A preliminary investigation of the links between interpersonal skills training, team emotional intelligence and team performance

A debate exists regarding the efficacy of training interventions in emotional intelligence. While some authors claim that emotional intelligence cannot be learned, others argue it can. Despite this ongoing debate, emotional intelligence training is being offered to organisations. These training packages range from simple interpersonal skills training to more emotions focused programs. In this paper, we report our preliminary findings from one study in an overall research project seeking to determine the extent to which training increases team performance and / or emotional intelligence. The results presented in this paper provide evidence that while basic interpersonal skills training improves team performance it does not effect team emotional intelligence. (108 words)