Stuttaford

For an excellent summary of the link between driven leaders, power and sexuality, let me leave the final word to Dr Thomas Stuttaford (medical correspondent for The Times):

Harold Macmillan, the former Prime Minister, was an Edwardian figure who dominated British politics for ten years. He was, despite his paternalistic appearance, wise and liberal.

Once, when politicians were condemning a prominent colleague for a sexual misdemeanour, Macmillan firmly rebuked them. He said that a man’s political power was in proportion to his sexuality. It is, therefore, unrealistic to expect people who have risen to the top, in whatever highly competitive world, to display the same level of sexual reticence as someone who lacks ambition, drive and leadership. Macmillan’s tolerance extended to his own household – the understanding with which he treated his wife’s long liaison with Sir Robert Boothby is legendary.

He was not a scientist and never hazarded a guess at why leadership, whether displayed in industry, commerce, politics, the Armed Forces or on the games field, is so closely allied to sexuality. Personality is influenced by many factors, but among them is the level of the hormone testosterone in the blood.

This level not only helps to determine sexuality, but also contributes to a person’s endowment with “type A” characteristics. These are the personality traits that make for dominance, ambition, aggressiveness and competitiveness – and for making headlines, whether on the political pages or in the Sunday tabloids.

Those who have these characteristics are goal–orientated, fast–talking people in a hurry. They also attempt to monopolise the conversation – and if possible the attention of the most sexually desirable potential partners.

Their tactics are not the same as those of the savage but powerful caveman or woman, but the end result is the same. Contrary to the adage that money is the modern man’s muscle, it is more likely to be power.

The effects of testosterone are more obvious in men than in women, but the hormone is equally important in both. Those same qualities in women are often the result of a shift in the normal testosterone / oestrogen balance towards the male pattern. This may have been the result of early environment, hereditary factors or medication (for instance, when endometriosis or inadequate libido is treated). After the menopause, oestrogen levels fall naturally, so that the testosterone level is proportionally greater. The woman empowered by the change in her hormone balance can then more readily dominate the magistrates’ bench, the county council or a quango. Testosterone affects all the tissues of the body. Although it seeks out the primary and secondary sexual characteristics, thereby giving added substance to the male genitalia, a muscular body and a potentially luxuriant beard, it is not a well–guided missile. It also affects the brain and the autonomic nervous system so that those with a high testosterone blood level are likely to be as determined and competitive as a stag in autumn, and to react just as instinctively.

The testosterone–rich want their way, whether they are in the boardroom, the Cabinet or between the sheets. As Harold Macmillan would have understood, a government of eunuchs, or even those with a low level of testosterone who are therefore passive, submissive and not very colourful, can no more lead a modern country or army than they could have commanded a Viking longboat and colonised much of the Western world.

Our country is indebted to Nelson, Wellington, Palmerston, Kitchener, Lloyd George, Edward VII (a hugely underrated monarch) and many other famous or relatively unknown politicians, industrialists, generals and athletes.

However, they – and even our revered Queen Victoria – may have had a few awkward moments when explaining their private lives to St Peter and St Michael at the pearly gates.

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