The Primacy of Interpersonal Skills: How Social Awareness and Relationship Management Drive Leadership Effectiveness in Nigerian Organizations

Emotions are increasingly recognized as valuable leadership resources that shape the quality of interpersonal relationships and organizational outcomes. This study empirically investigates emotional intelligence (EI) as a core leadership asset within Nigerian organizations. Drawing from the ability-based model of emotional intelligence, it examines how four EI dimensions self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness, and relationship management predict leadership effectiveness. A cross-sectional survey design was employed using 300 employees across public and private organizations in Kano and Abuja. Standardized questionnaires measured perceived emotional intelligence of leaders and their effectiveness across communication, decision-making, motivation, and conflict resolution. Data were analyzed using multiple regression and structural equation modelling. Findings revealed that social awareness and relationship management significantly predict leadership effectiveness, while self-regulation had a moderate effect. The study concludes that emotions represent not a liability but a strategic leadership asset capable of enhancing performance, cohesion, and employee commitment. Implications for leadership development and organizational policy are discussed.