Emotional Intelligence and Self-Directed Learning

The purpose of this study was to investigate possible relationships between selfdirected
learning and emotional intelligence in healthcare managers. There are
commonalities between these constructs; however, they had not previously been
examined side by side. The interrelationships of these variables with age, gender, and
tenure with the health system in a supervisory role were examined. A post hoc hypothesis
exploring the relationships of self-directed learning, emotional intelligence, problem
solving ability needed on the job and the amount of change facing the manager in the
workplace was formulated after the data were collected. Conclusions focus on the strong interrelationship between self-directed learning
and emotional intelligence. This research failed to establish a link between performance,
self-directed learning and emotional intelligence, perhaps attributable to unanticipated
aspects of the performance review process of this health system. The study revealed
significant relationships between self-directed learning, degree of change in the job and
level of problem solving ability needed to perform the job. This topic merits further
investigation in circumstances in which the performance assessment system is more
likely to provide accurate, precise knowledge of the level of performance.