Emotional intelligence and effective leadership

TLDR

Emotional intelligence is widely promoted as a tool for identifying and developing effective leaders, yet empirical evidence supporting its efficacy remains scarce. This study investigates the relationship between emotional intelligence and effective leadership. The authors measured emotional intelligence using a modified Trait Meta Mood Scale in 43 managers and classified effective leaders as those exhibiting transformational rather than transactional styles according to the multifactor leadership questionnaire. Results show that emotional intelligence correlates with multiple facets of transformational leadership, indicating its role in monitoring, responding to subordinates, and fostering a positive work environment.

Abstract

Emotional intelligence has become increasingly popular as a measure for identifying potentially effective leaders, and as a tool for developing effective leadership skills. Despite this popularity, however, there is little empirical research that substantiates the efficacy of emotional intelligence in these areas. The aim of the present paper was to explore the relationship between emotional intelligence and effective leadership. Emotional intelligence was assessed by a modified version of the Trait Meta Mood Scale in 43 participants employed in management roles. Effective leaders were identified as those who displayed a transformational rather than transactional leadership style as measured by the multifactor leadership questionnaire. Emotional intelligence correlated with several components of transformational leadership suggesting that it may be an important component of effective leadership. In particular emotional intelligence may account for how effective leaders monitor and respond to subordinates and make them feel at work.