Primal Leadership: The Hidden Driver of Great Performance

We’ve known for years that emotional intelligence improves results—often by an order of magnitude. Now, new research shows that a leader’s mood plays a key role in that dynamic—a discovery that should redefine what leaders do first and best. by Daniel Goleman, Richard E. Boyatzis and Annie McKee

From the Magazine (December 2001)

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When the theory of emotional intelligence at work began to receive widespread attention, we frequently heard executives say—in the same breath, mind you—“That’s incredible,” and, “Well, I’ve known that all along.” They were responding to our research that showed an incontrovertible link between an executive’s emotional maturity, exemplified by such capabilities as self-awareness and empathy, and his or her financial performance. Simply put, the research showed that “good guys”—that is, emotionally intelligent men and women—finish first.

Read more on Emotional intelligence or related topics Leadership, Managing people and Power and influence

A version of this article appeared in the December 2001 issue of Harvard Business Review.

Daniel Goleman is codirector of the Consortium for Research on Emotional Intelligence in Organizations at Rutgers University. He is the author of Building Blocks of Emotional Intelligence, a 12-primer set on each of the emotional intelligence competencies, and he offers training on the competencies through an online learning platform, Emotional Intelligence Training Programs. His other books include Primal Leadership: Unleashing the Power of Emotional Intelligence and Altered Traits: Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain, and Body.

Richard E. Boyatzis is a professor in the departments of Organizational Behavior, Psychology, and Cognitive Science at the Weatherhead School of Management and Distinguished University Professor at Case Western Reserve University. He is a cofounder of the Coaching Research Lab and coauthor of Helping People Change (Harvard Business Review Press, 2019).

Annie McKee is a senior fellow at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education and the director of the PennCLO Executive Doctoral Program. She is the author of How to Be Happy at Work: The Power of Purpose, Hope, and Friendship (Harvard Business Review Press, 2017) and a coauthor of several books, including Becoming a Resonant Leader (Harvard Business Review Press, 2008) with Richard Boyatzis and Fran Johnston.

Primal Leadership: The Hidden Driver of Great Performance

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