Emotional Intelligence and Burnout Among Middle Level Executives

The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the dimensions of emotional intelligence and burnout in middle level managers of private organizations. The sample consisted of 125 middle level managers ranging in age from 23 to 60 years with the mean age of 41.5 years. The data were collected by administering Maslach Burnout Inventory (General Survey) and Multidimensional Measure of Emotional Intelligence (M M E I). Maslach Burnout Inventory was scored for three variables, viz., Exhaustion, Cynicism, and Professional Efficacy. MMEI provided five scores for Empathy, Managing Emotions, Motivating Oneself, Self-awareness, and Handling Relations. Obtained data were analysed by descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlations. The results demonstrated that exhaustion has the significant negative relationship with four measures of emotional intelligence i.e. managing emotions, motivating oneself, self awareness and handing relations. Cynicism has been found to have significant positive correlation with empathy; and negative with managing emotions, motivating oneself, and handling relations. Professional Efficacy yielded significant positive correlations with managing emotions, motivating oneself, self awareness and handling relations. The findings of the present study depict the structured relationship between the dimensions of emotional intelligence and burnout; and are suggestive that cultivation of emotional intelligence can be an effective strategy for reducing burnout and enhancing the professional efficacy among the corporate executives.