What EXACTLY are the alpha male characteristics?
In leadership, people often aspire to personify the unmistakable aura associated with alpha male characteristics. These traits go beyond mere stereotypes, offering a nuanced viewpoint on leading with confidence, strength, and authenticity.
Alpha male characteristics aren’t confined to domination but manifest as a unique blend of resilience, charisma, and strategic thinking.
As we explore these traits, it becomes clear that genuine leadership isn’t about control for its own sake but about fostering an environment where people can thrive collectively.
Join us as Psychology Diary explores the 7 definitive alpha male characteristics and discovers how they form the cornerstone of authentic leadership in various contexts.
Through this journey, you may reflect on your own style, considering whether these traits resonate with your approach to inspiring and guiding others.
27 Responses
Interesting. However, reading through this, I wonder why these traits are just attached to men. I have known and worked with many women who demonstrate these traits on a daily basis. Yet I question that they would describe themselves as Alpha Males.
Perhaps, just perhaps, we can establish that those who are successful in following this path, both female and male, are worth respect.
In addressing male traits, in particular Alpha Male traits, the author appears to be focusing attention, and the intention of the article, on men. There does not have to be a unisex reference made for any and every topic pertaining to men or to women. That in itself is erroneous thinking.
If the article was addressing the dynamics of women contesting one another for winner of a beauty pageant for example, why bring a comparison of male traits or maleness into it at all? Anyone with a reasonable and well grounded common sense would know it’s for women and women only—just leave it at that.
And men are be okay with that. Women might do the same—-as it should be.
Masculinity is different from femininity, and there is no valid reason to emasculate males to suit or attempt to equalize the status of men and women, for women. That is complete folly!
There is plenty of room for honoring men as men, celebrating our unique qualities. Don’t need the approval of women to do so! However, healthy grounded men know that it is natural for them to seek the support of the women they love, in doing so.
In fact given all the absurdity with gender multiplicity (absolutely abhorrent concept) pushed down young people’s and children’s throats these days, the society needs strong, clear men, and strong, clear women to correct this egregiously harmful, utter non- sense!
The more important point here is that clear men and clear women know who they are, and need not create confusion and chaos for themselves, and especially not for there children or society’s children and Youth.
I agree entirely with you. Some people would disagree with a ROCK.
You are focusing too much on gender. Traditionally, Alpha was used to address male attributes. Surely we are intelligent enough to understand that nowadays this can be applied to both male and female. Nothing about the society in which we leave is closed to one sex or the other.
Exactly!! Can’t we just speak about one topic without having to include every other species in one conversation. Goodness gracious.
I agree wholeheartedly with your thoughts. It is refreshing to know that there are still men out there that are strong in the purpose and leadership. I am a strong woman but looking for my alpha partner to support, love and honor each other in all we do.
Well stated.
You should go back to school and learn basic spelling and grammar. Furthermore, this article had nothing to do with the topic upon which you spent a majority of your response pontificating.
No one said these only attach to men. The article refers to MEN not women. If you want to write an article about women then do it. I have met many women in my life that could just as easily have the same assets and probably did.
I have found within my experiences, People of Alpha characteristics, are not the same across the two genders. In fact, females who display the alpha trait often demonstrate emotional detachment from others, and sometimes behave in a covert manner in an attempt to get even with another female co-worker.
While the male alpha will most likely be over confrontational with same gender co-workers.
The best person for Management positions are Sigma types.
Just my observations!!!
yeah that’s true , there’s apha females on bee and ant colonies
Linda, there are also alpha women. Click on the following link. If it doesn’t open, copy and paste it into your browser.
The Alpha Female: 9 Ways You Can Tell Who is an Alpha Woman
https://www.scienceofpeople.com/alpha
Haven’t even read the article yet and came up with the same question.
I would think that the topic is “males” and more specifically “alpha males”. If the topic were females or people/humans in general, then alpha traits in females would be an appropriate part of the discussion. Just my take on the question and the non-issue.
Exactly – I know many women with these traits also. Maybe we should just say “Alphas or Alpha People”
It’s called alpha women, we been socializing men into the gutter for decades
Because the article is about Alpha Males. Your want to write one about Alpha Women have at it.
Because the topic is about alpha men and not women. Please try and stay on topic.
Linda, I had the same exact thought! These are characteristics of great leaders and people….
For those who find distress in not affirming the Gender Female in this article. I, a older (60+) white male would certainly fall in the category discussed here. In fact routinely tells me that I am not a Type A (Alpha), but a Type Triple A. I would say this about the lack of discussion of the Alpha Female, I would say this. The Gender Male here could very well have been used to describe both the Gender Male and Female. As the article clearly portrays, the Alpha traits include a very high level of self-confidence. Should someone who is a true Alpha personality, they do not seek, desire nor need adulations from others, they have that self-confidence built inside of themselves. Simply put, the need to have other tell you just how good you are is actually a sign that that particular individual is indeed not a Type Alpha personality. Enough said.
