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It is widely recognized that within mammalian societies an individual may be simultaneously a leader of collective behavior and hold a position of high status. Drawing from a comparative perspective, we recently suggested that some leaders are of low status or emerge in egalitarian societies lacking dominance hierarchies [1]. Furthermore, we noted that some high-ranking individuals, despite their priority access to resources and ability to evoke submissive behaviors or win dyadic competitions, have little or no influence on collective group behavior [1].

Importantly, our recent article identifies some conceptual and empirical challenges regarding status and leadership when viewed through a comparative lens. Biological and social science literatures sometimes apply different definitions, which hinders progress. Dual models of human status [2] are based on three components:(i) priority access to limited resources,(ii …