Emotional intelligence among business consultants: A comparative study

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the levels of emotional intelligence (EI) of business consultants who work for a consulting firm in Bangkok, Thailand, and to compare the EI levels of these consultants based on gender and years in the industry. A questionnaire adapted from the theoretical framework of Goleman (1995) was completed by 80 business consultants. This instrument comprised of 45 items that can be grouped into fives EI competencies referred to as: (a) self-awareness, (b) self-regulation, (c) motivation, (d) empathy, and (e) social skills. The results were calculated in terms of percentages, mean scores, and standard deviations. T-test was also employed to determine the differences between levels of EI and the independent variables which are gender and years in the industry. The results revealed that the EI level of the business consultants was at a high level. However, there was no significant difference between levels of EI based on gender and years in the industry.