All social groups have an alpha and betas. And this applies to all animals whether they are humans, apes or a pack of dogs. Dogs are easier to understand since they are less complex then humans. The alpha dog might be the biggest and strongest dog, but if he just bullies the other dogs to follow him and does not provide any other value then what incentive do the other dogs have to follow him ? The dogs will just wander off and find another pack to join. The value the alpha provides is he strategies the dogs to hunt properly and then the other dogs benefit from eating his leftovers.

The alpha dog never hangs out with the rest of the dogs, notice how he is always a certain distance appart.

Let's have a human example. A British officer who is a product of an alpha school which built an empire is a good example. He is friendly to his men, but a bit standoffish. He never eats with the men, he will eat off to one side. He has been conditioned never to show fear, that way in a time of crisis the men will gain confidence. So lets say the area getting shelled, he will make an understatement in his snotty posh accent. Sgt there seems to be a wee bit of bother outside. Have one of the boys brew me up a cup of tea, I am a bit thirsty. Then when he gets his tea, he will appear to calmly drink it and then make off hand mocking remarks like, oh that one landed a little close. Mind it does not knock over the tea pot.

The Brit officer in reality might be pretty close to shitting his pants, but on the exterior he ensures his uniform is meticulous and he maintains an appearance of calm no matter what happens. This is the product of an alpha school, and this is how a small island of only a few millions ruled 1/3 of the world.

But my group is too beta you cry. Well you can't get have a group much more beta then what Ghangis Khan started out with. Seen as a potential rival to power, as a young man him and his family where thrown out of his tribe. Fisrt he managed to lead his small group so it survived, and then he started to round up other outcasts to his group. Eventually this turned into the golden horde which conquered 1/3+ of the known world. An alpha takes what he has on hand and uses it.

An alpha does not try and change individuals, instead he sees what they are good at, and then sees how it can be put to use benefiting him. In exchange he allows the beta to each his scraps. So it can be argued that it is a mutually beneficial relationship, the beta offers value and the alpha offers value.

Being alpha is more then just pumping iron, and having a height greater then 6 feet. Muscle is cheap, you can buy it by the pound. Whether it is a fictional character like the Godfather (who is based to some degree on real characters) or a real life character like Ghanghis Khan. Ask yourself this question. Even when both of these men where past their physical prime, they where in their 70s why did the muscle bound hulks continue to follow them ? They still continued to get their advice ?

If your answer is money, it is the wrong answer. The godfather's world and Ghanghis Khan's world money had very little value per say. The heavily muscled hunk could have just killed him, there are no rules in this world.

So think about that for a while ☺