Authors: Yusof bin Boon, Arif bin Hj. Hassan, Mohamed Amin Embi
Published In: Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences
Main Theme:
This article investigates how emotional intelligence (EI) influences transformational leadership (TL) in educational organizations.
🔍 Study Summary
The study surveyed 260 school administrators in Malaysia to analyze the correlation between emotional intelligence (EI) and transformational leadership (TL). Using statistical methods like Pearson correlation and regression analysis, it found that higher EI is significantly associated with stronger transformational leadership capabilities.
💡 Key Concepts
Emotional Intelligence Components:
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Self-awareness – Understanding one’s emotions and how they affect others.
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Self-regulation – Managing disruptive emotions and impulses.
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Motivation – Being driven to achieve for the sake of achievement.
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Empathy – Considering others’ feelings, especially when making decisions.
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Social Skills – Managing relationships to move people in desired directions.
Transformational Leadership Dimensions:
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Idealized Influence – Being a role model and gaining trust.
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Inspirational Motivation – Inspiring followers through vision and meaning.
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Intellectual Stimulation – Encouraging innovation and creativity.
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Individualized Consideration – Coaching and developing followers individually.
📊 Key Findings
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Strong correlation between EI and TL (r > 0.7).
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EI can predict up to 50% of the variance in TL.
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Empathy and social skills were the strongest EI predictors of transformational leadership.
📘 Example Application
A school principal with high emotional intelligence:
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Notices a teacher’s burnout and offers support.
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Encourages team members to think differently about lesson planning.
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Models respectful and inspiring behavior during conflict resolution.
This journal makes it clear that great leadership is not just about strategy—it’s about emotional connection. Leaders who understand emotions—both their own and others’—are better able to inspire, guide, and support teams, especially in complex environments like schools.
For educational institutions or companies undergoing change, prioritizing emotional intelligence development in leadership training may yield far-reaching benefits in employee morale and performance.
📌 Takeaway
Building emotional intelligence is not optional for leaders—it’s essential. Without empathy, self-awareness, and social skills, even the most technically brilliant leader may fail to inspire or mobilize their team.
