Emotional intelligence, transformational leadership and implementation of NUSAF projects in Pallisa district local government.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between emotional intelligence, transformational leadership and project implementation using empirical evidence from NUSAF projects in Pallisa District Local Government. The study was guided by four specific objectives namely; to examine the relationship between emotional intelligence and project implementation, to determine the influence of emotional intelligence and transformational leadership, to establish the relationship between transformational leadership and project implementation, and to determine the mediating effect of transformational leadership on emotional intelligence and project implementation. The study was grounded on relational competence theory. The study targeted 130 NUSAF projects, and a sample size of 97 projects were determined using Krejcies and Morgan Table (1970). The sample was derived using simple random sampling. The study adopted a cross sectional research design. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Validity and reliability were checked using expert judgment and Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficient and all items that scored a CVI and Cronbach’s alpha Coefficient above 0.5 were retained for subsequent analysis. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analysis. The results revealed that emotional intelligence significantly influences project implementation. The study findings further revealed that emotional intelligence influences transformational leadership. However, the findings indicated no significant relationship between transformational leadership and project implementation. The study findings also revealed no mediating effect of transformational leadership on the relationship between emotional intelligence and project implementation. The study concluded that although emotional intelligence improves project implementation and transformational leadership, transformational leadership does not affect project implementation, nor does it mediate emotional intelligence and project implementation. The study therefore recommends that transformational leadership should be integrated with other project leadership styles to improve project implementation and perhaps to be able to mediate or moderate emotional intelligence and project implementation. The study suggests that future academician should conduct another study on the mediating role of transformational leadership on emotional intelligence and project implementation using either NUSAF projects or other projects in different study context to determine if the results of this study holds.