Linking Emotional Intelligence to Charismatic Leadership: Evidence from Management Students

This study examines the charismatic potential of future leaders among students enrolled in management sciences programs in selected regions of Pakistan. Charismatic leadership plays a critical role in inspiring and influencing others, particularly in diverse and dynamic environments. Using a quantitative, correlational (cross-sectional) research design, this study assessed the relationships among charismatic leadership, charismatic communication, and emotional intelligence. Data were collected through a survey method using purposive sampling. A total sample of 249 postgraduate students from universities in Islamabad, Punjab and Azad Jammu & Kashmir participated in the study. Results showed that emotional intelligence significantly predicted charismatic leadership communication (R² = .32, p < .001), and notable differences were observed across gender. Male students scored higher on charismatic communication. The findings of this study have significant implications for leadership development programs, educational institutions and organizational practices in Pakistan, to inculcate emotional intelligence and charismatic leadership into trainings and skillsets for university students as well as for leaders and managers in workforces.