Based on my experience of working on many complex projects,
emotional intelligence is key but often taken for granted or even forgotten or
assumed. Is emotional intelligence one of the traits of a great Project
Manager? Perhaps it is, however not always. If the role also encompasses making
sure people affected by the change, buy-in to the end vision then yes, it is
imperative, as understanding people’s behaviours will often be the first indicator
to the project's success or failure. However, if the role is only concerned with
tracking project progress then I could argue it is not required. Emotional
intelligence in change manager roles – that is the key skill!