The Relationship among Emotional Intelligence, Transformational Leadership and Effectiveness: An Empirical Assessment of Entrepreneurs in Rajasthan

Abstract

The correlation between transformational leadership and emotional intelligence was investigated in this quantitative study of entrepreneurs. Also included in the research was the investigation of the relationship between each construct and effectiveness. The research sample was composed of 47 entrepreneurs in Rajasthan. An emotional intelligence score for the entrepreneurs was obtained by administering the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT). Multi-Factor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) was used to measure the leadership of entrepreneurs. This yielded a mean transformational score, a leader effectiveness score, and scores for other non-transformational leadership styles. Correlations were analyzed to conclude that there is a positive relationship between emotional intelligence and transformational leadership. A positive co relational relationship between effectiveness and both emotional intelligence and transformational leadership was also evident. Analyzing the relationship between emotional intelligence and different non-transformational leadership styles yielded mixed results. Findings indicate a relationship exists between emotional intelligence and contingent reward leadership, while no significant relationship was evident between emotional intelligence and other leadership styles. Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that entrepreneurs and future entrepreneurs could better develop effective leadership skills by becoming more aware of their strengths and weakness in the area of emotional intelligence, along with improving their transformational leadership behaviors.

Keywords: Emotional intelligence (EI), Transformational Leadership (TL), Mayer Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT), Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ)