People in leadership positions tend to be more willing to take risks. Chimpanzees show a similar pattern, with greater risk tolerance associated with higher rank in their social groups. A study published in The Leadership Quarterly brings these findings together to explore the relationship between risk taking and social position. Our colleague Kamil Fuławka contributed to the research.

The team analyzed survey data from more than 40,000 people in Germany alongside assessments of 86 chimpanzees by experienced caregivers at two African sanctuaries. The association was stronger in chimpanzees than in humans. One possible explanation is that education, professional qualifications and inherited status offer people routes to positions of influence that depend less on direct competition and risk taking. The study did not test this explanation.

The similarities suggest that the connection between risk taking and social hierarchies may have deep evolutionary roots. However, the findings do not establish whether greater risk tolerance helps individuals reach higher positions or whether social position shapes their willingness to take risks.

By comparing humans and chimpanzees, the study offers a way to investigate patterns that may be shared across different forms of social organization.

👉 Read the full paper here