Emotional intelligence and academic leadership: An exploratory study of college and university presidents.

摘要

This exploratory study explored and measured the level of emotional intelligence in the college/university president as determined by the MSCEIT (Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test). It also explored if there is a relationship between the college and university presidents' total emotional intelligence quotient (EIQ) and certain demographic factors such as age, gender, length of tenure, type of institutions that they are leading, type of final degree and field of study for final degree; and finally it explored their understanding of the concept of emotional intelligence and its relationship to effective leadership. The population for this study was represented by the 61 presidents of colleges and universities in Central and Eastern Pennsylvania of which 7 responded and were included in this research. The research was conducted using a mixed methodology approach. In the first (quantitative) phase, the MSCEIT was administered to the presidents. Along with the MSCEIT the presidents were also asked to complete a demographic questionnaire; all 7 presidents completed the MSCEIT and 6 completed the questionnaire. In the second (qualitative) phase, the researcher conducted interviews with 4 of the 7 presidents, the ones that elected to be interviewed, to explore their understanding of the concept of emotional intelligence and their opinion as to whether there is a relationship between emotional intelligence and leadership effectiveness. The data revealed that most presidents scored in the average ranges of emotional intelligence, that there was no significant relationship between the demographic factors and the total EIQ scores, and that all presidents understood and believed in the concept of emotional intelligence, used it in their daily business dealings, and believes that it is indeed needed for effective leadership.