Personality type: optimizing the development of emotional intelligence.

Abstract

The development of managers’ emotional intelligence (EI) has been advocated as fundamental to their success as leaders. Despite the Meyers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) being one of the most widely applied psychological measures of personality type in leadership development, there is inconclusive evidence on the relationship between personality type and EI. This study examined the relationship between personality preference types and emotional intelligence (EI) in a sample of 1 121 employees in a South African investment bank. Instruments for data collection included the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the Bar-On Emotional Intelligence Quotient (Bar-On EQ-i). Data were analyzed utilizing one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine the effects of personality preference types on EI. Findings suggest a significant, positive relationship between overall EI and the personality preferences of extroversion, thinking and judging. The feeling preference affected interpersonal EI positively. Intuitive-thinking personality types showed significantly higher intrapersonal and mood EI subcomponent scores and sensing-feeling personality types demonstrated significantly lower EI subcomponent scores for intrapersonal and stress tolerance. Findings suggest that areas for EI development can be inferred from MBTI personality type preferences. Aligning coaching and development with personality preferences present valuable EI development alternatives.