Emotional Intelligence: A Principle for Guiding Leadership-Staff Relationship

In contemporary organizational contexts, effective leadership requires more than technical expertise or strategic acumen; it demands relational sensitivity and emotional awareness. Emotional Intelligence (EI) encompasses the capacity to perceive, understand, regulate, and manage emotions in oneself and others. This paper examines EI as a critical principle for cultivating trust, empathy, collaboration, and healthy leader-staff relationships through a qualitative approach. It is opined that Leaders who demonstrate self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, social skills, and motivation are better equipped to resolve conflicts constructively, adopt open communication, and enhance team performance. Within faith-based institutions and ministry settings, EI transcends managerial relevance, aligning with biblical models of servant leadership rooted in compassion and relational maturity. Integrating emotional intelligence into leadership practices, church and ministry leaders would achieve organizational effectiveness and embody Christ-like qualities that nurture unity, growth, and holistic well-being.