The role of emotional intelligence in the quality of leader-follower relationship

Abstract

This study aims to examine the moderating effects of leader emotional intelligence and dyad emotional intelligence on the relationship between Islamic leader-member exchange (ILMX) and work related outcomes, and as part of this developing an Islamic measure of respect in leadership. Many studies have attempted to explain the concept of emotional intelligence in order to better understand how aspects of individual difference may help to explain variations in leadership behaviour. Research in the field of emotion regulation has suggested that this ability plays a central role in the development of high quality relationships. Other scholars also emphasized that research on emotional intelligence and leadership effectiveness needs to be focused on those approaches to leadership that involve emotional elements, because relationship approaches to leadership are inherently emotional. This clearly shows that emotions play a significant role in leadership. This study has been divided into two stages. The first stage was developing a validated measure of Islamic respect. In this stage, focus group sessions were conducted to generate the items for Islamic respect. Those items generated from the focus group sessions were further used in instrument development in an online survey questionnaire for scale reduction and validation. Factor analysis was employed for the purpose of scale reduction. Meanwhile, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed with Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) for the purpose of scale validation. The second stage of this study used a cross-sectional design and measures collected through the use of a questionnaire. The participants were 203 matched leader-subordinate dyads in a Malaysian Islamic Insurance company. Based upon hierarchical regression analysis, the results showed that the combination of both leader and follower emotional intelligence moderated the relationship between Islamic leader-member exchange and a number of important work related outcomes. The results suggest that emotional intelligence can help leaders and subordinates to facilitate stronger identification and emotional attachments with each other

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