Emotional Intelligence: Does Emotional Intelligence Scores Differ in Variant Nursing Leadership Levels?

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.