Enhancing Team Effectiveness Through Leader Emotional Intelligence and Knowledge Sharing: Structural Equation Modeling Approach

Abstract

Leader’s non-cognitive abilities and knowledge sharing behavior among team members remains a central concern of healthcare teams for the effective team outcomes. As in complex healthcare environment leaders have to confront with contradictory behaviors. Therefore, the research study attempts to address question how exchange of knowledge amongst health professionals who are associated and working in teams enhances the team effectiveness under emotionally competent leadership. Considering the factor; that leader emotional intelligence is a critical proficiency which may influences sharing of knowledge in health care teams, in terms of final outcomes and effectiveness criteria. A cross-sectional study with structural modeling approach by using Smart PLS was employed to examine the mediating effect of knowledge sharing on relationship of leader emotional intelligence and team effectiveness Data were analyzed by means of a self-reported questionnaire from 225 health care professionals who were working with teams. The study findings indicated knowledge sharing within interprofessional health care teams is influenced by leader emotional intelligence. Furthermore, it was shown that leader emotional intelligence and knowledge sharing is positively related to team effectiveness. Mediation analysis revealed that knowledge sharing mediates the relationship between leader emotional intelligence and team effectiveness. In practice, the results of the study provide a valuable starting point for healthcare leadership to educate them on emotional competencies and encourage knowledge sharing as it deemed important for achieving effectiveness.