A STUDY ON EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE (EQ) AND ITS IMPACT ON LEADERSHIP EFFECTIVENESS IN MANUFACTURING ORGANIZATIONS

Emotional intelligence (EQ) is essential for effective leadership in today’s manufacturing organizations, where technical skills alone are insufficient. Leaders must understand and manage their emotions, empathize with others, and build strong interpersonal relationships to achieve organizational goals. This study examines the impact of key EQ elements—self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills—on leadership behaviour, decision-making, and employee motivation in manufacturing firms, using a descriptive research design and data from leaders and staff in selected organizations. Analysis reveals that leaders typically exhibit moderate to high levels of emotional intelligence, positively influencing decision-making and the workplace environment. The study emphasizes the importance of ongoing development and training in emotional intelligence to enhance leadership capabilities, highlighting its role in ensuring organizational success and employee engagement. Overall, cultivating emotionally intelligent leadership is critical for achieving sustained performance and a positive work culture in manufacturing organizations.