EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE OF EDUCATIONAL LEADERS: THE CASES OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS OF EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

This paper attempted to assess Emotional Intelligence of Educational Leaders of Higher Education Institutions of Eastern Ethiopia. The effort was made to identify the perception if instructors on their educational leaders and the leaders perception on their EI and to know the status of educational leaders EI and to find out whether there is a significant difference between educational leaders and academic staffs in perceiving educational leaders emotional intelligence in both Dire Dawa and Haramaya Univeristies. The study emerged descriptive survey design and the sample consisted of 256 participants; 44 educational leaders and 212 academic staffs from both universities. For data collection, primary source were used. Questionnaire and interview were used as instruments for data collection. Quantitative data were collected from department heads and instructors and Qualitative data were collected from deans of colleges, associate deans and academic staffs through interview. Data collected with questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency; percentage, mean and t-test whereas data from interview were analyzed qualitatively using descriptive narrations and interpretations. In order to select public universities, colleges and instructors from departments, simple random sampling technique was used. The findings revealed that the status of educational leaders El skill perceived low. This implied their ability to recognize and understand others emotions as well as the effect of it on others, the ability consistently work toward their goals , ability to put themselves in someone else’s situation and the ability of handling relationships is low. The instructors perceived their educational leaders’ as having low emotional intelligence. Whereas the study revealed that the educational leaders’ perception of their level of emotional intelligence is high. Accordingly, there was significant perception difference between educational leaders and academic staffs on their leaders’ emotional intelligence. Based on the findings, the researcher recommended those universities/ academic vice presidents educational leaders on the Emotional Intelligence concept and its benefit to the institution and also to the personal life. These could be arranged through different trainings and seminars by inviting guest speakers’ and professionals. Educational leaders such as dean of colleges, associate deans, department heads and coordinators have transfer their knowledge to the junior educational leaders, academic staffs and other staffs, through different trainings and seminars. Therefore, in order to keep a motivated workforce, and achieve the goals of the institution, educational leaders should focus on increasing their emotional intelligence that is their ability on understanding self and others emotion, motivation, empathy and social relationship.