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Emotional intelligence in leaders: an antidote for cynicism towards change?
Author(s) -
Ferres Natalie,
Connell Julia
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
strategic change
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.527
H-Index - 16
eISSN - 1099-1697
pISSN - 1086-1718
DOI - 10.1002/jsc.665
Subject(s) - cynicism , antidote , psychology , public relations , management , business , social psychology , political science , law , economics , medicine , politics , toxicity
Business leaders everywhere have encountered the reality of resistance and cynicism when introducing change initiatives. This paper identifies some of the associations between the challenges of organizational change in the 21st century and the emotional competencies required of contemporary change leaders. The aim of this paper is to explore the impact of leader emotional intelligence (EI) on levels of employee cynicism towards change. Results from a survey of 448 employees supported the hypothesis that employees would report less change cynicism if managed by leaders whom subordinates rated as emotionally intelligent. This study will be of interest to managers and people concerned with leadership, change management, emotional intelligence and securing a competitive advantage.Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.