Just so you know, the model of "alpha wolves" is considered simplistic and outdated in the study of actual wolves. Just one link: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/media/wolves-fact-and-fic....

I've found that when people use "wolf pack" (or "caveman times") explanations, what they're actually doing is using social models that (surprise!) reflect the culture that created them: humans in the twentieth century.

Few people in such a meeting are "risk[ing] everything".

I've quit jobs rather than doing sketchy things. For people in these industries, there's always a next job.

I don't think this is a question of someone doing "sketchy" things. Its a question of someone in the room questioning a morally questionable action, being implemented by a part of the organization as a whole. Quiting over it, or whatever likely doesn't even have an effect. Someone on the team required to implement it is going to follow the bosses orders. This appears to have happened a few times with members of the US president's cabinet over the past few years.

So, its more a "stay and fight" or "get rolled over and threaten/quit" decision. I'm betting most people just weigh the monthly mortgage payment against that and they raise the issue, but it doesn't get pushed beyond the discussion phase. If this goes on long enough, they switch jobs, or they become that person that just keeps their head down and do what they are told.

If you're just gonna keep doing it, you're not "staying and fighting" at all.

You don't have to be the just-following-orders guy, is what I'm saying. Somebody else might--that doesn't have to be you, and shouldn't be.