From athlete to employee: A quantitative study of the impact of emotional intelligence in the workplace---elite athletes versus nonathletes

This study examined emotional intelligence in the workplace. The researcher desired to discern whether former elite-level athletes, currently in the workplace, possess significantly different levels of emotional intelligence than their nonathlete counterparts. Assessment instruments used in this study include the Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory, a well-known and highly respected emotional intelligence inventory (2003, Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory, Bar-On EQ-i). Also used is a demographic survey designed to ascertain the level of athletic experience and professional experience that each participant possesses in his or her personal history. In an effort to compare similar data, composite scores were compared between the two groups of the sample population. In addition, each individual facet of the Bar-On (Bar-On, R. (2003). Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory (Bar-On EQ-i) model of emotional intelligence was examined in comparison to the other facets of emotional intelligence in order to determine if one or more facet is found more abundantly then the others. The sample population included individuals between the ages of 18 and 65 employed by school districts in the Southeast. It was hypothesized that the former elite-level athletes possessed higher levels of multiple facets of emotional intelligence, according to the Bar-On (1997) model. The data indicated that athletes do possess higher levels of emotional intelligence than nonathletes in the workplace, as indicated by the mean of composite scores. Mean scores also indicated that athletes possess significantly higher levels of interpersonal skills as well as general mood. The relationship between years of athletic experience and level of emotional intelligence was significant. Athletes did not, however, score significantly higher on any one facet of Bar-On's (1997) model of emotional intelligence.