"Gammas can’t understand is that the Alpha on an elite team doesn’t resent teammates’ lesser talents. He resents failure to consistently do the things they can do, with maximum effort, when needed."
Tremendously important distinction here. It feels like this is a "sixth sense" of the apex athlete: knowing when other guys aren't performing their best...but should be. Which then leads into another aspect of the Alpha leadership: their ability to inspire and push those players to higher levels.
When I played basketball, I was less interested in the sport itself and more interested in making friends. I was oblivious to how the two would have worked together, and it cost me much socialization. Reflecting on that now, it makes sense that I only ever see myself as an outsider to the teams which I'm a part of, and while I fulfill my roles successfully, I'm generally relegated to tasks so that the deltas don't have to break from their regular body of work. Management loves my versatility, and I'm generally on good terms with everyone before I leave for the next project. My new assignment intrigues me because the company is primarily gen Z, and I'm a Millennial, so the balance will be skewed in a direction unfamiliar to me. They're very tribal based on what I've heard of their morning meeting, so I ought to be able to slot in well and run support for the alpha as needed. Advice is welcome.
That sounds like a healthy approach in general, if it aligns with your personality traits and preference. You can make friends with a tribal group - just recognize that you are outside and take the time to observe and read to get a bead on the culture. Support the Alpha, don’t show people up or posture, and distance yourself from social aspects that don’t appeal rather than trying to force some sort of change. Plus you seem reflective and able to learn from past experiences. I suspect you’ll be fine.
The further away a boy goes from sports and performance, they worse his status gets. Even if you flee from sports and performance and other metrics, they will measure you. Dating will always be performance, because the opposite sex will always have expectations of you. There isn't a part of you which will be left without a measurement of how well you perform. In sports, in business, in family.
"Gammas can’t understand is that the Alpha on an elite team doesn’t resent teammates’ lesser talents. He resents failure to consistently do the things they can do, with maximum effort, when needed."
Tremendously important distinction here. It feels like this is a "sixth sense" of the apex athlete: knowing when other guys aren't performing their best...but should be. Which then leads into another aspect of the Alpha leadership: their ability to inspire and push those players to higher levels.
It’s true. The more you look at Alphas, the crazier the idea of learning to be one gets.
When I played basketball, I was less interested in the sport itself and more interested in making friends. I was oblivious to how the two would have worked together, and it cost me much socialization. Reflecting on that now, it makes sense that I only ever see myself as an outsider to the teams which I'm a part of, and while I fulfill my roles successfully, I'm generally relegated to tasks so that the deltas don't have to break from their regular body of work. Management loves my versatility, and I'm generally on good terms with everyone before I leave for the next project. My new assignment intrigues me because the company is primarily gen Z, and I'm a Millennial, so the balance will be skewed in a direction unfamiliar to me. They're very tribal based on what I've heard of their morning meeting, so I ought to be able to slot in well and run support for the alpha as needed. Advice is welcome.
That sounds like a healthy approach in general, if it aligns with your personality traits and preference. You can make friends with a tribal group - just recognize that you are outside and take the time to observe and read to get a bead on the culture. Support the Alpha, don’t show people up or posture, and distance yourself from social aspects that don’t appeal rather than trying to force some sort of change. Plus you seem reflective and able to learn from past experiences. I suspect you’ll be fine.
The further away a boy goes from sports and performance, they worse his status gets. Even if you flee from sports and performance and other metrics, they will measure you. Dating will always be performance, because the opposite sex will always have expectations of you. There isn't a part of you which will be left without a measurement of how well you perform. In sports, in business, in family.