Scientists at the University College London have identified a leadership gene, known as rs4950. Scientists reported the gene is an inherited DNA sequence associated with people taking charge. People having this gene were 25% more likely to have a supervisory role at their workplace.

Scientists analysed data from the Framingham Heart Study and the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health to come to their conclusion, which was published in Leadership Quarterly.

Leadership behaviour was measured by determining whether or not individuals occupy supervisory roles in the workplace. The scientists found that although acquiring a leadership position mostly depends on developing skills, inheriting the leadership trait can also play an important role.

“We have identified a genotype, called rs4950, which appears to be associated with the passing of leadership ability down through generations,” said lead author Dr Jan-Emmanuel De Neve (UCL School of Public Policy). “The conventional wisdom – that leadership is a skill – remains largely true, but we show it is also, in part, a genetic trait.” 

Dr. De Neve said more research was needed to understand the ways in which rs4950 interacted with other factors, such as a child’s learning environment, in the emergence of leadership.

“If we really want to understand leadership and its effect on organizational, institutional, economic and political outcomes, we must study both nature and nurture,” added Dr De Neve.