Emotional Intelligence & Team Performance: Does Training Matter?

Abstract

In recent years significant amounts of research have been conducted exploring the implications of emotional intelligence to individuals, groups and organisations themselves. The research presented in this paper adds to this growing body of knowledge by exploring whether emotional intelligence can be trained, what type of interventions increase emotional intelligence, and what performance benefits result. Utilising an experimental methodology, an interpersonal skills program and a specific emotional intelligence intervention were constructed and facilitated in a large public sector organisation over a two year period. Results demonstrate that while performance improved for both training interventions, only the emotions focussed training program increased emotional intelligence. A full presentation of the results and implications of this research will be discussed within this paper.