Essay 1 - Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence and its implications when applied to organisations have been reported in the literature since the early 1990s. The strong correlation between emotional intelligence and managerial skills has instigated speculation as to whether managers must possess proficient emotional intelligence, namely, interpersonal and intrapersonal skills in the areas of self-awareness, self-regulation, self-motivation, empathy and social awareness (Rahim et al. 2002), in order to manage successfully in the workplace. The purpose of this essay is to explore the role emotional intelligence plays in one’s ability to effectively manage a workplace. Managers must possess a high degree of emotional intelligence to manage successfully for a myriad of reasons. Managers who exhibit high levels of emotional intelligence and an awareness of how their actions will impact others are more proficient at resolving conflict within the workplace. Furthermore, a high level of emotional intelligence within the workplace, promoted by managers who encourage said environment, increases the employee’s job satisfaction which in turn results in greater productivity. A manager who can effectively communicate, conscious of the emotions of others will ultimately prove to be a more successful leader in the workplace.

A self-awareness of how one’s actions can influence others, inherent of a manager’s high emotional intelligence allows them to manage successfully within the workplace by allowing effective conflict resolution. Emotions play a crucial role in conflict, as ‘all conflict is inherently emotional’ (Jordan & Troth 2004, pp. 200) .The relationship between emotional intelligence and conflict management strategies has been explained by various organisational theories, the findings of which have many practical applications within the workplace. Those who possess a higher degree of emotional intelligence are able to resolve conflict more effectively, by adopting an approach which can