School administrators: Leadership and emotional intelligence

This qualitative study examines emotional intelligence and school principals. I interviewed 6 principals and asked questions about how they handled various situations they encountered in the course of their jobs as elementary school principals. The data showed that the principals routinely used all or most of the emotional intelligence competencies when dealing with difficult issues. Principals suggested that conflicts or problems occurred in their dealings with other people and that interpersonal skills and communication were vital to successfully manage interpersonal relations and to solve problems. In order to manage relations and solve problems the principals felt they needed good knowledge of self to be flexible and adept at problem-solving. General mood and stress management contributed to job satisfaction and personal well-being.