The Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Enhancing Women’s Leadership Competencies

Abstract

The percentage of women in leadership positions is increasing and advancing towards gender parity. However, the number of female leaders is still low when compared to male leaders. We endeavored to examine by means of a literature review the impact of Emotional Intelligence (EI) on women´s leadership since we found that EI is a key factor in predicting effective leadership traits. We also found there is a social perception that women tend to be seen as more emotional and empathic than men. We review the definitions of leadership and EI and explore the link between EI, leadership and women. Several leadership scholars and psychologists argue that EI is an important foundation for leadership effectiveness. We review the literature about how men and women compare in their EI attributes. When it comes to learning EI, men and women have the same opportunities to acquire a greater EI through reflection and experience. However, we highlight the necessity for increasing the number of women in leadership positions by enhancing and supporting women’s leadership competencies. Moreover, we emphasize the importance of building EI in order to achieve effective leadership.

Impact of transformational leadership on leadership effectiveness: the mediating effect of emotional skills in the Lebanese small and medium-sized enterprises context

“…Also, additional leadership qualities like emotional skills, ASS and RM are interconnected with ADP. Studies have proven that leaders exhibiting all three characteristics are the most successful (Sa et al, 2019;Shabani et al, 2021). It has been shown that leaders with high levels of emotional skills are successful communicators, team builders and great achievers in general (Supramaniam and Singaravelloo, 2021).…”

“…Leaders who can swiftly adjust to new situations are better equipped to steer their companies through times of uncertainty and crisis, thus in times of a pandemic, natural catastrophe or economic slump. Leadership qualities include the capacity to appraise a situation, decide on a course of action and implement it swiftly; this gives the team a feeling of direction and stability (Sa et al , 2019; Shabani et al , 2021). But flexibility is just one ingredient in successful leadership.…”

“…Two of the most essential leadership skills are the confidence to speak out and take charge when necessary. The performance and output of a team may benefit from a forceful leader because such leaders can better delegate responsibilities, provide feedback and establish clear objectives (Sa et al , 2019; Shabani et al , 2021). According to the trait theory, ASS is one of the innate characteristics of successful leaders.…”

“…However, people in Lebanon greatly tolerate power inequality because of the country’s power distance culture. Emotional skills may not be seen as essential to leadership success in a context where the position of a leader is highly regarded (Hamzah et al , 2021; Shabani et al , 2021). Studies conducted on the influence of emotional skills on leadership effectiveness (LE) in the Lebanese context are few, despite the growing acceptance of the relevance of the mentioned at the workplace elsewhere (Ezzeddine et al , 2023).…”