The concept of whether emotional intelligence contributes to entrepreneurial success has been explored. The emotional intelligence skills examined were intrapersonal skills, the ability to recognize and manage one’s emotions, and interpersonal skills, and the ability to recognize emotions and their effect on others. The findings from the studies analyzed in the literature verify that a high level of emotional intelligence has a positive and significant impact on personal and business relationships.

1. EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE OF ENTREPRENEURS
Andree Swanson, Forbes School of Business & Technology (FSBT), Ashford University
Paula Zobisch, FSBT, Ashford University
Efiong Akwawao, FSBT, Ashford University

2. ABSTRACT
The concept of whether emotional intelligence contributes to entrepreneurial success has been
explored. The emotional intelligence skills examined were intrapersonal skills, the ability to recognize
and manage one’s emotions, and interpersonal skills, and the ability to recognize emotions and their
effect on others. The findings from the studies analyzed in the literature verify that a high level of
emotional intelligence has a positive and significant impact on personal and business relationships.

3. INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this qualitative
study was to provide a detailed
review of emotional intelligence (EI)
and its impact on entrepreneurs.
From previous research conducted by the primary researcher,
it has been found that EI is relevant to the fields of real estate,
financial planners, and even students (Braidfoot & Swanson,
2012; Braidfoot & Swanson, 2013; Hill, Swanson, & Kirwan,
2016; Swanson & Braidfoot, 2013; Swanson & Zobisch, 2014;
Swanson, Hamilton, & Zobisch, 2015). The researchers
believed that successful entrepreneurs will have high EI and
they would like to conduct research to identify this connection
and the gaps in the literature. The researchers began by
conducting a systematic literature review.

4. LITERATURE REVIEW
The concept of EI has not only
captured a great of the ordinary
people but more so by the
scientific community.
The concept of EI can be defined as the processes of mental
involvement in the understanding, recognition, management and the
use of personal and others’ state of emotion to regulate and solve
behaviors (Mayer & Salovey, 1997). EI has mostly been affiliated with
outcomes of life, such as better psychological well-being (Schutte,
Malouff, Thorsteinsson, Bhullar, & Rooke, 2007), high-quality social
relationships (Lopes et al., 2004), and increased career success
(Braidfoot & Swanson, 2012; Braidfoot & Swanson, 2013; Swanson &
Zobisch, 2014; Swanson et al., 2015). Results of previous studies
showed that EI predicts work performance (O’Boyle et al., 2011), job
satisfaction, work commitment, and job involvement (Carmeli, 2003).
Lopes, Grewal, Kadis, Gall, and Salovey (2006) studied the
relationship between positive work place outcomes and EI.
Researchers also show that EI has a major effect on the level of
performance on the managers and supervisors (Kumar, 2009).

5. Entrepreneurship
Strong Predictor of Workplace Performance
Decades of research now point to emotional
intelligence as the critical factor that sets star
performers apart from the rest of the pack
BRADBERRY (2015), A KEY AUTHOR ON EI

6. Prior studies have indicated that
EI may predict career success.
Information available has shown that EI can predict job performance
and job satisfaction. It was posited that EI may also affect
entrepreneurship, in terms of entrepreneurial behaviors and success.

7. Entrepreneurs continually succeed
in their efforts in the workplace.
Australian entrepreneurs were examined in terms of the EI abilities. In-depth
structured interviews were used. Results of the study showed that participants
exhibited higher EQ levels than the norm. The study confirmed this fact EI is a
prime factor in an entrepreneur’s success (Cross & Travaglione, 2005).

8. Entrepreneurship
– Client Relations / Retention
Boren (2010) explained the essentials of EI, however,
an essential element of the entrepreneurial
experience is client management and retention.

9. Current research on EI centers around
affections-feelings and emotions.
Entrepreneurs who tend to be more passionate about their work
tend to be more successful than others. However, the ability to
manage customers and employees are also important.

10. In recent years, the concept of EI has been
embraced by the scientific community.
Mortan, Ripoll, and Carvalo (2014) studied the effect of EI on entrepreneurial
intention and self-efficacy. EI has been affiliated with outcomes of life, such
as better psychological well-being, high-quality social relationships, and
increased career success.

11. Entrepreneurship
– Strong Social Interaction
McLaughlin (2012) wrote her dissertation on An
emotional business: The role of emotional
intelligence in entrepreneurial success.

12. Awad and Ali (2012) confirmed that a
managers’ EI, employee creativity, and
organizational atmosphere had a positive direct
effect on a person’s entrepreneurial orientation.

13. Ngah, Wahyukaton, Salleh, and Sarmidy
(2016) studied the effects EI on
entrepreneurs in Malaysia and Indonesia.
EI skills are important to entrepreneurs because of their need to manage social
interactions with other individuals. Such interactions include but not limited to activities
such as gaining and maintaining customers, presenting to investors, negotiating, as well
as attracting, selecting, and handling employees, suppliers, and partners.

14. Entrepreneurship
– Measuring Employee Perception
Prior to this research, there was no validated instrument that
had been available to use when examining employees
perception of their EI. New measures were constructed and
examined. It was found that EI was positively related to
proactive and personal control (Budd & Carraher, 1998).

15. Carland and Carland (1997) used several validated surveys to
help support the development of a model which can be used to
investigate individuals with a potential for entrepreneurship.
The model was tested statistically and visually. The outcomes were then
used to develop educational courses/programs in entrepreneurship.

16. Entrepreneurship
– Emotional Competency
Rhee (2014) conducted a web-based survey (Emotional
Competency Inventory – ECI) evaluating the EI of members of
the Young Entrepreneurs’ Organization (YEO).

17. Intrapreneurship
Those highly valuable executives and team members
who will perhaps never become a company founder, but
who have learned to apply the essential principles of
entrepreneurship to the roles they fill within a company.
WILLIAMS (2013)

18. Berzin and Pitt-Catsouphes (1998)
examined social innovation as it includes
the development and application of
varying solutions to social problems.

19. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The systemic review process was used for this study. Embedded
within the literature were findings from numerous studies. Our
literature review examined a wide range of articles from academic
databases including ProQuest, EBSCOhost, SAGE Journals Online,
JSTOR, ERIC, Google Scholar, and other Internet sites.

20. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The results of the study indicated a strong relationship
between EI and entrepreneurial success.

21. Five themes appeared in the research results.
First, was EI as a strong predictor of workplace performance. The second theme was the importance of EI in client
relations and in client retention. The third theme was the importance of EI on having strong social interactions as
entrepreneurs. The fourth theme was that EI can be used to measure employee (entrepreneurial) perceptions of
his or her jobs. The fifth theme was entrepreneurs with high EI demonstrated high emotional competence
(revealed high levels or self-confidence, persistence, initiative and adaptability). Although there was scarce
literature on intrapreneurship, the findings revealed the skills required are the same as an entrepreneur.

22. CONCLUDING COMMENTS
The ability to establish and maintain personal and professional relationships is an
underlying principle of EI. The ability to recognize and manage one’s own
emotions, as well as recognize the emotions and their effect on others is central to
the establishment of relationships. EI is a skill that can be learned and, with
practice, improved. Based on the themes that were found, the researchers will
begin to develop a thematic model for EI and entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs.
Further research will be conducted as EI applies to different personalities.