Concluding Thought

Adults can develop emotional intelligence. Our research with professionals and graduate students has confirmed this finding. Adults can develop the abilities that are vital to outstanding performance in management, leadership, and many other occupations and professions. As leaders and managers, we can only create environments in which others want to use their capabilities and emotional intelligence if we ourselves are authentic and consistent in our own demonstration of these behaviors. Through the self-directed learning process, we have the opportunity to truly make a difference by developing emotional intelligence in ourselves. And then by extension, to help others develop them. Whether applied in universities or companies, government agencies or nonprofits, this process can help us coach each other to create the social environments we want and find so conducive to making a difference.