Abstract

As Gen Z enters the workforce and is challenging the status quo, best practices of management and leadership of direct reports with emotional intelligence is becoming a growing issue in U.S. corporations. This study explores the relationship between emotional intelligence elements of emotional self-awareness, emotional management of others, emotional reasoning, emotional self-control, along with the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on emotional intelligence. The approach for this research is a quantitative, correlational method and utilized an online survey to assess a random sample of 103 U.S. based managers from various industries and generations. The final data set included 11 Baby Boomers, 16 Gen Xers, 68 Millennials, and 8 Gen Zers. Results indicate that Millennials score higher in three of the four types of emotional intelligence traits. Results should enhance the notion of emotional intelligence traits among multigenerational leadership and have practical significance for organizations’ concern about objectively identifying and developing potential leadership talent. Implications for leadership practice and policy are discussed, and suggestions for future research are provided.

Degree

Master of Arts (MA)

Degree Date

2023

First Advisor

Dr. Shahara'Tova Dente

Document Type

Thesis

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