A 20‐year view of trying to develop emotional, social and cognitive intelligence competencies in graduate management education

Abstract

PurposeDevelopment of competencies needed to be effective managers and leaders requires program design and teaching methods focused on learning. The paper presents an update and a view of 20 years of attempting to develop these competencies.Design/methodology/approachA total of 14 longitudinal studies of the impact of a particular MBA program on developing emotional, social and cognitive intelligence competencies are reviewed. Three new studies are to complete a 20‐year perspective. This is a value added design. It asks how are the graduates different from when they entered the program?FindingsEmotional, social and cognitive intelligence competencies that predict effectiveness in management and leadership can be developed in adults through a graduate management program. These improvements can sustain out as far as seven years. But this degree of value added can be eroded by a tumultuous organizational climate.Research limitations/implicationsIt is a series of 17 longitudinal studies on one school. With support from four studies of a program for 45‐65 year‐old executives.Practical implicationsCompetencies needed to be effective can be developed. But that development can be eroded without continuous improvement and renewal.Originality/valueFew sets of multiyear, multi‐cohort, multi‐method, multitrait studies exist. This helps to build a new literature on learning and development, as well as focusing on development of competencies.