Beware of Political "Lone Wolves": You've Been Warned

I've noticed a certain type of behavioral pattern that exists in the political sphere (and I'm sure in other sectors) where they are unable to maintain cohesive professional relationships.

I call them "Lone Wolves".

First, I'm not a psychologist so there may be a clinical term for what I'm about to describe but I'll leave that to the professionals.

I simply want to describe the patterns of behavior I've seen from certain public figures that I find interesting.

The term Lone Wolf isn't to indicate their level of success but the behavior they exhibit ultimately isolates them from others. The Lone Wolves that I've identified range from extremely successful to barely noticed, so being Lone Wolves doesn't always hinder them.

The first thing to understand is that Lone Wolves like being Lone Wolves. They aren't bitter about approaching things alone, they are actually gleeful about doing things in spite of the lack of support. To them, others hold them back, so they'd rather do it themselves.

However, this mentally stems from ego because no one can do it as good as them. So, you may see someone who has a team of people but they micromanage them because, from their perspective, everyone else is inept. Even in a room of people, they feel "alone" in competency.

Lone Wolves tend to be puritanical in their worldview. There is only one way things are supposed to operate and that's their way. The problem is that if you get close to them, you either have to adhere to their vision or prepare to be pushed away if you dare to deviate.

Lone Wolves don't value personal & professional relationships like how most people would. To them, these types of relationships are "take it or leave it" and they tend to use people as convenient commodities until their usefulness has been depleted.

For example, they could have a years-long close association with someone but they'll easily ridicule them & attempt reputation destruction for the mildest of disagreements. It's because they don't bend for others & likely the relationship has run its course in usefulness.

Lone Wolves often push people away purposefully. They're difficult to work with but they like it this way because then they'll get to use their renegade status as a point of emphasis to convince the public that they're the only righteous one in the crowd.

For example, they'll create relationship hurdles, unnecessary arguments, and public spats between allies and associates so they can highlight how they're getting attacked from all angles because they're the only ones doing the right thing or speaking the truth.

I bring this type of person up not to necessarily ridicule them but to warn others about them. I think people who are into politics see what they want to see and often ignore the signs because that person is "on their side" or because they're "fighting the good fight".

Lone Wolves are often highly intelligent and/or talented people, without a doubt, but they are anti-social. Often people will see their talent and want to gravitate toward them, which is normal, but Lone Wolves don't need you and they will discard you in a split second.

So if you see someone who appears to not be able to maintain professional relationships, who tends to purposefully isolate themselves, or if they have people around them, those people walk on eggshells to stay around, it's probably because they're a Lone Wolf.

You've been warned.