The relationship between leader behavior and emotional intelligence of the project manager and the success of complex projects

In today's competitive business environment, organizations implement strategic initiatives through projects. In most cases, these projects consist of cross-functional teams that are formed to utilize individual expertise. A project manager whose primary responsibility is to achieve project objectives leads these individuals. Since the rational and emotional aspects of a project vary in complexity, the role of the project manager is critical to project success. The objective of this study is to demonstrate linkages between leadership style, emotional intelligence, and the success of complex projects.; The study addresses a total of twenty-four projects in six organizations from varied industries. Data collection instruments include use of the MLQ Form 5X Leadership Style Questionnaire, the MSCEIT Emotional Intelligence Ability Test, Perrow's Non-Routine Activities and Souder's Project Complexity Items and Project Performance Questions. Project managers, team members, and stakeholders responded to questions relating to their specific project, and organization executives were interviewed to provide a perspective on past projects.; Results of the study show that the type of leadership style used by a project manager and his or her emotional intelligence abilities do increase the probability of successfully completing complex projects. Transformational and laissez-faire leadership styles and overall emotional intelligence showed a significant relationship with actual project performance. Transformational leader behavior was also found to enhance actual project performance to a greater degree than was transactional leader behavior.; The study also showed that there are a number of linkages between leadership style and emotional intelligence. Overall emotional intelligence and the understanding emotions task of emotional intelligence were found to relate significantly with the inspirational motivation component of transformational leadership. In addition, the strategic area of emotional intelligence was found to relate significantly with the attributed idealized influence and individual consideration components of transformational leadership.; Project management provides business with a vehicle to implement change. Therefore, to adapt to changing business and environmental conditions, organizations require their project managers to lead strategic initiatives or projects. By identifying leadership styles and emotional abilities that increase the probability of successfully completing complex projects, this study provides organizations and their project managers with professional and career development opportunities.