Self-proclaimed Alpha Male.
Reading thru this article, I did a short reflection on my personality. I have been referred to as being an alfa personality many times over my adult life. At first I thought someone was buttering me when they referred to something I did or a solution to difficult situation. As I grew older and wiser, it came to me that there might be something to what people has said about me. As I read this article it became clear to me, why this was said about me. I definitely possess 5 of the 7 traits, the sixth a sure may be and the last not so sure. I found in my case this to be a very accurate description of my personality.
I totally agree with Linda and Sharon, I have had interactions with quite a few female counterparts that exhibited the very same Alfa traits but were never referred to as Alpha females. I feel this is long overdue to be corrected.
HOGWASH~ This diatribe is strictly opinion based and describes the “alpha males” role in the context of a group or crowd.
You completely ignore the “alpha males” who are loners, rugged individuals, pioneers, or isolated researchers. Wasn’t Jesus Christ the ultimate “alpha male”?? Did he spend his days on Earth trying to fit into a crowd, or appease others? NO! He was the ultimate in a Compassionate leader and healer.
Instead of wallowing in this opinionated drivel, why don’t you allow yourself to be influenced by that ultimate “alpha male”, YOUR PERSONIAL SAVIOR—Jesus Christ?? The power of Jesus can actually isolate you from the prevalent wickedness and evil which is overwhelming the world today!!
HERE!!—Let’s try this—“Oh Heavenly Father—through your beloved son, Jesus Christ—will you isolate me and my loved ones from wickedness and evil (including, but not limited to the following—)
* Predators
* Parasites
* Propagandists
* Opportunists
* Greedsters
* Manipulators
* Drug Crazed
* Criminally Insane
* Miscreants
* Sex Maniacs
* Sundry Other Demoniacs
AMEN!!”
This positive message is yet another free gift from your favorite Sage, Feral Tomm! You are WELCOME!!
Since men are mostly masculine energy, I would expect there traits to differ from women. This study is about alpha males and not women which possess more feminine energy. Also, some women show strength due to the pain experienced in their past. This is why women would not necessarily have the same traits as men. Why do we want to be so much like men, my strength in my feminine energy comes from a different place and that’s ok.
I agree with the traits, And i can only think of 2 men close to me that can meet all those marker. I am so fortunate one is my husband the other my son in law.
My S/O was gone for a few months after a six year relationship. He let me know he is an alpha male. When I asked what that meant he replied I was beneath him, and I was to do what he said. I laughed and explained we have a problem since I am an alpha female. I was raised with all my male brothers, cousins and neighbors until about 16 years old, had divorced the father of my children, worked and paid my own bills, provided, protected and raised my children with no assistance from their father. That was his entire explanation, I was beneath him since I was female. To me, alpha is described by protecting and providing for your family. My impression was (for him) I should do as he says and he’s going to be out procreating with whomever catches his fancy and I would be running the home and sitting there. He never understood me when I told him a relationship/partnership meant we are a team walking together in this life side by side, with neither above or below the other.
Alpha refers to pack leader, not male or female, no specific age or group size. Not even consistently in time or situation. A three year old in their pack of 2 will rise to the alpha spot because their hangry and want the popsicle and will bully/take charge to get it. In the next situation they don’t know how to open the door and gladly leave the task to another situational alpha.
There are some that rise to the aloha role more frequently than others. Adults screw things up, as usual. Overthinking leads some to believe it’s a job, class, social title 24/7. It’s exhausting, and risky. Then there’s folks like me that happily share alpha with those around me. Just my bit, Not interested in replies or discussion. Have a great day.
Well is it not accurate that estrogen, progesterone and a small amount of testosterone are usually found in female humans? And Testosterone primarily is found in male humans although small amounts of female hormones are present as well. ( Males start out as females in the womb, correct? ) Not all men show strong leadership and assertive qualities. Or sometimes they develop them later in life. Same with women and nurturing qualities. If we changed the vocabulary so it is not attached to values and preferences we are right back in the sixties and the slogan “free to be you and me”. And is not human freedom with compassion and responsibility to others the key to a great civilization? Perhaps such liberation to be free is what frightens people and creates rigid boundaries that have made of our world one of fear of “the other”. Some Indigenous tribes for example express acceptance and embrace members whose hormonal differences from the rest of the tribe are evident. That is what is known as tolerance. The root Latin of the word is tolerare which translates “to bear the burden of” The burden of our own uncomfortableness with that which is different than the majority. Food for thought.