EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE IN LEADERSHIP AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY AND EMPLOYEE WELL-BEING

Background: Contemporary organizations face accelerated change and increasing mental health demands, which heighten the importance of leaders socioemotional capabilities beyond technical expertise. Objective: This article examines the strategic relevance of emotional intelligence (EI) in leadership and its implications for employee well-being,team productivity,organizational climate,and corporate sustainability-particularly within the social and governance dimensions of ESG. Methods:The study adopts a qualitative, exploratory, and bibliographic design, supported by document analysis of institutional data and reports (e.g., social security and public health sources) and peer-reviewed literature. Results: The reviewed evidence suggests that emotionally unprepared leadership is associated with toxic climates, increased burnout and absenteeism, and higher turnover, while emotionally intelligent leadership supports psychological safety, engagement, and performance. Conclusion: EI emerges as a strategic leadership competency that can strengthen sustainable organizational outcomes by promoting healthier workplaces and more resilient performance over time.