Emotional Intelligence and Strategic Leadership: Evidence from UAE Higher Education

Mohammed, Idrees

Abstract

Higher education institutions are witnessing a volatile, uncertain, and complex business environment in the 21st century, which calls for robust and strategic leadership to navigate these challenges. This study examines whether emotional intelligence (EI) influences the behaviours of strategic leaders in higher educational institutions (HEIs) of the UAE. The study's objectives are to explore whether higher emotional intelligence improves leadership effectiveness and how EI can be strategically deployed to foster an inclusive culture. The research adopts a constructivist ontology and interpretivist epistemology, employing semi-structured interviews with key leaders across HEIs in the UAE. The literature review reveals a gap in empirical research that connects EI and qualitative methods, particularly within the context of Goleman’s model of EI, further justifying the need for this study. The empirical findings from this research reveal that emotional intelligence plays a pivotal role in enhancing leadership effectiveness within HEIs. Leaders with high emotional intelligence are not only more capable of managing their own emotions but are also adept at fostering inclusive environments where staff feel psychologically safe and motivated. These leaders are better equipped to navigate the diverse and multicultural landscape of UAE higher education, effectively managing teams from different cultural backgrounds, which is essential in such a diverse workforce. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that emotionally intelligent leadership directly contributes to improved staff morale, higher levels of productivity, and increased employee engagement. The findings of this study extend beyond leadership effectiveness, highlighting the strategic and practical importance of embedding emotional intelligence (EI) into leadership training and development frameworks within HEIs. By prioritising EI, institutions can foster more emotionally intelligent and inclusive leadership practices, which are essential for improving performance, ensuring sustainability, and adapting to a rapidly evolving educational landscape. HEIs that integrate EI are better positioned to create inclusive work cultures, retain top talent, and achieve long-term goals. Additionally, EI proves valuable as a strategic tool in conflict resolution, decision-making, and collaboration within diverse teams. This research offers strong empirical evidence on the critical role of EI in shaping effective leadership and fostering inclusivity in UAE HEIs, providing implications and actionable insights with a roadmap for policymakers, HEIs and leaders to create inclusive, resilient, adaptable, and emotionally intelligent organisations capable of thriving in complex, multicultural environments.

Citation

Mohammed, I. (2024). Emotional Intelligence and Strategic Leadership: Evidence from UAE Higher Education. (Thesis). University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Sep 20, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 27, 2026
• Award Date: Sep 26, 2024