Abstract

Successful leadership in sport organizations can be elusive. Several leadership approaches and theories are considered effective. Although complexities within sport organizations make it difficult to label particular leadership traits as requisites for successful sport management, emotional intelligence is a common thread to the successful management of sport organizations. Moods and emotions (George, 2000), and the expression of emotions (Wall, 2006), play a central role in leadership. As a successful sport manager, one must demonstrate positive emotions and at the same time develop, foster, and maintain positive emotions among employees. The success of leadership theories and approaches can be dependent on a sport manager’s awareness of and ability to manage one’s own emotions and employees’ emotions. The use of emotional intelligence can be used to enhance the sport manager’s preferred approach to leadership, which will support the success of the sport organization.