Integrating trait and ability EI in predicting transformational leadership
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the moderating role played by follower's trait emotional intelligence (EI) in the relationship between follower's ability EI and transformational leadership.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors hypothesised that there is a positive moderating effect of follower's trait EI on the relationship between follower's ability EI and the transformational leadership rating they receive from their supervisor. Using moderated hierarchical linear regression this hypothesis was tested using a random sample of 208 supervisor-subordinate dyads from three organisations in Ireland covering FMCG, banking and financial Services.
Findings
After controlling for the effects of personality, moderated hierarchical regression analysis showed that follower ability EI significantly predicted transformational leadership ratings and that this relationship was positively moderated by follower trait EI.
Research limitations/implications
This study presents a path-finding, integrative model linking trait and ability EI which offers an expanded understanding of the phenomenon of EI in relation to leadership.
Practical implications
The findings show how trait and ability EI can be used in concert by HR and leadership development professionals to optimally design EI-based leadership development programmes.
Originality/value
This is the first study to integrate the trait and ability approaches to EI and to show how they interact in predicting transformational leadership. This study also took the perspective of leadership as assessed by the leader rather than the follower, which has been the norm in most previous studies.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to acknowledge the contributions and advice they received from Andrew Kakabadse and Pat Gibbbons. The authors are especially grateful for the input they received on earlier drafts of this paper from Peter Salovey and David Caruso.
Citation
Foster, C. and Roche, F. (2014), "Integrating trait and ability EI in predicting transformational leadership", Leadership & Organization Development Journal, Vol. 35 No. 4, pp. 316-334. https://doi.org/10.1108/LODJ-07-2012-0087
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited