Prioritizing emotional intelligence training needs using optimal globalization grey relational analysis

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the application of optimal globalization grey relational analysis (GGRA) as a workable decision-making tool to prioritize emotional intelligence (EI) training needs of specific groups of academic leaders. Design/methodology/approach – The study involved administrating the emotional skills assessment process to 50 academic leaders in the USA and 50 in Taiwan. Optimal GGRA was utilized to prioritize EI training needs of the two distinct groups of academic leaders. Findings – Results of the optimal GGRA suggest that context-specific EI interventions focusing on enhancing weak areas of emotional competency are made possible through optimal globalization grey analysis. Practical implications – Optimal GGRA is introduced as a valid decision-making technique for planning effective EI interventions. The results have implications for designing training courses targeting on enhancing weak areas of emotional competency. Originality/value – The utility of optimal GGRA as a decision-making tool to prioritizing training needs for the two cultural groups of academic leaders in the study aims at going beyond the narrow psychometric perspectives of measurements on leadership potentials and reaching out to practical approaches to leadership development and training.