Uncovering the role of emotional abilities in leadership emergence. A longitudinal analysis of leadership networks

The aim of this paper is to investigate how different emotional abilities affect the emergence of task and relationship leaders in a group of 41 students. To conduct this investigation, leadership is envisioned as a dynamic network of leadership perceptions. The emergence of leadership and the role played by emotional abilities in this process are analyzed using Stochastic Actor Oriented Models (SAOMs). The results suggest that emotional abilities play complementary roles in emergent leadership. Whereas the abilities to perceive and manage emotions facilitate the emergence of relationship leaders, the abilities to use and understand them facilitate the emergence of task leaders. Highlights ► Emotional intelligence and the emergence of relationship and task leadership. ► Leadership envisioned as a dynamic network of leadership perceptions. ► Longitudinal network analysis (SAOM). ► Abilities to perceive and manage emotions facilitate the emergence of relationship leaders. ► Abilities to use and understand emotions facilitate the emergence of task leaders. ► Leaders need emotional intelligence