Strategies for Using Emotional Intelligence in Healthcare to Decrease Turnover

Some healthcare organizational leaders lack strategies for using emotional intelligence (EI) to improve employee engagement, job satisfaction, and retention. Solving this problem is pivotal for healthcare leaders, as it can result in positive work environments, increase employee satisfaction, reduce turnover, and enhance patient care, benefiting healthcare employees, patients, and stakeholders. Grounded in the EI framework, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore EI strategies business leaders in healthcare use to improve employee engagement, job satisfaction, and retention. Data were collected using semistructured interviews with six business healthcare leaders who successfully implemented EI strategies to reduce employee turnover in the last 5 years. Collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis, where four key themes emerged: organizational dynamics and communication, emotional competency in leadership, employee satisfaction and motivation, and cultural influence on organizational practice. A key recommendation is that business leaders in healthcare prioritize the implementation of EI to cultivate an environment where emotions are acknowledged and valued, fostering openness, collaboration, and psychological safety. The implications for positive social change include the potential for healthcare leaders to establish a stable workforce, improve workplace morale and motivation, and promote the long-term sustainability of healthcare services.