Singapore Report Reveals Emotional Intelligence Leadership Gap

Emotional intelligence (EI) remains a critical and evolving skill in leadership, especially within hybrid workplaces where physical separation challenges communication and connection. Leaders must develop heightened emotional awareness to interpret subtle cues in virtual settings, fostering psychological safety and trust that encourage open dialogue and risk-taking among employees. However, recent research from Singapore reveals a significant gap between leaders' self-perception and employees' experiences of EI, communication, and people development skills, with only half of employees agreeing that their leaders demonstrate adequate emotional intelligence. Despite this disconnect, both leaders and employees agree on the importance of emotional intelligence for effective leadership, as it facilitates better communication and stronger workplace relationships. Additionally, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the workplace introduces a new dimension to intelligence, complementing human fluid and crystallized intelligence by expanding problem-solving capabilities and enhancing knowledge application. This synergy of human and AI intelligence underscores the evolving nature of leadership competencies needed to navigate complex, modern work environments effectively.