DEVELOPING LEADERS OF CHARACTER WITH EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE Developing Leaders of Character with Emotional Intelligence

Leaders are expected to lead with integrity and role model positive behaviors for others to emulate. Leading with a noble purpose is much easier when times are good, but when times are challenging, or when things get emotional, that is when it becomes much more difficult to lead with that noble purpose. Emotions are often seen as disruptive and interfering with performance. Therefore, one view of leadership is to check one’s emotions at the door and to try to limit their influence on behavior. However, our view is different. We posit that emotions can help leaders think and make good decisions (Yip & Cote, 2012) and forms the basis of building quality relationships (Lopes, Salovey, Côté, & Beers, 2005; Lopes, Salovey, & Straus, 2003). Harnessing emotions in a productive manner takes a very high level of skill, a skill that many leaders are not taught, thus, many opt to ignore them. Since emotions are