GENETIC FOUNDATIONS AND NEUROBIOLOGICAL PATHWAYS OF LEADERSHIP: INTEGRATING BEHAVIORAL GENETICS, NEUROPLASTICITY, AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGY

This paper presents a descriptive case study that examines the connections among genetics, neurobiology, and organizational leadership. The research involved 49 participants, located in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The genetic marker SNP rs4950, previously found to be associated with leadership and other personality traits, was investigated, along with socio-economic variables, using the 16 Personalities behavioral inventory. An integrative methodology of a qualitative and quantitative nature was used, consisting of a genetic test, the 16 Personalities behavioral inventory, and statistical analysis. The results show a prevalence of Sentinel-type personality and confirm findings from large-scale studies on leadership regarding the genetic marker rs4950 and higher education and income among leaders. However, there was no statistical association between the rs4950 marker and the personality types. The research is innovative and is expected to open space for discussion on behavioral genetics, neuroplasticity, and endocrinology in relation to leadership, as well as on organizational strategies, ethical guidelines to be considered, and suggestions for further studies.