Developing emotional intelligence for leadership in an Australian state emergency service

The organizational benefits of emotionally intelligent leaders and leadership are well documented. Likewise, the potential organizational gains from an investment in programmes designed to develop the emotional intelligence of leaders are strongly supported. The critical factor is whether the programmes for developing emotional intelligence will be effective and achieve the desired outcomes. This presentation is based on a study that explored how emotional intelligence can be developed and a subsequent program designed to develop emotional intelligence in a senior management group of a State Emergency Service in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.