Exploring the Indirect Effect of Emotional Intelligence on Interpersonal Conflict Under FLMs Leadership

Abstract

The purposefulness of this study is to investigate the relationship between leadership styles of frontline managers (FLM) and interpersonal conflict, with direct and indirect intervention of emotional intelligence (EI). Research data were obtained from 211 frontline managers from banking sector of Pakistan. SmartPLS 2.0, a second-generation structural equation modeling technique was used to test and verify hypotheses. Results indicate that leadership styles are significantly associated with interpersonal conflict. Using High EI can negatively moderates interpersonal conflicts through transformational and transactional leadership style. However, the least preferred style of FLM is laissez-faire style and found to be insignificant with interpersonal conflict. This research provides imperious insight towards significance of FLM in banking industry. They should be trained to overcome interpersonal conflicts; appropriate cognizance of a conflict before it erupts and escalates can be an exquisite skill. This investigation contributes to the literature by identifying association of leadership styles with EI to cater interpersonal conflict in a non-western context. Current study enhances mindfulness of FLM by practicing emotional intelligence factor with leadership styles to overcome interpersonal conflict.