The notion that business success is driven by a single, heroic leader is often overstated, according to Randy Wolken, President & CEO of the Manufacturers Association Of Central New York (MACNY). In a recent message, Wolken drew parallels between leadership in organizations and the behavior of wolves, emphasizing that both thrive through teamwork rather than individual effort.
Wolken noted that while media coverage tends to spotlight individuals who appear to have transformed companies or industries on their own, significant achievements are almost always the product of group collaboration. “The idea of the solitary, heroic leader is essentially a myth. Stories in modern business media often highlight individuals who seem to have single-handedly transformed companies or industries. The reality is success is rarely the result of one person’s actions. While leaders are undoubtedly important, they’re not the sole drivers of lasting achievements,” Wolken said.
He compared organizational leadership structures to wolf packs, which rely on flexible but collective efforts for survival: “If you know anything about wolves, you know they survive and thrive by running in packs. Within the pack is a flexible leadership structure, but life-or-death challenges — like hunting — require teamwork. No wolf succeeds alone; the pack’s effectiveness determines its survival. Human organizations operate in a similar fashion.”
According to Wolken, today’s complex and rapidly changing environment makes solo leadership impractical: “In today’s world, the pace of change and the complexity of challenges make solo leadership nearly impossible. True success almost always involves a collective effort. If you look closely at any significant accomplishment, you’ll find a group of dedicated, talented, and hardworking leaders collaborating with others to achieve extraordinary results. Unfortunately, the headlines tend to celebrate individuals, not teams, but it’s the team dynamic that deserves recognition.”
He cited MACNY’s experience with manufacturing and technology-based apprenticeships as an example. Through statewide initiatives such as the New York Registered Apprenticeship Manufacturing Partnership (NY-RAMP) and the Manufacturers Intermediary Apprenticeship Program (MIAP), MACNY has registered 73 new apprentices with 159 stakeholders since July of last year. “Take a recent example from my own experience here at MACNY. MACNY’s statewide initiatives to implement manufacturing and technology-based apprenticeships, including the New York Registered Apprenticeship Manufacturing Partnership (NY-RAMP) and the Manufacturers Intermediary Apprenticeship Program (MIAP). Since last July, NY-RAMP has assisted 159 stakeholders with registering 73 new apprentices. Our innovative approach has now positioned us as a national leader. How did we achieve this level of success so quickly and with limited resources? The answer is simple: group leadership. While specific individuals played critical roles, each would tell you that success was a result of a committed team working together toward a shared goal,” he explained.
Wolken also highlighted MACNY’s expansion across New York State over three years and its service to more than 1,200 Registered Apprentices in hundreds of companies during the past decade—an effort unmatched outside traditional construction and union-sponsored trades in New York.
Reflecting on broader lessons for professionals and organizations alike, Wolken asked readers to consider whether their own successes stemmed from individual efforts or collaborative work: “Think about your own successful experiences at work or in the community. Were they the product of one person’s effort or did they come as the result of a group of leaders and contributors joining forces? I can’t recall a meaningful success story that relied on just one leader, but I can name countless examples where collective leadership created exceptional outcomes.”
He concluded by encouraging current and aspiring leaders to prioritize teamwork: “So, where does the individual leader fit in? Today’s leaders must either form or join teams of committed peers. Leadership is no longer about standing alone but rather about leaning into collaboration. Every one of us is called to lead, and when we embrace that role as part of a team, remarkable, sustainable results become possible. I’ve seen firsthand how organizations thrive when they practice joint leadership. The outcomes are not only impressive — they’re transformative; it’s humbling and inspiring to witness.”
“If you aspire to create meaningful, lasting impact, then you must focus on leading with others. When we lead together, we achieve more than anyone person!” Wolken said.
