Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this quantitative correlation study was to identify whether there is a relationship between emotional intelligence and effective leadership practices, specifically with school administrators in Southern California K-12 public schools. Methods. This study was conducted using a quantitative descriptive design, correlation research method, to examine the relationship between emotional intelligence levels and effective leadership practices of public school administrators in Southern California. Findings. The correlation analysis indicated a large correlation between the two variables of .529. A simple linear regression analysis revealed a p value of .000 indicating that emotional intelligence is a predictor of effective leadership practices as measured by the LPI. The R-squared value indicated that .280 of effective leadership practices can be explained by emotional intelligence. Conclusions. These findings are significant due to the predictive results of emotional intelligence on effective leadership practices. With one quarter of the country's principals leaving their positions each year (School Leaders Network, 2014), it is vital to identify how to better prepare school leaders. By identifying a relationship between emotional intelligence and effective leadership practices, the universities that house principal preparation programs are provided with a research-based indicator of how to help the principals of tomorrow develop effective leadership practices necessary to be successful school leaders. Recommendations. The results of this study offer implications for future researchers interested in the relationship between emotional intelligence and effective leadership practices. It is recommended that this study be replicated using a 360 version of the emotional intelligence and LPI assessment instruments. The findings of this study are limiting due to the self-reporting nature of the instruments utilized. A study conducted using the 360 version of the instruments could potentially provide a more accurate score of the participants' emotional intelligence and effective leadership practices.