Innovation Through Team Emotional Intelligence

Our research shows that team-level emotional intelligence (TEI) isn’t simply the sum of team members’ individual EI. Team emotional intelligence is expressed in team norms and member expectations of one another. Emotionally intelligent teams build norms that support awareness and management of emotion and emotional issues inside and outside the team and develop deep levels of team trust, team identity and team efficacy. Without these, team members are more likely to hold back than to fully engage in collaboration and the pro-social actions necessary for innovation and the highest levels of team performance.

We’ve spent over 20 years studying the influence of emotionally intelligent team norms (Team EI Norms) on team collaboration, innovation, and performance. Our research shows that Team EI Norms build the foundation for true collaboration and cooperation—helping otherwise skilled teams fulfill their highest potential.