Emotional Intelligence and Leadership Effectiveness: The Mediating Influence of Collaborative Behaviors

Leadership effectiveness can be divided into two broad categories that include getting along behaviors (teamwork and empowerment of others) and/or getting ahead behaviors (visioning, energizing, designing and rewarding). This study examines the effects of emotional intelligence on getting along and getting ahead leadership behaviors at work. Results from an analysis of a dataset derived from a 360° leadership behavior survey completed by 929 managers indicated that emotional intelligence has a significant effect on collaborative behaviors at work, and collaborative behaviors directly affect the inspirational side of leadership performance. Further, getting along behaviors were found to fully mediate the relationship between emotional intelligence and getting ahead behaviors. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.