Follower Emotional Intelligence: A Mediator between Transformational Leadership and Follower Outcomes

Abstract

Purpose:The purpose of this paper is to understand the impact of transformational leadership on Follower EI and examine the potential mediation role played by follower emotional intelligence in the relationship between transformational leadership and follower outcomes (i.e. growth satisfaction in the job & job stress).

Design:Data were obtained through survey using questionnaire collected from 908 employees who worked across six different sectors, i.e. manufacturing, IT, health care, hospitality, educational and public services in southern India. The mediation model proposed in this study was tested using structural equation modelling and bootstrapping method.

Findings :The relationship between TL and Follower EI was significant. Follower emotional intelligence (EI) was found to partially mediate the relationship between transformational leadership and followers' growth satisfaction in job. Contrary to expectations, the follower EI did not significantly predict job stress in this study and hence the follower EI did not mediate in the proposed model. However, follower EI and growth satisfaction in the job jointly mediated the relationship between transformational leadership and follower job stress fully.

Implications :This study established a partial and joint mediation of follower EI on the relationship between transformational leadership and follower outcomes. Basing on these findings, this study highlights the need for the practitioners to better understand the importance of emotional intelligence training for the leaders in the organisations for obtaining better outcomes in the followers.

Originality/Value:This study is among the first to examine the impact of TL on follower EI and the potential mediation of follower emotional intelligence between transformational leadership and follower outcomes. From a theoretical perspective, this study is one step closer to fully understand the intervening process between transformational leadership and follower outcomes.