Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace: A Comparative Study of Male and Female Bank Employees in the Public Sector

Abstract

Work rules are in a constant state of flux with new yardsticks by which employees are being evaluated. In the corporate world, it is increasingly being recognized that impressive curriculum vitae, good credentials and technical expertise do not have the desired impact in someone with low Emotional Intelligence (EI). The workplace is about people and relationships and an employee with high EI should be viewed as a valuable asset. The contribution of EI for individual success and specifically to success in the workplace is realized now. Intellectual intelligence contributes about 20% towards life success and the remaining 80% may be attributable to EI. EI is indeed significant in the workplace and is not only limited to it being a desirable quality in employees but also helps recruitment, predicting performance, negotiation, performance management and peer relationships. The present study is an honest attempt to measure EI and its dimensions in both male and female public bank employees.