A transformative model for teaching and learning emotional intelligence for aspiring entrepreneurial leaders

Entrepreneurial leaders, social-science researchers, and small business practitioners call for the early development of emotional intelligence (EI). Although several programs integrate key EI concepts, there are few examples of how to develop an integrated learning framework for teaching and learning EI skills for daily use. This article introduces a practical transformative model of emotional intelligence (TEI) that emphasizes the personally meaningful development of personal, emotional, relationship, and life skills that are so important for school, work, and life success. A 1-day seminar experience embedded in a European-based international summer school course in the School of Management Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland, generated new evidence for how a skills-based curriculum in EI can be used to empower future entrepreneurs and leaders. The study reveals new findings for integrating a practical approach for engendering TEI for leaders.