Emotional Intelligence as a Moderator of the Relationship between Conscientiousness and Performance

Abstract

This study investigates whether the relationship between conscientiousness and performance , is stronger for individuals who are high on emotional intelligence. The results of hierarchical moderated regression analyses supported the hypothesis by demonstrating that the relationship between conscientiousness and work performance is positive for individuals high (versus low) in emotional intelligence. However, the opposite pattern was found for those low in emotional intelligence; that is, increases in conscientiousness were associated with decreases in performance. Implications of these results are discussed, as are directions for future research.