Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace : Application to Leadership

Abstract

Traditionally, intelligence was viewed as cognitive mental ability consisting primarily of two relatively narrow dimensions: mathematical/logical and verbal/linguistic, or IQ. Howard Gardner expanded this narrow perspective to include multiple intelligences. Later, Daniel Goleman introduced a new kind of ability, emotional intelligence (EI), the capacity for understanding one’s own and others’ emotions. The multiple intelligences construct, and emotional intelligence in particular, have received a great deal of attention recently, particularly with respect to leadership capacity. There is some evidence that the characteristics of EI (e.g., self-awareness, self-management, self-motivation, social awareness, and relationship management) may be a better predictor of leadership performance and success than the traditional “intelligence quotient,” or IQ. When