Emotionell Intelligens & Ledarskap

Sammanfattning: Introduction: Leadership has been a core issue of organizations for decades, if not for centuries. However, the previously so strong confidence in leadership rationality begins to weaken and instead, it is increasingly becoming a picture of the dualism that leadership often involves. The view has changed, leaders no longer apply a rational and economically computational mindset, but in fact they have to a large extent an irrational, socially oriented and emotional mindset. The emotional aspect of leadership is on the rise and, in that sense, Emotional Intelligence (EI) will become increasingly important, especially as the leader's EI capability is considered crucial to how the organization will work. Nevertheless, there is not enough research that discusses the popularized concept of EI in relation to leadership, in addition, the discussion is almost non-existent in Sweden. Purpose: The aim of the study is to contribute to a deeper understanding of the Emotional Intelligence (EI) importance in organizational context from a leadership perspective by contributing knowledge about Emotional Intelligence (EI) impact on leadership within an organization. Method: The study has been conducted with a qualitative research method with an abductive research effort. The empirical material consists of eleven interviews from business leaders in the Swedish business community. To analyze the material, theories that describe leadership, communication, motivation and leadership styles are used in connection with EI. Conclusion: The study concludes that business leaders' understanding and interpretation of the EI concept has an influence on the leadership they exercise. The study also comes up to the fact that business leaders' views on leadership affect their application of EI.