An examination of cultural and emotional intelligences in the development of global transformational leadership skills

Emotional intelligence has been found to be a critical predictor for intercultural adjustment and associated successes. At present, no model is available that promotes the development of global leaders. This study examined the strength and direction of relationships between the self and social dimensions of both emotional and cultural intelligences and transformational leadership skills. The study analyzed the degree to which current students of business administration develop skill sets that respond to the need for global leadership with these 2 forms of competencies. The main research question considered the relationship between the self and social dimensions of emotional and cultural intelligences and the self and social dimensions of transformational leadership skills. Survey research was used to gather data from 171 students enrolled at Les Roches Swiss School of Hotel Management. Statistical analyses included factor analysis, Cronbach's Alpha, Pearson' r, and regression. Results showed that there is a direct correlation between the self and social dimension of transformational leadership and emotional and cultural intelligence skills. One key recommendation is that based on the results transformational leadership and emotional and cultural intelligence skills should be included in trainings for leadership development especially for the development of global leaders. From a positive social change perspective, this study makes a contribution to the leadership literature by demonstrating that there is a relationship among the three major constructs of the study findings that can benefit future participants of leadership training with the incorporation of study findings to leadership development training programs.