(88a) Enhancing Leadership and Management of Individuals and Teams through Emotional Intelligence

Academic performance and job opportunities in engineering and science positions typically place a premium on intelligence (IQ) and analytical ability. Although these are critical competencies for successful employees and leaders/managers, they are often not the determining factor for success in technical positions. Leaders and managers must be able to understand, interpret, and use their and others’ emotions to attain goals and function effectively personally and on teams; this requires emotional intelligence (EI or EQ). Traditional engineering or science programs do not address or even mention EI, although the lack of this skill set is evident during specific course requirements and in various career assignments: whenever teams must function efficiently and effectively. The absence of this trait generally leads to frustration and anxiety for leaders and followers and inhibits many competent and motivated engineers and scientists from pursuing or remaining in leadership/management positions. This talk will describe characteristics of technically-trained individuals who lack EI and the effect that this deficiency has on the individual, on team effectiveness and on the attitudes of subordinates, peers, and superiors. Approaches to improve or develop EI and thereby enhance leadership/management prowess will be discussed.