This is the first study examining the developmental roots of leadership potential in a longitudinal framework from age 2 to 29 years. Data are derived from the Fullerton Longitudinal Study. Using structural equation modeling (extraversion) and intelligence (IQ) on adult social skills and leadership potential were investigated. In addition we examined their joint effect on leadership potential using both a variable and a pattern approach.

The relation between adolescent extraversion and adult leadership potential was completely mediated by adult social skills. Adolescent IQ had neither a direct nor an indirect relationship with adult leadership potential nor did it interact with extraversion in predicting adult leadership potential.

Utilizing longitudinal data from early childhood through adulthood we delineated a specific developmental leadership potential spanning the childhood with temperamental approach/withdrawal shows stability throughout childhood and leads to extraversion in adolescencewhich in turn relates to leadership potential in adulthood via adult social skills.