Abstract:
In the recent past Emotional intelligence has evoked a lot of attention in leadership. While
intelligence quotient and technical skills contribute considerably to leadership, emotional
intelligence is the gold standard for leadership. This study explores the differences in
emotional intelligence scores between the mid-level managers and of the team leaders.
Therefore, a quantitative approach was adopted. Correlational study design was employed to
explore the emotional intelligence scores between the two levels of leadership in a private city
hospital. An adopted seven- Likert scale emotional intelligent inventory; self-administered tool
was used in data collection from the two groups of leaders. Data was analysed using Statistical
Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The results of the two groups was generated and
correlated, and the standard deviation was identified. The findings of the study demonstrated
that the mid-level managers demonstrated higher levels of emotional intelligence score in some
facets like flexibility with a standard deviation of 38.1, and optimism with a standard deviation
of 17.7. On the contrary, the team leaders demonstrated higher emotional intelligence score
on emotional self-control with a standard deviation of 2.1 and an initiative with a standard
deviation of 3.5. The conclusion was drawn that, in deed, emotional intelligence is a valuable
construct in leadership. The senior leaders had higher emotional intelligence scores than the
junior leaders. There is need for further study using variant triangulated tools to measure
emotional intelligence comprehensively.