The Emotional Intelligence of Leaders

"Feelings (moods and emotions) play a central role in the leadership process.

More specifically, it is proposed that emotional intelligence, the ability to understand and manage moods and emotions in the self and others, contributes to effective leadership in organizations.

There are four major aspects of emotional intelligence:
(1) the appraisal and expression of emotion,
(2) the use of emotion to enhance cognitive processes and decision-making,
(3) knowledge about emotions, and
(4) management of emotions.

I propose how emotional intelligence contributes to effective leadership by focusing on five essential elements of leader effectiveness:
• Development of collective goals and objectives;
• Instilling in others an appreciation of the importance of work activities;
• Generating and maintaining enthusiasm, confidence, optimism, cooperation, and trust;
• Encouraging flexibility in decision making and change; and
• Establishing and maintaining a meaningful identity for an organization."

Uggh, I'll get back to you on the reference for this excerpt. I seem to have misplaced it.