Positive Relational Management for Sustainable Development: Beyond Personality Traits—The Contribution of Emotional Intelligence

Abstract

Positive relationships are of major importance in our personal and working lives for promoting well-being, and fostering healthy and sustainable organizations. The research literature suggests that emotional intelligence is a key factor in promoting and maintaining positive relationships. We examined the association between trait emotional intelligence and positive relational management in Italian workers, controlling for the effects of personality traits. Participants were administered the Big Five Questionnaire (BFQ), the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire Short Form (TEIQue-SF) and the Positive Relational Management Scale (PRMS). Hierarchical regression analyses showed that trait emotional intelligence explained an additional 14–16% of the variance beyond personality traits in relation to positive relational management in workers. These results underscore the relationship between trait emotional intelligence and positive relational management, offering new opportunities for promoting both personal well-being and healthy and sustainable organizations.