Exploring emotional intelligence, political skill, and job satisfaction

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the associations between emotional intelligence (EI) and both political skill and job satisfaction, as well as the possibility that political skill mediates the relationship between EI and job satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach – The data, collected from a sample of 368 employees, were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Findings – EI was positively related to political skill and job satisfaction. In addition, the findings show that political skill mediates the relationship between EI and job satisfaction. Research limitations/implications – The research highlights the importance of EI and political skill in the workplace. Practical implications – EI training may be employed by organizations and human resource managers to enhance employees’ EI. Originality/value – Not enough research attention has been paid to exploring the interplay between EI and organizational politics. The current study clarifies the relationship between EI and political skill in the work arena. Moreover, this study found political skill to be a mediator in the relationship between EI and job satisfaction. Given that in the main the literature has neglected the possibility that political skill might act as a mediator and/or affect work attitudes/behaviors, findings from the current study broaden the scope through which the role of political skill in the workplace can be viewed.