Emotional intelligence: An element to successful school leadership or does it matter?

摘要

This research addresses elements of effective school based leadership, specifically, for vice-principals and principals. With an emphasis on the interpretive approach, it was the writer's intention to identify the factors of emotional intelligence, if any, that contribute to the overall success of principals and vice principals and the resulting implications for pre-service and in-service professional development.; Data collection was qualitative in nature utilizing two methods: survey and focus group discussions. Study findings strongly indicated the importance of emotional intelligence for being effective in their roles as principals. Competencies including self awareness, self management, social awareness, and relationship management were identified as essential components for principals to possess.