What is an Alpha Female (and Could You Be One Yourself)?

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Breaking down this powerful personality type

Co-authored by Alexandra Janelli and Amber Crain

Last Updated: November 20, 2024 Fact Checked

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Definition

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Personality Traits

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Signs

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How to Be an Alpha Woman

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Video

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Expert Interview

"Alpha female" is a phrase that gets used a lot in pop culture, but what does it really mean? Is there actual science behind the concept, or is it just a social construct? If you're looking for answers, you've come to the right place. In this article, we'll explain exactly what "alpha female" means, outline the personality traits that define this type of woman, and touch on how to embody these traits yourself.

Things You Should Know

An alpha female is a strong and successful woman who publicly embraces her leadership skills.
Common alpha female traits include high levels of confidence, assertiveness, and ambition.
To be an alpha female, work on defining and achieving your goals. Communicate openly and set boundaries to protect your time and energy.

Section 1 of 4:

What is an alpha female?

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An alpha female is a strong and successful woman, typically in a leadership role. Alpha females are talented and ambitious women who publicly embrace their leadership skills. These women usually occupy positions of authority in their communities and workplaces. A high level of confidence is this woman's defining trait and it allows her to lead with ease.^{[1]
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- In this context, "alpha" refers to the highest-ranking individual in a social hierarchy. The term was first used by research scientists as a way to describe animal behavior—an alpha is the leader of the pack. When "alpha" is used to describe human behavior, though, the word is more cultural than scientific.^{[2]
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- If you fit into the “alpha woman” category, then it sounds like you’re super strong and successful—we love that! Hierarchical thinking can be empowering, but some feel that this kind of rigid type-casting is limiting and can leave people feeling like they have to change to fit in (which absolutely isn't true—you're great just the way you are).

Section 2 of 4:

Personality Traits of an Alpha Female

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Self-confident Alpha females feel confident in most situations and rarely (if ever) doubt their skills. These women have faith in their personal abilities, qualities, and judgment—you won’t catch them doubting themselves or shying away from the spotlight.^{[3]
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- For example, if an alpha woman is asked to give a group presentation on a topic she doesn't know well, she'll accept (even if it's short notice). She knows she can quickly and easily prepare for the presentation, and she's confident in her ability to speak in front of others.
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Extroverted These confident women thrive in social situations. They’re wonderful speakers and people are naturally drawn to them. They work extremely well in collaborative environments where they can put their unique skills to good use.
- For instance, an alpha female will make the rounds at a social engagement and try to speak to everyone in the room before she leaves. In work situations, she's often in charge of managing group projects because of her collaboration skills.
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Natural leader Alpha females are the first ones to step up when a situation requires a leader or decision maker. In the workplace, they quickly and organically rise to positions of management. Other people look to alphas for guidance and support, and these fearless women are trusted to handle decisions for larger groups.
- For example, in her personal life, an alpha female is the one creating a full and detailed itinerary for her family's next vacation. In the workplace, she manages teams or speaks on behalf of her entire department.
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Ambitious Alpha females are highly driven and goal-oriented in all aspects of their lives—in the workplace, in their personal lives, and beyond. In the workplace, an alpha typically excels in her role early on, sets lofty goals, and has no problem achieving those goals. She climbs the career ladder with ease and never stops learning new skills that take her higher.
- In her career, an alpha female pays attention to new tech and how industries change. She doesn't hesitate to learn the new skills she needs to adapt and navigate what's to come.
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Successful Alpha female personalities tend to pursue their goals relentlessly, so they typically find the success they’re striving for. Their success makes them inspirational to be around, and they’re well-respected and highly regarded by their peers, colleagues, and community members.
- An alpha female plots out her goals meticulously, one step at a time. If something doesn't work out the way she envisioned, she tries it another way without hesitation. She never gives up on her goals.
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Powerful With success and leadership comes power—and alpha females have plenty of it. These strong women are in positions of authority that earn them power and respect. Alpha women are notoriously strong and resilient people both mentally and physically.^{[4]
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- For example, alpha women are often in executive positions in the workplace. They aren't afraid to make tough decisions about delicate matters and her colleagues admire and respect that.
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Assertive These women say what’s on their minds and they don’t hesitate to give their opinions without sugar coating them. Alphas call situations like they see them, stand up to people who challenge them, and take the lead when they need to. ^{[5]
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- For instance, an alpha woman isn't afraid to say “no” if she doesn't have the bandwidth to take on another project. She's protective of her time and energy.
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Sexually dominant Alpha females are known for being alluring and sexy, even when they don’t fit the mold for being traditionally attractive. They're usually perceived to be more sexually active than other women and they initiate sexual encounters fearlessly. In the bedroom, alpha women like to be in control.^{[6]
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- Alpha women are often dominant in the bedroom. They'll seek out partners who enjoy being submissive so they can continue their preferred dynamic.

