Emotional Intelligence and Effective Leadership in the County Governments in Kenya

Abstract

Effective leadership in organizations has continued to be a much sought attribute by many organizations because it is linked to organizational success. Research in the fields of leadership and psychology suggest that emotional intelligence which is the ability to perceive, understand and manage emotions in the self and others contributes to effective leadership in organizations. This study reviewed relevant theories and empirical data on emotional intelligence and effective leadership. The objective of this study therefore was to establish the relationship between emotional intelligence and effective leadership in County Governments in Kenya. Specific objectives of the study were to find out the relationship between self-awareness and effective leadership, establish the relationship between self-management and effective leadership, determine the relationship between social-awareness and effective leadership and to determine the relationship between relationship-management and effective leadership in County Governments in Kenya. The study reviewed relevant theories of the variables to ground the study. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The target population of the study was 3,190 County Officials and a sample of 343 was drawn. A stratified sampling technique was used to gather for proper representation. Data collection instrument used was a questionnaire. Quantitative data was analyzed statistically yielding frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations, while inferential statistical tools such as correlation and regression were used to determine and explain variable relations by use of SPSS Version 22 program. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test for significant differences in three categories of county officers and data were presented in the form of tables, figures and charts. This revealed that there is a significant positive relationship between self-awareness, self-management, relationship management and effective leadership in county governments in Kenya. The study finding further revealed that there is an insignificant positive relationship between social awareness and effective leadership in county governments in Kenya. The study concluded that emotional intelligence significantly influenced effective leadership in county governments in Kenya. The study recommended that County Governments in Kenya may in cooperation with Public Service Commission formulate policies on management of recruitment and selection of top officers. Lack of specific regulations for hiring county top staff has resulted in counties hiring unqualified people to drive the development agenda. The study recommends that County and National Governments and any other public entity should first train their top management employees on the need to have emotional intelligence abilities. Such training must touch on various aspects of emotional intelligence such as self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and relationship management which influence effective leadership.