Examining the Relationship between Emotional Intelligence with Transformational Leadership in the Work and Family Domains: an Empirical Study

This study examines the relationship of Emotional Intelligence (EI) as understood by the Ability model of EI and Transformational Leadership (TL) behavior as exhibited by participants in the Work and Family leadership role. Two hundred middle and senior level managers completed the Mayer, Salovey and Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) and the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ). Results revealed that in the Work domain, overall EI and Strategic EI positively correlated with Intellectual Stimulation, Individualized Consideration, Inspirational Motivation and Idealized Influence Behavior components of TL, whereas Experiential EI correlated with only the Intellectual Stimulation, and Inspirational Motivation component. In the Family domain, EI and its components correlated with all the components of EI. Results further indicated that the EI and TL relationship was much more pronounced in the Family domain than the Work domain.