Emotional Intelligence and Creativity: New Research and Practices
How to focus on your emotional intelligence and improve your creative thinking.
Posted May 14, 2026 | Reviewed by Michelle Quirk
By definition, emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to recognize, understand, manage, and effectively use emotions. It typically includes five components: (1) self-awareness, (2) self-regulation , (3) motivation , (4) empathy, and (5) social skills. Simply put, EI is about being “smart” with emotions—using them constructively rather than being controlled by them.
Interestingly, there’s been some compelling research in concert with several personal practices that underscore the connection between EI and our creative endeavors. Let’s take a look.
What the Research Says
A large-scale meta-analysis conducted in 2019 (Xu et al.) synthesized findings from multiple empirical studies to clarify whether EI is reliably associated with creativity. The study concluded that EI is positively related to creativity, but the relationship is modest rather than strong. The authors suggest that emotionally intelligent people may be more creative because they are better at (1) using emotional information to generate ideas, (2) navigating affective states that support flexible thinking, and (3) managing emotional barriers like anxiety or rigidity that can inhibit ideation. They were careful to note that EI does not directly “cause” creativity but rather appears to be one contributing cognitive-affective factor among several.
A 2025 article (Borzée) contends that enhancing self-awareness, emotional regulation , and empathy provides the foundation for innovative problem-solving. The author points to four benefits of the EI/creativity paradigm: (1) EI enhances self-awareness, allowing one to channel feelings into creative expression; (2) emotional regulation helps one persevere through creative obstacles; (3) EI fosters empathy for diverse perspectives; and (4) EI helps one develop the resilience necessary to view setbacks as learning experiences.
A 2025 systematic review (Jalifi et al.) analyzed 23 research studies and found that EI is positively associated with creativity in adults, though results vary depending on how both are measured. The article concluded that stronger emotional skills likely support creative thinking and recommends more consistent methods and research to clarify this intriguing relationship. As the authors noted, “Implications of the study highlight the importance of developing emotional competencies to enhance creativity and personal success in social contexts.”
Research Into Practice
This research suggests that EI can be a “creative awareness system”—one that helps you sense social feedback and use it as raw material for innovative ideas. Also addressed is the process of adjusting your mindset so that emotions become a stimulant (rather than a barrier) for originality. Psychologist Daniel Goleman (the author of Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than I.Q ) put it this way, “In a very real sense we have two minds, one that thinks and one that feels.”
With that, let’s take a look at some sustaining EI activities that can have a positive effect on your overall creativity.
Emotional intelligence can be reframed as a “creative awareness system”—one that can help you notice, interpret, and work with your own mental and emotional patterns. While it doesn’t replace talent or skill, it is a way of accessing deep ideas, sustaining effort, and connecting creativity to personal everyday experiences.
Xu, X., Liu, W., & Pang, W. (2019). Are emotionally intelligent people more creative? A meta-analysis of the emotional intelligence-creativity link. Sustainability, 11(21), 6123.
Borzée, M. (2025, March 19). The connection between emotional intelligence and creativity: Unlocking innovative potential. Equanima.
Jalifi, S. Y., Krumm, G. L., Marchesini, M. P., & Arán Filippetti, V. (2025). Creativity and emotional intelligence in adults: A systematic review and recommendations for future research. Creativity. Theories – Research – Application s, 12(2), 46–72.
Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ . Bantam Books.
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Anthony D. Fredericks, Ed.D. is Professor Emeritus of Education at York College of Pennsylvania. His latest book is The Healing Wisdom of the Forest: Timeless Lessons of Renewal, Tranquility and Joy .
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This article is part of the Bringwise Psychology Journal — daily insights on human behavior, mental health, and personal growth.