Integrating trait and ability EI in predicting transformational leadership

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the moderating role played by follower's trait emotional intelligence (EI) in the relationship between follower's ability EI and transformational leadership. Design/methodology/approach – The authors hypothesised that there is a positive moderating effect of follower's trait EI on the relationship between follower's ability EI and the transformational leadership rating they receive from their supervisor. Using moderated hierarchical linear regression this hypothesis was tested using a random sample of 208 supervisor-subordinate dyads from three organisations in Ireland covering FMCG, banking and financial Services. Findings – After controlling for the effects of personality, moderated hierarchical regression analysis showed that follower ability EI significantly predicted transformational leadership ratings and that this relationship was positively moderated by follower trait EI. Research limitations/implications – This study presents a path-finding, integrative model linking trait and ability EI which offers an expanded understanding of the phenomenon of EI in relation to leadership. Practical implications – The findings show how trait and ability EI can be used in concert by HR and leadership development professionals to optimally design EI-based leadership development programmes. Originality/value – This is the first study to integrate the trait and ability approaches to EI and to show how they interact in predicting transformational leadership. This study also took the perspective of leadership as assessed by the leader rather than the follower, which has been the norm in most previous studies.