A STUDY ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND LEADERSHIP EFFECTIVENESS AMONG SCHOOL STUDENTS

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and leadership effectiveness among school students. Emotional intelligence, which involves the ability to recognize, understand, and manage emotions in oneself and others, is hypothesized to play a significant role in shaping effective leadership qualities. The research was conducted among school students to assess how their levels of emotional intelligence correlate with their perceived leadership effectiveness. The findings suggest that emotional intelligence is critical in developing effective leaders even at a young age. Based on the results, several conclusions can be drawn regarding the relationship between gender, Emotional Intelligence (EI), and Leadership Effectiveness among the school students in the study: 1. Gender Differences in Emotional Intelligence: The data indicates that female students tend to have higher Emotional Intelligence (EI) scores compared to their male counterparts. The statistically significant difference (p = .000) suggests that gender plays a meaningful role in the level of emotional intelligence among the participants, with females generally exhibiting stronger emotional intelligence. 2. Gender Differences in Leadership Effectiveness: Although male students have slightly higher Leadership Effectiveness scores than female students, the difference is statistically significant (p = .000). This finding suggests that, on average, male students may demonstrate slightly stronger leadership effectiveness than females in this sample. 3. Implications of Gender Differences: The significant differences in both EI and leadership effectiveness across genders imply that gender could be an important factor to consider in educational and leadership development programs. The higher EI scores among females might suggest a potential for developing more nuanced leadership styles, whereas the slightly higher leadership effectiveness among males could point to differing approaches or strengths in leadership roles. 4. Overall Relationship Between EI and Leadership: Despite the observed differences between genders, the correlation between Emotional Intelligence and Leadership Effectiveness within each gender group was relatively weak. This indicates that while gender differences exist, they may not strongly influence the overall relationship between EI and leadership effectiveness. In conclusion, the study highlights notable gender differences in both Emotional Intelligence and Leadership Effectiveness, with females excelling in EI and males showing slightly better leadership outcomes. These findings underscore the importance of considering gender in the development of emotional intelligence and leadership skills in educational settings.