Emotional intelligence as a facilitator of project leader effectiveness

This paper presents a framework that examines how emotional intelligence can contribute to the success of project leaders and their teams. We review the interaction of project leaders with their teams and how emotional intelligence can improve interpersonal effectiveness, provides the skills to deal with sponsors and stakeholders and how the emotionally intelligent project leaders can utilize their resources to achieve high performance levels. Specific attention is given to the impact of emotional intelligence upon team development, conflict resolution, leadership, and how emotional intelligence is fundamental to effective leadership as well as in gaining support from team members and stakeholders. Finally, we explore areas for further research such as the potential affect of an emotionally intelligent project leader upon a team that does not possess emotional intelligence, as well as how teams with high emotional intelligence have a propensity for increased innovation.