Emotional Intelligence & Its Application to Managing Enterprises

Abstract

Emotional intelligence (EI) has received increased research attention in recent times. Amidst contentions that emotions have no place in management and empiricism, the study focused to assess the impact of EI application in the management of workers and their productivity. Two methodological leanings were deployed in the administration of the study. The perspective of emotions as an empirical/measurable phenomenon evidenced by earlier studies of Gesler 1978 and Galanter 1962. These received congruence from Fencher’s (1985) law of sensitivity and intensity with measurable mathematical variables.  In furthering the empirical argument the author posits the Emotional Sensitivity Trap (EST) theorem which asserts that the more sensitive a worker is to a negative phenomenon at work, the more likely he will gravitate towards the ‘trap’ region of the continuum; become irritable, unstable and eventually record a fall in productivity. This too can be measured empirically. From the theoretical perspective, the renowned studies of Mayer and Salovey (1997) and Coleman’s expansion thereof, along with Coleman, Boyatzis and McKee (2002) gave vent to the development of knowledge in EI and its usefulness in managing organizations. A correlation, therefore, exists to the effect that both perspectives have the capacity for synergy in managing organizations and their people in areas like Leadership, goal setting and motivation, etc. The two perspectives showcased have disproved contentions that emotions have no place in empiricism or management studies. The study recommends that CEOs should factor in EI in planning (forecasting), organizing and motivating workers to higher productivity and in behaviour modification. Also,EI should be deployed as a factor in promoting excellence and competence in the implementation of Nigeria’s federal character policy. Lastly, EI studies should be integrated into tertiary institutions’curriculum to help in curbing cultism and violence at students early age.