Emotional intelligence and leadership: A review of the progress, controversy, and criticism
International Journal of Organizational Analysis
ISSN: 1934-8835
Article publication date: 4 March 2014
Abstract
Purpose
In 1990, Salovey and Mayer presented a framework for emotional intelligence (EI). This marked the beginning of 20 years of academic research, development, and debate on the subject of EI. A significant amount of previous research has attempted to draw out the relationship between EI and leadership performance. EI has been a uniquely controversial area of the social sciences. EI is based on three simple yet fundamental premises. This manuscript reviews the definitions and models in the field of EI with special emphasis on the Mayer ability model and the connection between EI and leadership. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper takes the form of a literature review.
Findings
EI appears to have a foothold in both our popular vernacular and our academic lexicon. However, it is not entirely clear what future form it will take.
Originality/value
This manuscript explores the current relationship between EI and leadership, discusses the various instruments and scales used to measure the construct, and examines the controversy and criticism surrounding EI. Finally, it illuminates some areas for additional research.
Keywords
Citation
McCleskey, J. (2014), "Emotional intelligence and leadership: A review of the progress, controversy, and criticism", International Journal of Organizational Analysis, Vol. 22 No. 1, pp. 76-93. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-03-2012-0568
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited