Is there More than One Alpha

We recently explored the notion of the “alpha” and felt that the assigned definition was too one-dimensional. In fact, we believe that there are sub-classes of alphas. I came up with two: the “alpha-a” type (alpha alluring) and “alpha-b” type (alpha brutish). I personally realize - through some further thought and research - that this subject is way more complicated than even narrowing alpha down to two categories, but in my mind, I had to start somewhere. Here’s how I define the distinction. Both are highly intelligent, competent, competitive, opinionated, somewhat fidgety, attention-getters. What distinguishes alpha-a from alpha-b is that alpha-a has greater emotional intelligence (EI) and, more importantly, has a higher degree of social intelligence (SI). What is the difference? Daniel Goleman says that EI has to do with “self-mastery” and, I would add, seeking personal betterment; SI has to do with “empathy” in communication, i.e. how a person relates to other people, aspires them and is tuned into them (2008).

Not many of us in our doctoral class labeled ourselves as alphas. And, by the definition given in the article we read on alphas, I am not convinced that any of us would want to define ourselves as alphas. And I would argue that we are not alphas. I would even venture to say that you wouldn’t find too many of those alphas in such a higher learning space unless it had direct ROI on their career position (and, I mean career position, specifically; I am not talking about career path, on which we are all traversing). However, I think the definition from which we were all working was one based on alpha-b and if I shift my perception to an alpha-a definition then I think actually many of us do qualify! And it is a compliment!

What I do want to point out is findings about 5 types of individuals in the context of resource control theory: bistrategic controllers, coercive controllers, prosocial controllers, non-controllers, and typical controllers. “Controllers” is defined by the strategy used to influence. Bistrategic (1) controllers use both prosocial strategies of reciprocation and cooperation as well as coercive strategies of aggression and intimidation, to a high degree relative to peers. Coercive (2) controllers rely only on coercive strategies to a high level; prosocials (3) rely on those social strategies. Non-controllers (4) are low in both areas. Typical (5) controllers form the largest grouping and are average in both areas. Bistrategics have the highest level of social dominance status and are able to work the social elements while also bypassing or confronting them. (Hawley, Shorey and Alderman, 2009.) I am just guessing but I correlate bistrategic controllers with alpha-a types and coercive controllers as alpha-b types, both successful but different. And to really go out on a limb, I think prosocials are tier 2 management: the kind that gets to a certain, fairly successful point, is well-liked and appreciated in the organization, but who don’t quite make it to the top.

Wait, there’s more! Hawley et al. developed their research to identify how confidence and anxiety relate to these types. Ironically, they found that bistrategic controllers run average on confidence and have a high propensity toward anxiety and avoidance (of intimacy)! Coercive controllers have high levels of anxiety and avoidance and run low on confidence. Proscials experience high confidence, low avoidance and modest anxiety, but do not have high achievement orientation. (Hawley et al. 2009.) To me, this does not compute, at least if we operate on the assumption I made above correlating these types to alpha material.

An entirely other forum could be devoted to the similarities and differences between the sub-categories within alphas as they relate to gender. For example, Nancy Briton and Judith Hall developed research on the gender differences in nonverbal cues. They found that women were rates higher than men at interacting with people and recognizing facial expressions, gestures and expression in voice. “Women were perceived by both male and female participants to be fluent, skilled, and involved communicators” (Briton and Hall, 1995). Some would argue that these predispositions lend themselves to greater SI. They could be the reason why alpha females are labeled less overly aggressive. Gill Corkindale, Executive Coach, also believes that alpha females are less likely to run in packs than their male counterparts (2008) and that there are less alpha females than males. So, here is my question: is there such thing a thing an alpha-a female and alpha-b female, assuming you agree with the alpha-a and alpha-b definitions? Or, do we stereotype alpha-a and alpha-b, in thinking that alpha-a is more of a female definition and alpha-b is more male? However, we can envision male leaders of the alpha-a qualities, can’t we. And certainly we can envision those in our past who are alpha-b. I find it hard to come up with female alpha-b type. I don’t think they make it. I think that they are shut down because they push the envelope too far on societal norms.

Briton, Nancy J. and Hall, Judith A. (1995). Beliefs about female and male nonverbal communication. Sex Roles, 32, 1 / 2. Department of Psychology: Northeastern University, p. 79-90.

Corkindale, Gill (2008). Keys to working with alpha personalities. Presented by Harvard Business Review, as seen on YouTube. Retrieved from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP3KkAdT25I&feature=channel

Goleman, Daniel (2008). Social intelligence and Leadership. Presented by Harvard Business Review as seen on YouTube. Retrieved from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Qv0o1oh9f4

Hawley, Patricia H., Shorey, Hal S., and Alderman, Paul M. (2009). Attachment correlates of resource-control strategies: Possible origins of social dominance and interpersonal power differentials. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships: 26:1097. DOI: 10.1177/0265407509347939.

IVAWA Must Pass - Show Your Support TODAY

There are windows of opportunity in life that pass us by unless we seize them. WomenThrive is working hard to push I-VAWA (International Violence Against Women Act) through Congress during this month's lame duck session. Now -this month of November- is that window and there is every reason in the world to support this, with no down-side. And it takes LESS THAN 5 minutes... http://www.passivawa.org/takeAction.html
Be sure to scroll down the page and click on "contact your representatives" to fill out the online form. Then pass along to friends and family!


Members of Congress have a unique opportunity to stop violence against women around the world. They can pass the International Violence Against Women Act before they adjourn for the year!

The I-VAWA, which was introduced in the House and Senate in the 111th Congress, presents a critical opportunity for the United States to protect, defend, and empower the world’s women. It is a comprehensive piece of legislation that will integrate violence prevention in US foreign policy and support innovative programs that have been shown to effectively reduce violence against women and girls.

For many of us, recent reports on international violence against women seem distant and incomprehensible. On any given day, horrifying stories about such violence appear in the news: the systematic rape of women in the Democratic Republic of Congo, increasing assaults on women and girls in Afghanistan, violence against women and girls in Haiti whose lives are already devastated by the earthquake. Sadly, this violence is not isolated to a few women in a few places. In fact, approximately one out of three women worldwide has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in her lifetime with rates of domestic violence reaching 70 percent in some countries. No country is immune – the violence crosses all borders and affects women of all ages, social groups, religions and classes.

The United States Congress now has an opportunity to address these horrifying abuses. Senators Kerry (D-MA), Boxer (D-CA),Collins (R-ME) and Snowe (R-ME) and Congressman Delahunt (D-MA), Schakowsky (D-IL) and Congressman Poe (R-TX) introduced the International Violence Against Women Act, landmark legislation that can have a real impact for women all over the world, earlier this year.

Congress should move quickly to make the I-VAWA law and pass I-VAWA before they adjourn for the year.

In a world where tensions and violence within communities can jeopardize national and international security, it is critical that the United States take action to end atrocities committed against women and girls in their homes and in their communities, during times of peace and times of conflict.

Violence takes the lives of millions of women and girls, and denies countless others their dignity and the chance to live safe, productive lives. Constituents now have the opportunity to let lawmakers know they want more to be done to address violence against women globally they can take action to end the suffering by urging their Members of Congress to pass I-VAWA.

Click on the link, scroll down the page and click on the "contact your representatives" link for the online email to your Member of Congress, urging them to co-sponsor the I-VAWA and thanking those who have already co-sponsored! All you need to do is add your contact information and submit. Everything else is automatic.
http://www.passivawa.org/takeAction.html

It takes LESS THAN 5 MINUTES to support I-VAWA. Why wouldn't you?