Contributions of emotional intelligence in facing leadership challenges in nursing

Abstract

This study aims to analyze nurses’ perceptions regarding leadership challenges and the elements of emotional intelligence necessary for professional practice. It is a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive study, with the participation of nine nurses who held leadership positions between 2021 and 2024. Data collection took place between November 2023 and January 2024 through remotely conducted semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis resulted in two categories: Leadership Challenges in Nursing and Emotional Intelligence in Leadership Practice. It was identified that achieving and maintaining leadership positions is a challenge, especially in people management, with the pleasure of dealing with people being the main motivator for assuming such a position. Among the elements of emotional intelligence, self-awareness was highlighted as a source of motivation for leadership, but also as a challenge within the leadership process. Other aspects considered essential included social skills, motivation, empathy, and communication. It is concluded that emotional intelligence is a differentiating factor for success in nursing leadership, with people management being the greatest challenge and, at the same time, the main motivation for leading. The most frequently cited elements - self-awareness, social skills, motivation, empathy, and communication - were recognized as fundamental for the exercise of leadership.