For the later part, would there be different solutions for different animals?

Yes, I think so -- for fishers, I'd say it's something like resourcefulness. But I am limited to guessing when it comes to other animals. Cats: grace, subtlety? Coyotes: adaptability? Rabbits, horses: community, speed? Rats, mice: pervasiveness, infiltration? Corvids: Inventiveness, inquisitiveness? ;)

As far as power, specifically, is concerned: apex predators would probably not represent a solution to power, but rather an acceptance, glorification or manifestation thereof. They would not have the indirect strength you mention, but rather the direct strength.

The matter of struggle, victory and failure turned out to be important enough to merit a new entry.