Emotional Intelligence and Public Relations

Emotional intelligence, often referred to as emotional quotient (EQ), has emerged as a critical soft skill in public relations (PR), proven essential for performance, leadership, and fostering collaborative organizational cultures. Despite its importance, EQ remains understudied in PR contexts. This groundbreaking volume presents the first comprehensive collection of cutting-edge research and theoretical and practical insights exploring the pivotal role of EQ across PR practice and education. Leading scholars contribute original research, theoretical frameworks, and case studies examining EQ in various settings. The book covers diverse topics including EQ's importance in PR roles, internal communication, listening and mindfulness, leadership, intercultural relations, work-life harmony, crisis communication, health communication, organizational listening, social capital, and diversity initiatives. Each chapter provides practical recommendations for implementing EQ principles in daily PR practice and future research directions. This essential resource serves multiple audiences: PR educators seeking to incorporate EQ into their curriculum, researchers exploring the intersection of EQ and communication, and practitioners looking to enhance their professional capabilities. Whether used as a supplementary text for PR theory courses, a foundation for professional development, or a required text for specialized EQ classes, this volume delivers valuable insights into why EQ truly is the new IQ in public relations.

Weiwu Zhang, PhD, is Professor of Strategic Communication and Associate Dean in the College of Communication, Information, and Media at Ball State University. He was Research Chair of the Public Relations Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC). He also served as editor for Communication Booknotes Quarterly, a book notes and book review journal published by the Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. His research examines political public relations and political communication. His current scholarship centers on emotional intelligence and public relations, emotional intelligence and academic leadership in higher education. Zhang has published about 40 journal articles and book chapters on political public relations, political communication, and emotional intelligence and public relations in leading refereed journals such as the Journal of Public Relations Research, Public Relations Review, the International Journal of Strategic Communication, Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, and Communication Research, among others.

Chapter 1 Introduction: Emotional Intelligence and Public Relations Weiwu Zhang Chapter 2 The Vital Role of Emotional Intelligence for Public Relations Roles, Leadership, and the Profession Melissa D. Dodd Chapter 3 Emotional Intelligence and Internal Communication Silvia Ravazzani and Alessandra Mazzei Chapter 4 Emotional Intelligence and the Power of Self-Reflection in Public Relations Leadership Elina V. Erzikova and Bruce K. Berger Chapter 5 Listening as a "Secret Weapon:" How Emotional Intelligence and Mindfulness Drive Public Relations Outcomes Zifei Fay Chen and Katie R. Place Chapter 6 Emotional Intelligence and Intercultural Public Relations Lan Ni and Zahra T. Khan Chapter 7 An Integrated Model of Emotional Intelligence and Work-Life Balance in Public Relations Yi Luo, Dongdong Yang, and Hua Jiang Chapter 8 Integrating Emotional Intelligence with Various Theoretical Perspectives in Health Public Relations Pratiti Diddi, Sushma Kumble, and Sojung Claire Kim Chapter 9 Emotional Intelligence and Crisis Communication Jin-Ae Kang Chapter 10 Human-Centered Public Relations: Harnessing Emotional Intelligence to Drive Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Savannah Henderson and Luke Capizzo Chapter 11 The Listening Leader: How Emotional Intelligence Enhances Workplace Relationships and Outcomes Julie O'Neil Chapter 12 Emotional Intelligence and Social Capital in Public Relations: The Entanglement of Emotion Management and Organizational Relationships Jeannette Iannacone and Erich J. Sommerfeldt Chapter 13 Emotional Intelligence and Public Relations in the Future Weiwu Zhang