Emotional Intelligence (EI) is the ability to identify our own feelings and those of others in order to motivate ourselves and manage emotions effectively in ourselves and others. Till recently, Intelligence Quotient (IQ) as a measure of excellence of capacities of the human mind, personality and technical expertise was considered essential for success in professional life. Of late, however, there is a growing realization that success takes more than these capabilities in the form of EI. Considering the present status of research on the subject, the paper presents a descriptive research to find out the importance of EI for professional success through a survey of the top management executives working in the manufacturing and services sectors, both in the government and private sector organizations in Delhi, Ghaziabad and Noida. Based on the statistical analysis of the data collected, EI was found to be important for the professional success of top management executives at 99% level of confidence for one-tailed test.

Till recently, Intelligence Quotient (IQ) as a measure of excellence of capacities of the human mind, personality and technical expertise was considered essential for success in professional life. Of late, however, there is a growing realization that success takes more than these capabilities in the form of Emotional Intelligence (EI). EI is a relatively recent behavioral model, rising to prominence in 1995 with Goleman’s (1995) bestselling book, Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ, followed by his another book (1998), Working with Emotional Intelligence. Goleman (1998) emphasizes that EI matters more than IQ and technical expertise in determining professional success in any discipline. There are adverse consequences to having low EI. This includes relationship problems, workplace rage, bad decisions, failure to advance in a career and poor physical and mental health.

For success in professional life and for performing various managerial roles and functions effectively, a manager is expected to excel in leadership, motivation, communication, decision making, interpersonal relations and change management. The study aims to find the importance of EI for these competencies and thereby, for success in professional life through a survey of top management executives working in the manufacturing and service sectors, both in the government and private sector organizations in Delhi, Ghaziabad and Noida.

Management Research Journal, Perception, Top Management, Executives Towards Importance, Professional Success, Emotional Intelligence, Intelligence Quotient, Managerial Roles, Functions for Success in Professional Life, Intellectual Intelligence.