Whereas testosterone is the primary reproductive hormone in males, estradiol (an estrogen) is the predominant estrogen found in pre-menopausal females and may have greater consequences for status seeking in females. Some evidence suggests that the association between the testosterone × cortisol interaction and behavior is stronger in males than females (Dekkers et al., 2019). We recommend that future studies test for testosterone × cortisol associations on behavioral or implicit measures of status-seeking motives (e.g. the picture story exercise; Stanton & Schultheiss, 2007), or on direct measures of status attainment. To provide more certainty as to whether a specific dual-hormone finding is reproducible, we recommend that researchers conduct high-powered pre-registered replication studies that examine associations between dual-hormone interactions and the same behavioral outcome measure used in a previous study. We recommend that researchers adopt pre-registration or registered reports in new studies that are being planned to test the dual hormone hypothesis. As such, there are new opportunities for discovery on associations between these dual-hormone interactions, status-seeking behaviors and actual status attainment, as well as better understanding the causal pathways that explain these associations. The results did not provide strong evidence for a testosterone × cortisol interaction in line with the dual-hormone hypothesis. According to the dual-hormone hypothesis, testosterone’s association with status-relevant behavior depends on cortisol levels, specifically that the positive association between testosterone and status-seeking behavior is more robust when cortisol levels are low1 (Mehta & Josephs, 2010), while this association is attenuated when cortisol levels are high. We found that in females, high levels of cortisol did not accompany the risk involved in maintaining a leadership position in coordinated activities that involve risk. In most cases, therefore, we were unable to examine male leaders’ testosterone and cortisol interaction in leadership that involves risk. We expected the hair samples to represent baseline measurements of hormone levels, and therefore suitable to be correlated with behaviors that are displayed over a long period of time such as leadership. Consequently, the close social associations among hyrax females might make leadership less risky for them, and therefore less stressful, and allow for more female leaders to influence group activities. Hyrax leaders, however, had low levels of cortisol and high levels of testosterone, and this interaction of the two hormones was similar to the original interaction suggested by Mehta & Josephs6. Leadership may contribute to testosterone and cortisol interaction, or testosterone and cortisol interactions may lead to leadership behavior. We also found an interaction between these hormone levels and age at the low-risk scenarios. The challenge hypothesis has played a central role in predicting the nature of testosterone’s relationships with status seeking in a variety of animals. More research is necessary at the intersection of hormones, immune functioning, and status-relevant behavior to determine the dual-hormone hypothesis’ implications for health. Specifically, the SL-ICHH posits that testosterone reduces the immune system’s effectiveness in responding to certain challenges and produces secondary sex characteristics (e.g., plumage in birds, facial morphology in humans), but only when cortisol levels are low. Another future direction dual-hormone hypothesis research could pursue is examining the joint effects of testosterone and cortisol on immune functioning and health. Additionally, they have a higher likelihood of being chosen as leaders within these groups. However, groups generally prefer leaders that do not exceed in intelligence the prowess of average member by a wide margin, as they fear that high intelligence may be translated to differences in communication, trust, interests, and values. Individuals with higher intelligence exhibit superior judgement, higher verbal skills (both written and oral), quicker learning and acquisition of knowledge, and are more likely to emerge as leaders. Such people communicate their ideas in more robust ways, are better able to read the politics of a situation, are less likely to lose control of their emotions, are less likely to be inappropriately angry or critical, and in consequence are more likely to emerge as leaders. Individuals with dominant personalities (they describe themselves as high in the desire to control their environment and influence other people, and are likely to express their opinions in a forceful way) are more likely to act as leaders in small-group situations. Individuals who are more aware of their personality qualities, including their values and beliefs, and are less biased when processing self-relevant information, are more likely to be accepted as leaders. Leadership emergence is the idea that people born with specific characteristics become leaders, and those without these characteristics do not become leaders. Whereas leadership is the forward-looking drive to inspire change, seize opportunities, and empower people at all levels through vision and behavior, rather than relying on a few individuals at the top. The nation in which leadership takes place may also affect men's and women's leadership behaviors, although the effect of nationality has been stronger than the effect of gender in multiple studies. In conclusion, understanding the impact of testosterone, cortisol, and hormone balance on leadership skills is essential. By incorporating stress management techniques and regulating hormone levels, leaders can navigate challenging situations and enhance their overall leadership capabilities. HRT helps to regulate hormone balance, including testosterone levels, to enhance leadership skills and performance. Understanding the influence of testosterone on behavioral patterns can empower individuals to develop their leadership skills strategically. Results showed individuals with high testosterone and low cortisol levels come across as confident, while those with high testosterone and high cortisol levels anxious. Studies have shown that testosterone plays a crucial role in enabling leadership skills and qualities, ultimately contributing to effective leadership. A disruption in either Axis will result in decreased T levels, elevated stress levels, higher cortisol (a stress hormone), and mood disruptions. "It’s not about how good of a leader you think you are; rather, it’s an objective measure of leadership success — how many subordinates you have under you." No women participated in the study because testosterone levels do not fluctuate much in women. Testosterone is more than just a hormone, it regulates the most basic functions and capacities of a man’s physiology. One of the biggest myths around testosterone is that it HAS TO drop as you age. Now we don’t need to make advanced math equations to figure out that when T levels are dropping, what is considered "normal" also changes. Another study, from 1992, was already ringing alarm bells "Evidence for decreasing quality of semen during past 50 years" . It’s not a coincidence that most minerals and vitamins have a testosterone link. And a hypothalamus-pituitary link to testosterone. So here again we have a cholesterol link to testosterone. Low vitamin D levels and little natural exposure will end up putting a cap (ceiling) on your T levels. Now it stands to reason that when you carry a lot of excess body fat these foods are not going to solve the problem. T levels go down because of the fat and then get aromatized because of higher aromatase levels.