Emotional Intelligence in Nurse Leadership Presented by Diana Brown

Emotional Intelligence (EI) Emotional intelligence is how well we handle ourselves and our relationships. It is the capacity to be aware of, control, and express one’s emotion, and to handle interpersonal relationships prudently and empathetically. It refers to the ability to perceive, understand, and control one’s own emotions as well as those of others. It is also the capability to channel emotions to guide one’s thinking and behavior, and to manage or adjust one’s emotions to people, place, and time.

Five Components of EI Daniel Goleman Self-awareness: the conscious knowledge of one’s own character, feelings, motives, and desires and having the ability to recognize its effects on others. Self-regulation: the ability to monitor and control our own behavior, emotions, or thoughts, and altering them in accordance with the demands of the situation. Motivations: the desire of someone to do something that is gratifying Social Skills: the ability to facilitate interaction and communication with others and building networks.

Overview from the Literature Emotional intelligence develops with age and consists of three mental processes: Appraising and expressing emotions in the self and others Regulating emotion in self and others Using emotions in adaptive ways

Overview from the Literature Contd The goal in emotional intelligence is to have emotional literacy which is being self-aware about one’s emotions and recognizing how they influence subsequent actions. Having emotional intelligence is critical to one’s leadership success with the ability to perceive & identify emotions, to integrate emotions into thought processes, and to understand & manage the different domains of emotions.

Implications for Nurse Leaders Nurse leaders can benefit from having emotional intelligence as it can increase competency to better manage the more complex healthcare system Improving emotional intelligence can have a positive impact on leadership style Increasing emotional intelligence can improve individual well-being, health, social, and overall performance, as well as improving individual ability to adapt to change

Implications for Nurse Leaders Contd Given the relationship between emotional intelligence, organizational performance and overstaff, physician and patient satisfaction, it may be that nurse leaders should be hired with EI ability criteria in mind. It may also be appropriate to include emotional intelligence abilities in performance criteria for nurse leaders.

Implications for Nurse Leaders Contd Emotional intelligence can be a complex phenomenon for nurse leaders The intersections and overlapping of one’s feelings, sense of purpose, knowledge, and attitude vary widely and unpredictably Nurse leaders will have to know how to manage emotional risks to navigate the ever changing healthcare system

Implications for Nurse Leaders Contd

References Codier, E. (2011). The impact of emotional intelligence development on nurse managers. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 35 (3), 270-276. Marquis, B.L., & Huston, C.J. (2014). Leadership roles and management functions in nursing: Theory and application (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. Porter-O’Grady, T., & Malloch, K. (2015). Quantum leadership: Building better partnership for sustainable health (4th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Weiszbrod, T. (2015). Healthcare leader competencies and the relevance of emotional intelligence. The Healthcare Manager, 34 (2), 140-146.