Emotional intelligence: A predictive or descriptive construct in ascertaining leadership style or a new name for old knowledge

This study examined the correlation and predictiveness of the construct of Emotional Intelligence in relationship to Transformational Leadership Style as defined by Bass and Avolio derived from the work of James McGregor Burns. A total of four test instruments were used (n = 194) were distributed and analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlations, and multiple linear regressions. Three of test instruments that were used were those developed by the leading theorist(s) of the constructs being examined: Bass and Avolio's Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (1995) for Transformational Leadership style; Mayer, Salovey, Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (2001) for Emotional Intelligence; McRae & Costa's Neo-FFI (1991) for the Five Domains of Personality. The test instrument used to collect data for general cognitive ability was the valid and reliable Wonderlic Personnel Test (2001). The data were examined for relationships and predictiveness using the scores obtained from the test instruments as variables to ascertain if Emotional Intelligence was more predictive of leadership style than measurements of personality and general cognitive ability. EI was well predicted by general cognitive ability and personality. EI did not aid in the prediction of Transformational Leadership.