The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Worker Performance and Work-Life Balance with Leadership as a Moderator: A Systematic Literature Review

Purpose While Emotional Intelligence is vastly studied, its impact on worker performance (WP) and work-life balance (WLB), especially with leadership as a moderating key, remains underexplored. This study addresses this gap by systematically reviewing previous literature. Aims The main aim to explore the role of EI on WP and WLB, with leadership as a moderating factor. Others include developing a conceptual framework connecting EI dimensions with organizational commitment, employee engagement, and personal well-being. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review of 50 peer-reviewed articles from the Scopus database (2014–2024) was employed. The study also adopts Bar-On’s model, the Ability model, and Expectancy theory to analyze the co-relationship between EI, WP, and WLB, considering leadership as a key moderator. Findings The study emphasizes Emotional Intelligence’s essential role in improving employee engagement, organizational commitment, and work-life harmony. It exemplifies that effective leadership amplifies these positive aspects, boosting resilience and overall workplace success. Limitations of the study the study has been limited to a literature-based review, lacking empirical validation. Future study could incorporate primary data based and industry-specific case studies for broader implications. Practical implications The findings explore valuable insights for organizations to influence EI in leadership improvement, worker well-being strategies, and performance development initiatives. Originality/value This study provides a novel perspective on the interplay role between Emotional Intelligence, Leadership, Worker Performance and Work-Life Balance. It is offered as a valuable reference for scholars and professionals aiming to improve workplace productivity and worker well-being through EI-driven strategies.