Abstract:

Agile projects rely on teamwork, trust, and fast collaboration, yet the emotional factors behind team performance are still not well synthesised. This systematic literature review examines how Emotional Intelligence (EI), the ability to recognise, understand, and regulate emotions, shapes team performance in Agile environments. Guided by the SPIDER framework, we reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2025, searching IEEE Xplore, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycINFO. After screening 1,016 records and applying quality appraisal, 14 high-quality empirical studies were included. Narrative thematic synthesis shows five consistent themes: (1) EI supports Agile success by improving adaptive performance; (2) trust and psychological safety mediate EI’s impact on outcomes; (3) EI buffers stress, anxiety, and conflict under rapid change; (4) EI strengthens servant leadership and decision-making in roles such as Scrum Master and Product Owner; and (5) Digital EI is increasingly important in remote and hybrid Agile teams. Overall, EI is not a peripheral “soft skill” but a core capability for collaboration, resilience, and sustained Agile performance.

Please choose your submission type: Full Paper

Primary Track: Performance Management

Keywords: employee performance;management control;organizational effectiveness;performance improvement;performance management

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Ms. Aiman Mukhtar