Wolves

I have always been fascinated by wolves. The Alphas are usually the strongest members of the pack and are able to demostrate uncompromising leadership qualities in organizing the pack to hunt as a group. Wolves display remarkable team spirit and cooperation during the hunt. So perfectly is the execution that the pack acts like a single animal.

When the Alphas are not up to mark with their performance, challengers will arise from the ranks to take their positions. The most admired trait of the feared predator, is the animals' perseverance and endurance, they are known to stalk and pursue their prey for days over long distances. Driven by hunger, they are known to killed everything that came their way, including larger predators such lion and bear.

Genghis Khan, the once ruler of largest land empire ever known - four times the size of the empire of Alexander the Great and twice the size of the Roman Empire, claimed to the descendants of the Clan of Grey Wolf. He fully displayed the animal's character traits and natural prowess, in the strong belief in himself and the resilience to overcome early failures.

In 1162, Genghis Khan was born, as Temujin, to a Mongolian tribal chieftain, in the harsh, nomadic grassland, clutching a blood clot - a sign that he was destined to be a great man. From young, Temujin had always believed in his own ability despite early failures in life.

• his father poisoned to death by a rival tribe, when he was only 12
• his tribe was deserted and left only for his family to fend for themselves
• his bride was taken captives by another rival tribe
• his blood-brother revolted against him

After his father was murdered Temujin experienced betrayal by his own people: "Our tribe deserted us. Men are loyal only to a strong leader. They left us with nothing. We had no friends but our own shadows. Like the wolf, we endured and from hardship I grew strong. Now I cared only for the strength in a man's heart. A warrior does not win a battle by virtue of his birth."

Temujin rewarded ability and loyalty alone. Despite born of royal blood, he never believed that high rank should only be reserved for aristocrats. Among his generals, few are of noble birth:

- Murhali was the son of a herdsman, who rose the ranks to become his right-hand man

- Subutai was the son of a blacksmith, whose famous expeditions bring the horde into Europe

- Jebe was a captured general from rival tribe, who shot him in the neck that nearly killed him

He told his warriors: "They say the Mongols are descended from the wolf. Like the wolf we are famous for our ferocity and courage but to win a battle we have to fight fiercely not as individual warriors but as parts of a whole."

We, too, need to believe in our own ability, power and destiny.