Seven Tips on How to Act and Become an Alpha

An alpha is the dominant figure in a social or professional setting. The main role of the alpha is to be the leader of the group and with it comes responsibilities to protect, inspire, and motivate the group.

What does it take to be an Alpha?

First things first, it is no surprise that as an alpha you need to be confident in yourself. After all, how can you expect others to look to you as a leader, if you yourself are not sure in yourself.

Confidence comes from believing in yourself. But there is a difference between blind confidence and true confidence. Blind confidence is a false belief in your abilities, which can also be construed as overconfidence. True confidence is when you exude the will, persistence, and have the ability to instill confidence in others.

Why is the person with the most knowledge rarely the alpha?

The reason is because you have to have the ability to lead. To put it in another way, you have to have the influence to protect, inspire, and motivate the group. Suppose you know what to do in a pressure situation, but can not get your team to help you do it. What good does that do if you can't rally the team? Compare that to a motivator or influence, who can determine who is good for what role and get the team to the end zone. If you know what needs to get done in the group, you have the knowledge and know how. Then you just need the presence and influence to become the alpha.

What are ways to show you are more confident in yourself?

1. Hold your head up high 

If you look down that shows you are giving up your "dominance". Why do you think people used to bow in the presence of kings?

2. Place your hand on top when you shake

This one can come off a bit rough, so use this with caution. If you look closely at Donald Trump's handshakes, more times than not, he places his hand on top showing he is "in charge".

3. Keep steady bold eye contact

Don't confuse this with and deep creepy stare. When you talk to someone, look at them in the eye. If you look elsewhere, people will think you are not paying attention.

4. Take oversized steps

Small steps are associated with cute things. Small puppies take small steps. Take big steps like a big gorilla does.

5. Take up more space

What position does a kid assume when he is afraid in the dark? He or she cowers and rolls up in a "fetal position". Do the opposite. Spread your wings and take up more space.

6. Use a deeper tone 

Are you afraid of a mouse that squeaks or a 400 lb lion that roars?

7. Fake it till you make it

Studies have shown that expressing the victory pose actually lowers cortisol stress hormones and helps you react differently to stress. You are more calm under pressure.