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Exploring Emotional Intelligence Through Behavioural Manifestations : A Qualitative Inquiry
Shahin, Antonia (2025) Exploring Emotional Intelligence Through Behavioural Manifestations : A Qualitative Inquiry.
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| Abstract: | In today’s digital era, where technology increasingly manages tasks like analysis and decision-making, emotional intelligence (EI) has become essential in roles that rely on human connection and communication. This thesis explores how EI is expressed through both verbal and non-verbal behaviour. While EI is widely studied, most research relies on self-report measures that overlook the complexity of real interactions. This study uses qualitative, semi-structured interviews with professionals in interpersonal roles to uncover how EI is enacted in practice. Findings show that emotionally intelligent behaviours are often unconscious and context-dependent. Participants highlighted actions such as reflective questioning, empathetic tone, affirming gestures, and adaptive communication as signs of EI. These fall into three dimensions: verbal expression, non-verbal signals, and their dynamic interplay. By framing EI as a behavioural process rooted in communication, this research moves beyond trait-based models. It shows how individuals co-regulate emotions in real-time through speech, tone, and embodied presence. The study proposes EI as a set of learnable and observable behaviours, offering a foundation for coaching, recruitment, and organisational development. It also recommends creating a structured behavioural EI codebook to support more effective leadership, collaboration, and emotionally intelligent communication in the workplace. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 05 communication studies, 70 social sciences in general, 77 psychology, 81 education, teaching, 85 business administration, organizational science |
| Programme: | Business Administration MSc (60644) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/107575 |
| Export this item as: | BibTeX EndNote HTML Citation Reference Manager |
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