Section 3 of 4:

Signs You’re an Alpha Female

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You’re in a leadership role. Do you make great decisions under pressure and often find yourself taking the reins in group situations? Are you in a management position at your job (or well on your way to it)? Do others look to you for guidance, even in situations where you aren’t officially in charge?
- If you can say yes to any (or all) of these, you’re a natural leader—and that's one of the defining characteristics of an alpha female.
When you walk into a room, people notice. You draw them into your orbit easily and you love to chat with anyone who can hold their own in a conversation. People tend to seek you out for help or advice, as well, even when you don't know them that well.
You know you’ve got the skills to navigate any situation. Because you have so much faith in yourself and your abilities, you rarely lose your cool—even when you’re faced with a situation that you have no familiarity with. You’re able to roll with the punches and forge ahead without fear.^{[7]
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Do you love to collaborate and often find yourself bringing people together to complete a common goal? Have your friends, peers, or colleagues made it a point to tell you that you’ve inspired them in the past? Do people seem to try harder when you’re around? Alpha female energy can have all of these effects on others.
You have a daily to-do list, and a weekly one, and a monthly one, too. You’re all about goal-setting and you know that it takes organization and careful planning to make it happen. Once you set your sights on a goal, you work as hard as you possibly can and you don’t stop working until you achieve it.^{[8]
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You love to learn. You’re always learning new skills in your professional life and you love taking on new hobbies, as well. Even though your schedule is full and you’re always on the go, you always make time to learn new things because gaining knowledge is one of your true passions in life.

Section 4 of 4:

Becoming an Alpha Female

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Decide what your goals are and go after them. Alpha females are meticulous goal setters, and this requires forethought and strategic planning. Set aside some time to think about what you truly want in life, both in the short-term and the long-term. Then, break each goal up into smaller, more manageable tasks and start working those tasks into your schedule.^{[9]
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- Writing down your goals can help you sort through your thoughts and make your goals feel more concrete.
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Talk about your goals with other people. This is especially important in the workplace, since your superiors are the ones who make decisions. In a perfect world, they’d choose you for a promotion because you’re clearly the best person for the job, but in practice, people usually have to express their desire to move up in their organization and ask for a promotion directly.^{[10]
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- If it’s too early to make your move into management, ask your supervisors about training programs that can prepare you for leadership.
Alpha females are plainspoken, upfront, and direct. You don’t necessarily need to elaborate on things unless you’re specifically asked to—direct, concise words speak volumes. Alphas also put weight behind their words and communicate in a positive tone that implies action.^{[11]
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Try to keep your emotions in check. There’s nothing wrong with showing how you feel, but there’s a time and a place for it. If you show strong emotions in the workplace, your colleagues may question your ability to get the job done. It’s an unfair stigma, but emotions are generally associated with instability, and alpha females know that looking strong will help them accomplish their goals.
- You don’t need to suppress your emotions behind closed doors or around people who are close to you, but always maintain your composure in public.