"The strength of the wolf is the pack, and the strength of the pack is the wolf."
– Rudyard Kipling
The Wolf Credo
Chasing Influence: Transformational Coaching to Build Champions for Life.
Wolves have always carried a mystique—a mix of fear, admiration, even hate. Discussing politics may be a safer topic than talking about wolves at the dinner table with hunters, ranchers, conservationists, and animal rights advocates.
In many Native American traditions, wolves symbolize wisdom, courage, and unity. Different Native American traditions see the wolf as a spiritual guide and admire its hunting prowess, courage, and loyalty to the pack. Wolves are seen as protectors, messengers, and wise teachers.
But Western thought has painted a different picture. From Little Red Riding Hood to The Three Little Pigs, wolves became villains—symbols of danger lurking in the shadows. These cultural fears, and the loss of livestock due to wolves, led to centuries of extermination campaigns across Europe and North America.
Amid this complex narrative, one wolf emerged as both, the Custer Wolf. Known as the “Phantom of the Prairie,” this wolf became a legend, loathed by ranchers and celebrated by those who respected its clever and determined ways.
In the grasslands near Custer, South Dakota this lone gray wolf began to leave his mark—eluding traps, dodging bullets, and outsmarting hunters. It was 1912 and the wily wolf was becoming famous for its ability to strike silently and disappear without a trace. Ranchers believed it could sense danger before it arrived and trappers spoke of its almost supernatural intelligence.
Over the course of nine years, the Custer Wolf became a near-mythical figure. Ranchers described it as a “ghost,” and hunters spent years devising strategies to capture the wolf. It survived poisoned meat, steel traps, and relentless chases. It was believed the Custer Wolf traveled with two coyotes, forming an unlikely alliance that increased chances of survival.
In the end, a bullet finally caught the Custer Wolf and sealed its fate. In 1920, after an exhaustive campaign, a bounty hunter finally tracked and killed the grey wolf that had been feared and reluctantly admired.
The complexity of wolves in today’s world continues. From damaging herds to an important part of balancing the food chain, there is great debate that has led to significant study and investigation, giving us many lessons learned. Through years of evading death and thriving in the wild, the Custer Wolf lived by the principles of what Del Goetz later called “The Wolf Credo.”
Respect the elders
Teach the young
Cooperate with the pack
Play when you can
Hunt when you must
Rest in between
Share your affections
Voice your feelings
Leave your mark
Like the Custer Wolf, we all face traps—whether they are obstacles at work, conflicts in relationships, or personal doubts. What would it look like to adapt, outthink, and persevere as it did? How might we, like wolves, find strength in unity and resilience in the face of adversity? The lessons of the pack are not fleeting or time-bound. Respect those who came before, teach those who come after, and leave a legacy that matters!
"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."
— Albert Einstein
Connecting this quote to the story. The resilience, unity, and adaptability demonstrated by wolves gives us something to consider as we navigate challenges and leave a lasting impact in our own lives.
Chasing Influence tip: Stay alert and flexible; the ability to pivot and innovate is what keeps you ahead of the pack.
If you enjoyed this story, a series of three Chasing Influence workbooks is available. Stories are accompanied by discussion questions and answers. Each workbook contains 33 lessons to use with any team.
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* A big thanks to Bob Lawson for sharing the Wolf Credo with me!
©Troy Urdahl, 2025