Developmental and genetic determinants of leadership role occupancy among women.

Abstract

The genetic and developmental influences on leadership role occupancy were investigated using a sample of 178 fraternal and 214 identical female twins. Two general developmental factors were identified, one involving formal work experiences and the other a family experiences factor hypothesized to influence whether women move into positions of leadership in organizations. Results indicated that 32% of the variance in leadership role occupancy was associated with heritability. The 2 developmental factors also showed significant correlations with leadership role occupancy. However, after genetic factors were partialed out, only the work experience factor was significantly related to leadership role occupancy. Results are discussed in terms of prior life events and experiences that may trigger leadership development and the limitations of this study.

Educational Considerations, vol. 37(1) Full Issue

“…The authors found that for 238 male identical twin pairs and 188 fraternal twin pairs reared together, the proportion of variance due to genetic influences on the leadership role occupancy scale was 0.30. Similar findings were found in a study using 89 fraternal and 107 identical female twin pairs conducted by Arvey, Zhang, Avolio, and Krueger (2007). These results indicated that around 70% of the variance in leadership emergence and effectiveness could be attributed to non-genetic factors, namely developmental experiences.…”

Overlapping semantics of leadership and heroism: Expectations of omnipotence, identification with ideal leaders and disappointment in real managers

“…1841). The possible role of genetics in the «born leader» remains a popular topic today among lay people and scholars alike (Arvey, Rotundo, Johnson, Zhang, & McGue, 2006;Arvey, Zhang, Avolio, & Krueger, 2007 ;Chaturvedi, Zyphur, Arvey, Avolio, & Larsson, 2012). One of the notable differences between a «hero» and a «good leader» is the expectation that a «hero» is created predominantly by innate factors, whereas education seems more important for the good leader.…”

The Effectiveness of Leadership Skills Development Program for University Students / Üniversite Öğrencilerine Yönelik Liderlik Becerileri Geliştirme Programının Etkililiği

“…It was concluded in a meta-analysis study on leadership development programs that the programs had a positive effect of 66% and it was stated that positive outcomes were observed in the cognitive, affective or behavioral areas (Avolio, Reichard, Hannah, Walumbwa and Chan, 2009). It is indicated that while approximately 30% of change is attributed to some genetic factors in the emergence of leadership roles, 70% is required to be explained by non-genetic factors (Arvey, Zhang, Avolio and Krueger, 2007).…”