Marketplace, from American Public Radio (heard on our own WHYY), ran the piece A gene for entrepreneurship? today.  At the heart of the issue of course is the question of nature versus nurture.  They interview one particular family of somewhat claimed entrepreneurial success discussing the parent’s endeavors and that of two of their three children.  They also go on to discuss the issue with Scott Shane, business professor at Case Western Reserve, specifically around his new book “Born Entrepreneurs, Born Leaders: How Your Genes Affect Your Worklife.” Shane goes so far as to say that “About a third to 40 percent of the tendency to be an entrepreneur is innate.”

This was right on time following a piece by Fred Wilson (of our 2nd favorite startup city), Nature vs Nurture and Entrepreneurship.  Wilson was having a discussion with Professor Raffi Amit who runs the Wharton Entrepreneurial Programs.  On the one side Fred asserted that “you can’t teach people to be entrepreneurs but you can teach entrepreneurs business.”  Professor Amit however disagreed stating that his research indicates “there are no unique and defining characteristics of entrepreneurs.”  In other words, you could teach entrepreneurial skills.

What’s interesting are the traits that are mentioned in both articles about entrepreneurs.  I specifically liked that both Fred Wilson and Scott Shane mentioned risk tolerance, independence, and leadership.  Shane indicates such traits to be inherited, and while Wilson seems to agree, he’s waiting to see what Professor Amit’s research looks like.

I’m not a biologist or psychologist, but like many things nature or nurture, I think the truth lies somewhere between.  Nature or nurture alone will only get you so far.  Sure there are exceptions, but an inherent desire to lead won’t amount to much if you’re always taught to follow.  A high tolerance of risk will mean little if you’re taught nothing but to be conservative.

While I don’t know what my genes say, I remember nothing but my parents always working hard, for themselves, creating opportunities for themselves and others around them, with all the risk, and reward on their own shoulders.  I also remember them involving me in a lot of it from an early age, giving me more responsibilities as I got older.  On my own life path, I really never envisioned anything but the same.  So while I could not say one way or another about my nature, I can definitely say there was nurture, and I’m certain it added its own value of some amount.

Whatever the driving force behind it, one thing is still true, the people that have or learned these traits, are the ones you want on your team.