EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AS A CRITICAL COMPETENCY IN CONTEMPORARY BUSINESS LEADERSHIP    

Authors : Dr. Neha Patel

Publishing Date : 2026

DOI : NSP/EB/EPARDDIAS/2026/Ch-21 (No DOI-Only Chapter ID)

ISBN : 978-93-49381-92-6

Pages : 188-195

Chapter id : NSP/EB/EPARDDIAS/2026/Ch-21

Abstract : Emotional intelligence (EI) has emerged as a critical leadership competency in contemporary organizations operating in dynamic, uncertain, and highly competitive environments. The ability of leaders to perceive, understand, regulate, and manage emotions effectively plays a pivotal role in shaping team dynamics, organizational climate, and overall performance outcomes. This study examines the influence of emotional intelligence dimensions on leadership effectiveness and associated organizational variables using a sample of 229 managerial respondents drawn from diverse sectors. A structured Emotional Intelligence Scale consisting of 30 items measured on a five-point Likert scale was utilized for data collection. To ensure robustness of findings, multiple statistical techniques were employed, including Reliability Analysis to assess internal consistency, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to validate the measurement model, Hierarchical Regression to determine predictive relationships, Mediation Analysis to examine indirect effects, and MANOVA to explore differences across managerial levels. The results demonstrate that emotional intelligence significantly predicts leadership effectiveness and positively influences team climate, communication quality, and organizational performance indicators. Furthermore, EI was found to mediate the relationship between leadership style and performance, indicating that emotionally intelligent leaders translate leadership behaviors into enhanced outcomes more effectively. The findings also reveal significant differences in EI competencies across managerial levels, with senior managers demonstrating comparatively higher emotional capabilities. The study provides empirical support for positioning emotional intelligence as a strategic leadership asset. The results underscore the importance of integrating EI development into leadership training, performance management systems, and talent development frameworks. By strengthening emotional competencies, organizations can foster resilient leadership, improve employee engagement, and achieve sustainable competitive advantage in complex business environments.

Keywords : Emotional intelligence, leadership effectiveness, managerial competency, organizational performance.

Cite : Patel, N. (2026). Emotional Intelligence As A Critical Competency In Contemporary Business Leadership (1st ed., pp. 188-195). Noble Science Press. https://noblesciencepress.org/chapter/nspebeparddias2026ch-21

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