The Relationship between Leadership Skills and Emotional Intelligence in Gifted Middle Stage Students

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the relationship between leadership behavior and emotional intelligence with other variables. A sample of 112 male and female gifted students was chosen from King Abdullah II for Excellence schools in Al-Karak governorate, Jordan. The students’ characteristics were investigated using the scale of behavioral characteristics for the gifted (Renzuli, White, & Gallahan, 1992). Two scales were developed on leadership behavior skills and emotional intelligence. The results revealed that the level of leadership behavior skills and emotional intelligence was high and that these are related. Differences were found in the leadership behavior of the males, while for females there were differences in emotional intelligence and self-management. Males also showed differences in the areas of controlling emotions and managing relationships. The results also indicated that leadership behavior predicts 6% of emotional intelligence. The study recommends paying more attention to the leadership behavior skills of gifted students, as well as developing these students and focusing on the emotional intelligence of gifted students.