Edinburgh Napier University

  My doctoral research explores the emotional intelligence (EI) competence of construction professionals and its influence on project success. EI, defined as the ability to recognise, understand, manage, and effectively use emotions in interpersonal interactions, has increasingly been acknowledged as a vital component of effective leadership. However, its role within the construction industry, particularly in relation to project management performance and outcomes, has been underexplored.
This study aimed to investigate the nature of the association between EI competence and the perception of project success, with the goal of determining whether EI is a significant antecedent of a project manager’s performance. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research initially gathered quantitative data through surveys of construction professionals and complemented this with qualitative interviews to gain deeper insights into the participants' lived experiences. The Braun and Clarke (2022) six-phase reflexive thematic analysis was employed, alongside NVivo 14.0 software, which was mapped against Daniel Goleman’s Model of Emotional Intelligence (EI), comprising four components: social awareness, self-awareness, relationship management, and self-management. The study examined three key objectives: understanding how construction professionals perceive EI competence; exploring the impact of a lack of EI on team dynamics and performance; and identifying the specific benefits that EI brings to project success.
Findings reveal that EI competence significantly enhances communication, collaboration, conflict resolution, and leadership effectiveness. Conversely, its absence can lead to misunderstandings, decreased morale, and project inefficiencies. Furthermore, the study identified additional components, including spirituality, which comprises intentionality, interest, observation, and experience. The research concludes that emotional intelligence is not only a desirable trait but also a critical professional competence that underpins successful project delivery.
This study contributes to both academic literature and professional practice by highlighting the need to integrate EI training into construction management education and continuous professional development frameworks, thereby fostering more emotionally intelligent and effective construction leaders.