Emotional Intelligence and Leadership Effectiveness in Akwa Ibom State Civil Service

This study is an examination of emotional intelligence and leadership effectiveness in Akwa Ibom State civil service. Related literature was reviewed, and the transformational leadership theory was used as the theoretical framework. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The simple random sampling technique was adopted for the study. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. 390 respondents were sampled in the course of the study. Taro Yamane method was used to determine the sample size. Data generated from the field in this study was analyzed using simple percentages (%) and frequency tables. Findings from the study revealed that emotional intelligence influences leadership style and behaviour in the Akwa Ibom State civil service; it also reveals that emotionally intelligent leaders are committed to organizational goals and that emotional intelligence impacts the leader-employee relationship and the working environment. The study recommends that employers/leaders should monitor and manage the emotions of their subordinates by paying special attention to their achievement and development needs; employers should motivate their employees in a transactional method by a shared vision and openness and move towards the end of motivation by punishment. Leaders in organisations should be willing to learn from their employees and model behavior that they would like to see within their organization that is positive and productive. Leadership in different organisations should consider the benefits of open communication among their employees, rather than a policy of secrecy and non-inclusiveness.