Strengths

1. Find your Alpha Pair: aka a good business or work partner that you can pair up with, bounce ideas off and just generally vent to when things are rough or celebrate when things go right!

2. Cultivate a Circle of Mentors and Peers: Learn from the people who are doing the things you want to be doing or embody the habits you want to embody. Isn’t there a saying somewhere that you’re the sum of the 4 people you spend the most time with?

3. Consider Structured Ventures: A franchise, might be your best bet. Random, I know - but this one is more targeted at our budding entrepreneurs. These business types have a solid framework or structure in place that can help you get you feet wet in the industry you’re targeting.

4. Build your Community. Doesn’t matter if its on Facebook, Reddit or WhatsApp. Anywhere that allows you and some like-minded folks to come together to collaborate, share ideas and grow together - is ideal. These kinds of spaces offer collaboration and growth opportunities, allowing you to share and receive insights but you’ll be able to maintain your coveted autonomy.

Your Takeaway

Being a Lone Wolf isn’t a flaw, it’s a strength! Once you understand and harness that ability, it can lead to unparalleled creativity and achievement. Remember, even the most solitary wolves can benefit from the Pack’s wisdom. Just like every other facet of life, we need to strive for balance, embracing our independence while acknowledging the power of connection.

If you want to learn about this more in depth you can find the original published podcast below: