Emotional intelligence and leadership emergence in small groups

Uncovering the role of emotional abilities in leadership emergence. A longitudinal analysis of leadership networks

“…By accurately identifying others' emotions, these individuals gain considerable knowledge of other group members' emotional states, attitudes, goals, and interests (Côté et al, 2010). Such emotional knowledge, combined with their ability to express emotional information appropriately, allows them to provide social support, maintain positive relationships within the group (Côté et al, 2010), enhance collaboration (George, 2000) and, ultimately, influence the group's social dynamics .…”

“…Such emotional knowledge, combined with their ability to express emotional information appropriately, allows them to provide social support, maintain positive relationships within the group (Côté et al, 2010), enhance collaboration (George, 2000) and, ultimately, influence the group's social dynamics . Individuals with greater emotional recognition are therefore more likely to fulfill the role of relationship leader.…”

“…Leadership emergence is defined as a social process through which, over time and social interactions, some individuals gain leadership roles as a result of their group's acceptance and recognition (Côté, Lopes, Salovey, and Miners, 2010;Neubert and Taggar, 2004). A variety of studies have explored whether individuals endorsing specific traits or characteristics are more likely to emerge as leaders (Judge, Bono, Ilie, and Gerhardt, 2002;Yulk, 2009).…”

“…In the latest review of the EI-leadership literature, Walter, Cole, and Humphrey (2011) report only a handful of studies that examined the relation between EI and leadership emergence (Côté et al, 2010;Kellet, Humphrey, andSleeth, 2002, 2006;Wolff, Pescosolido, and Druskat, 2002). This scarcity of research is surprising, as early work on emergent leaders suggests that such individuals are skilled at perceiving and understanding emotional information (Wolff, 2002).…”

“…Nonetheless, as Côté et al (2010) used a single measure of leadership emphasizing emergent leaders' inspiration and motivation over the group, their study left unexplored other facets of leadership. Namely, it is well established in the literature that effective leaders may focus on their followers or on the task at hand (Burke et al, 2006;Kellet et al, 2006;Yukl, 2009).…”