Chapter 9 Emotional Intelligence as a Moderator of the Quality of Leader–Member Exchange and Work-Related Outcomes

Researchers in the field of leadership are increasingly turning their attention to the concept of emotional intelligence (EI) to better understand how aspects of individual difference may help to explain variations in leadership behavior. Importantly leadership practices that foster positive affectivity have been found to be associated with important job- and work-related outcomes. This study aims to investigate whether EI moderates the relationship between a measure of leader–member exchange (LMX) and important work-related outcomes within Malaysia. LMX was found to be positively associated with organizational citizenship behavior, job satisfaction, organizational commitment, psychological well-being (PWB), and in-role performance. However, the relationship between LMX and job satisfaction, LMX and organizational commitment, LMX and PWB, and LMX and in-role performance was also found to be moderated by EI. The findings suggest that EI can help leaders and subordinates to facilitate stronger identification and emotional attachments with each other.