Challenges of Emotional Intelligence among Construction Stakeholders

Emotional intelligence (EI) is a psychological term for understanding people and how they deal with their emotions and that of others. The project-based nature of the construction industry as well as large numbers of people involved in the delivery of quality projects and provide organizational success makes the industry a unique one. In view of this, various challenges associated with EI among construction stakeholders were examined with a view to suggest various ways of overcoming them. Using survey approach, primary data was collected by the use of well-structured questionnaires distributed to stakeholders from client, contracting, and consulting firms in the construction industry. Lack of proper education and unwillingness to change are the major challenges to EI in the industry. However, overcoming these barriers to improving levels of EI would be a good start to ensuring the industry consists of stakeholders that are able to balance work-life towards project success.