The role of personality, emotional intelligence and spiritual intelligence among leaders in corporate South Africa

Abstract

This study established to what extent personality, emotional intelligence (EQ) and spiritual intelligence (SQ) played a role in leadership excellence. The study further sought to investigate the relationship between personality, emotional intelligence and spiritual intelligence with six (6) physiological drivers, namely Brain Fitness, Stress Coping, Nutrition, Mindset, Sleep and Exercise which are all key parts of leadership excellence. The study furthermore determined the impact of these physiological drivers on Emotional Intelligence.

Phase I, the quantitative phase, involved the administration of three (3) questionnaires, namely the Hogan Personality Inventory (HPI), the EQi2.0 (an emotional intelligence assessment tool), as well as the Neuro Agility Profile (NAP). A total of seventy A sequential explanatory mixed methods research design was used during the course of the study. (70) participants volunteered to participate in the study. Phase II of the study, the qualitative phase, consisted of semi structured in-depth interviews in which six (6) participants partook.

Quantitative data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 26©. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the sample and to report on the prevalence of personality, emotional intelligence and spiritual intelligence. The results indicated that certain personality traits, namely Ambition, Sociability, Interpersonal Sensitivity, Inquisitive and Learning Approach were prevalent among the leaders participating in the study. The participants also displayed adequate emotional intelligence and measured high in spiritual intelligence.

Correlational statistics were computed which indicated a significant positive relationship between spiritual intelligence and four (4) elements of emotional intelligence, namely Self-perception, Self-expression, Interpersonal and Stress Management. Positive, significant correlations were established between four (4) elements of emotional intelligence (Self-perception, Self-expression, Decision-making and Stress Management) and two elements of personality, namely Adjustment and Interpersonal Sensitivity. Lastly, spiritual intelligence correlated positively and significantly with only one element of personality, namely Adjustment. Three (3) stepwise multiple regression analyses were conducted to determine which variables of personality and spiritual intelligence significantly impacted the elements of emotional intelligence.

The first regression analysis indicated that 38.1% of the variance was explained by Spiritual Intelligence (beta = 0.308; p ≤ .05), followed by Learning Approach (beta = 0.265; p ≤ .05), Interpersonal Sensitivity (beta = 0.254; p ≤ .05) and Adjustment (beta 0.226; p ≤ .05). The second regression analysis showed that a third (33.3%) of the variance in Self-expression was explained by Adjustment (beta = 0.334; p ≤ .05), followed by Interpersonal Sensitivity (beta = 0.271; p ≤ .05) and Age (beta = 0.212; p ≤ .05). The third analysis demonstrated that 40% of variance was accounted for by two (2) of the predictor variables. These are Interpersonal Sensitivity (beta = 0.511; p ≤ .05) and Spiritual Intelligence (beta = 0.217; p ≤ .05). The fourth analysis indicated that 51% of the predictor variables account for Decision-making. These four (4) were Learning Approach (beta = 0.413; p ≤ .05), Adjustment (beta = 0.357; p ≤ .05), Sociability (beta = -0.301; p ≤ .05) and Interpersonal sensitivity (beta = 0.200; p ≤ .05). Finally, the fifth regression analysis demonstrated that 37.7% of variance in Stress Management was accounted for by three (3) predictors. These three (3) were Adjustment (beta = 0.385; p ≤ .05), Learning Approach (beta = 0.246; p ≤ .05) and Interpersonal Sensitivity (beta = 0.236; p ≤ .05).

In terms of physiological drivers as well as age and gender, three (3) of the eight independent variables have the greatest significant impact on the total score of emotional intelligence. These variables are Mindset (beta = 0,362; p ≤ .05), Nutrition (beta = 0,296; p ≤ .05), and Age (beta = 0,237; p ≤ .05).

Qualitative data were thematically analysed using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase approach for thematic analysis. Six (6) themes were identified namely, Individual leadership attributes, Interaction with others, Personal intent to make impact, Line of sight between the leaders and society, Organisational obligations and finally, Awareness of the macro context within which leadership occurs.

A staged weaving approach was used to integrate the quantitative and qualitative data. It was found that five (5) themes supported the findings of the quantitative results which added depth and richness to the latter. The five (5) themes are Individual Leadership Attributes, Interaction with others, Personal intent to make impact, Line of sight between the leader and society as well as Awareness of the macro context within which leadership occurs. It was also determined that emotional intelligence and spiritual intelligence are foundational to Steward leadership, which manifested as leadership excellence in the present study. It was argued that corporate leaders who exhibit excellent leadership will be best positioned to address present day challenges in the corporate environment. Some of the challenges identified within the context of this study, are the post-Covid-19 era and its remanence; Digital Transformation; as well as Inclusivity in an increasingly virtual world.

It is recommended that, to enhance corporate leadership through the lens of the present study, corporations in South Africa need to embed these findings in their day-to-day functioning. To this end, training, upskilling, and leadership enhancement initiatives need to be reframed to bear the role and significance of Personality, Emotional Intelligence and Spiritual Intelligence.