EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE IN LEADERSHIP: INSIGHTS FROM RECENT RESEARCH

Abstract

Emotional intelligence (EI) has emerged as a pivotal attribute in effective leadership, influencing decision-making, team dynamics, and organizational success. This paper synthesizes recent empirical and theoretical research on the role of emotional intelligence in leadership across diverse contexts, including corporate, educational, and healthcare settings. Findings reveal that leaders with high emotional intelligence demonstrate enhanced self-awareness, empathy, adaptability, and interpersonal communication, which collectively contribute to improved employee engagement, conflict resolution, and organizational performance. The study also highlights various models and assessment tools used to measure EI and explores interventions that foster emotional intelligence in leadership development programs. By bridging psychological theory with practical application, this review emphasizes the critical need to embed EI competencies in leadership frameworks to navigate complex, emotionally charged environments and lead with authenticity and resilience.