Team emotional intelligence and resilience in high-stress startups

Purpose This study examines how entrepreneurial teams deploy emotional intelligence to cultivate resilience and maintain performance under sustained pressure. Specifically, it analyses how team-level emotional intelligence shapes adaptive responses through three interrelated mechanisms: emotion regulation routines, a positive team climate, and constructive conflict management. Design/methodology/approach A three-wave longitudinal design was employed, involving 150 technology and fintech startups in Bangalore and Singapore, representing contrasting Asia–Pacific entrepreneurial ecosystems. Established scales were used, and hypothesised relationships were tested using structural equation modelling, complemented by growth curve modelling and robustness checks. Findings The results demonstrate that team emotional intelligence significantly enhances team resilience, which subsequently supports stronger performance in high-stress startup contexts. Psychological safety did not significantly moderate the resilience–performance link; however, exploratory analyses suggested potential diminishing returns where psychological safety is extremely high. Cross-contextual comparison further indicates that ecosystem conditions shape the translation of emotional capabilities into resilient team action. Practical implications The findings underline the importance of fostering emotional competencies at the team level to strengthen adaptive capacity. Startup founders, incubators, and accelerators should prioritise training that supports shared emotion regulation and collaborative problem-solving. Originality/value By framing resilience as a dynamic capability and adopting a longitudinal, cross-ecosystem approach, this study advances understanding of how emotional intelligence contributes to entrepreneurial team functioning in high-pressure environments.