Are Leaders Born or Made? What Science Tells Us | Ep 17 | The Science of Leadership

In this episode of @TheScienceofLeadership Tom Collins engages with Dr. Rich Arvey to explore the age-old debate of whether leaders are born or made. Dr. Arvey shares insights from his pioneering research in behavioral genetics, focusing on how individual experiences and genetic predispositions contribute to leadership ability. The discussion delves into the results of twin studies, weaving a fascinating narrative about the sum of genetic and experiential factors in leadership development.

Dr. Arvey is a highly respected figure in the field of organizational psychology and leadership genetics, has spent decades meticulously researching the interplay between genetic predispositions and environmental influences in the development of leadership qualities.

During the podcast, Dr. Arvey emphasized that leadership potential results from both genetic and environmental factors. "Bottom line is that of course it's both, both genetic and environmental influences," he explained. According to study findings, about 30% of leadership potential could be attributed to genetics according to Dr. Arvey's research: "We found there is a 30% of the variation in job satisfaction among people as a genetic component." This statement signifies that while nature plays a substantial role, the bulk of leadership attributes remains shaped by nurture, accounting for 70% of the developmental spectrum.

Takeaways:

• Leadership is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, with around 30% of leadership variation attributable to genetics.

• Intelligence and unique individual experiences play crucial roles in a person's capacity to move into leadership roles.

• Environmental details, such as education and work experiences, significantly shape leadership capabilities.

• Research suggests that genetics might impact leadership indirectly, mediated by factors like personality and intelligence rather than directly determining leadership potential.

• There is no single "leadership gene," and genetic studies generally provide correlations rather than causal evidence.

References

Arvey, R. D., Rotundo, M., Johnson, W., Zhang, Z. & McGue, M. (2006). The determinants of leadership role occupancy: Genetic and personality factors. The Leadership Quarterly, 17(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2005.10.009

Arvey, R. D., Zhang, Z., Avolio, B. J. & Krueger, R. F. (2007). Developmental and Genetic Determinants of Leadership Role Occupancy Among Women. Journal of Applied Psychology, 92(3), 693–706. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.92.3.693

Boerma, M., Coyle, E. A., Dietrich, M. A., Dintzner, M. R., Drayton, S. J., Early, J. L., Edginton, A. N., Horlen, C. K., Kirkwood, C. K., Lin, A. Y. F., Rager, M. L., Shah-Manek, B., Welch, A. C. & Williams, N. T. (2017). Are outstanding leaders born or made? American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 81(3), 58. https://doi.org/10.5688/ajpe81358

Chaturvedi, S., Arvey, R. D., Zhang, Z. & Christoforou, P. T. (2011). Genetic Underpinnings of Transformational Leadership. Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies, 18(4), 469–479. https://doi.org/10.1177/1548051811404891

Chaturvedi, S., Zyphur, M. J., Arvey, R. D., Avolio, B. J. & Larsson, G. (2012). The heritability of emergent leadership: Age and gender as moderating factors. The Leadership Quarterly, 23(2), 219–232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2011.08.004

Johnson, A. M., Vernon, P. A., Harris, J. A. & Jang, K. L. (2004). A Behavior Genetic Investigation of the Relationship Between Leadership and Personality. Twin Research, 7(1), 27–32. https://doi.org/10.1375/twin.7.1.27

Johnson, A. M., Vernon, P. A., McCarthy, J. M., Molson, M., Harris, J. A. & Jang, K. L. (1998). Nature vs nurture: Are leaders born or made? A behavior genetic investigation of leadership style. Twin Research, 1(4), 216–223. https://doi.org/10.1375/twin.1.4.216

Li, W.-D., Arvey, R. D., Zhang, Z. & Song, Z. (2012). Do leadership role occupancy and transformational leadership share the same genetic and environmental influences? The Leadership Quarterly, 23(2), 233–243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2011.08.007

Li, W.-D., Wang, N., Arvey, R. D., Soong, R., Saw, S. M. & Song, Z. (2015). A mixed blessing? Dual mediating mechanisms in the relationship between dopamine transporter gene DAT1 and leadership role occupancy. The Leadership Quarterly, 26(5), 671–686. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2014.12.005

Neve, J.-E. D., Mikhaylov, S., Dawes, C. T., Christakis, N. A. & Fowler, J. H. (2013). Born to lead? A twin design and genetic association study of leadership role occupancy. The Leadership Quarterly, 24(1), 45–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2012.08.001

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