Role of Social Intelligence in Transformational Leadership - An Empirical Study Among IT Industry Employees in Bangalore

Abstract

In the rapidly evolving and technology-driven business environment, effective leadership is critical for organizational success. Transformational leadership, characterized by inspiration, motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration, has been identified as one of the most effective leadership styles. In this context, social intelligence—defined as the ability to understand social situations, interpret others’ emotions, and respond appropriately—emerges as a vital competency for leaders. This study examines the role of social intelligence in transformational leadership among employees in the Information Technology (IT) industry, with particular reference to demographic variables.

A descriptive research design was employed, and primary data were collected from 91 IT industry employees using a structured questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale. Convenience sampling was adopted for data collection. Percentage analysis was used to examine the demographic profile and assess the levels of social intelligence and transformational leadership among respondents. The Chi-square test was applied to determine the relationship between demographic variables (age, gender, education, income, nature of job, and work experience) and transformational leadership.

The findings reveal that IT employees exhibit moderate to high levels of social intelligence, particularly in empathy, communication, adaptability, and relationship management. Transformational leadership traits, such as inspirational motivation, ethical conduct, and individualized consideration, were also prevalent. Percentage analysis highlighted a predominantly young, female workforce with limited work experience, reflecting the early-career composition of the sample. Chi-square results indicate that demographic variables do not have a significant relationship with transformational leadership, confirming that leadership effectiveness is primarily behavior-driven rather than demographically determined.

The study concludes that social intelligence plays a crucial role in enhancing transformational leadership among IT employees. Organizations should emphasize the development of social intelligence through targeted training, coaching, and mentoring programs to strengthen leadership effectiveness. By fostering socially intelligent transformational leaders, IT organizations can enhance employee engagement, team collaboration, and overall organizational performance.

Keywords: Social Intelligence, Transformational Leadership, IT Industry, Chi-square Analysis, Leadership Competencies.

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