“willpower and intelligence are two of the strongest predictors of coalitional value according to Coalitional Value Theory (CVT), but they are not the only ones.

According to the theory:

Coalitional value = how much a person marginally improves the success and fitness of a group.

High coalitional value leads to prestige (freely given deference), status, and influence within the coalition.

Why intelligence and willpower matter so much:

• Intelligence helps a person see more connections, make better predictions, solve complex problems, and coordinate effectively. In modern environments (and likely in ancestral ones too), this is an extremely high-value trait. Intelligent people can generate more resources, better strategies, and better outcomes for the group.
• Willpower (closely related to Conscientiousness, grit, and self-control) determines reliability, consistency, and the ability to follow through on commitments even when it’s difficult. A highly intelligent person with low willpower is often less valuable than a moderately intelligent person with high willpower, because the latter actually delivers results over time.

Together, high intelligence + high willpower create a very strong combination for coalitional value in almost any group (work, friendships, romantic relationships, tribes, companies, etc.).”