Emotional Intelligence and Job Performance: Empirical Evidence

Abstract

The increasingly competitive business environment puts pressure on companies to enhance their performance and competitiveness to ensure business success. In the age of globalization, the workplace is characterized by more communication, workforce diversity, teamwork, and customer orientation which demand employees to make emotionally charged decisions. Therefore, emotional intelligence is often identified as one of the key competencies needed to increase job performance. This study examines the effect of emotional intelligence on job performance based on the perception of employees of Habesha Breweries, Ethiopia. The mixed model that combines trait and ability dimensions of emotional intelligence and the triarchy model of Pradhan & Jena were used to measure emotional intelligence and job performance respectively. The study employed a descriptive correlational research design and a quantitative research approach. Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between emotional intelligence and job performance. The findings of the study indicated that there is a positive and significant relationship between all components of emotional intelligence (self-awareness, social awareness, self-management and relationship management) and job performance. Thus, it can be concluded that employees with well-developed skills in these emotional intelligence components, can better understand and manage their abilities and become more personally determined to achieve higher job performance.