The Lone Wolf Advantage

Why team players don't make it to the top

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I once had a client unplug an entire business unit against the advice of his executive team. It was a decision worth millions, but his instinct was right. The company ended up refocusing on the area he wanted to drill into; they tightened up, allowing them to successfully expand in other directions.

Someone had to make the unpopular decision, and he made it. 

In the world of business and exceptional careers, we're constantly fed the narrative that being a "team player" is the key to success…but this conventional wisdom isn’t just wrong, it’s potentially holding you, or your company, back from reaching the upper limits of your potential achievement.

This isn’t just true for CEOs, it’s true for careers. Sure, there will always be areas where you do what you have to in order to rise—there are often politics, personalities, and other elements to navigate—but blending into the backdrop of employees is not how you stand out. 

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It’s this lone wolf trait that propels them to extraordinary heights. We admire it once we see them at the top, but we don’t think about it as much as we should—the psychological positioning is important. 

Let’s be clear, I'm not talking about being antisocial or unable to work or partner with others. I'm talking about a mindset and approach, a way of operating that sets the truly exceptional apart from the merely successful. Let's dive into why lone wolves dominate, and how embracing this mindset could be the key to unlocking far more of your potential.