The Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Conflict Management Styles in Active Karate Coaches in Isfahan Province

Coach's emotional intelligence inspires health and development of sport teams. Balancing emotion and thought, emotional intelligence influences conflict conditions in workplace environment. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between emotional intelligence and conflict management styles in the active karate coaches in Isfahan province in 2012. 285 subjects were selected from karate coach population. 281 questionnaires were correctly completed and analyzed. The data of the study were collected by two questioners: Stephen Robbins Questionnaire for conflict management and SiberYaShring Questionnaire for emotional intelligence. There was a significant relationship between all conflict management styles and emotional intelligence. Avoidance and competitive conflict management styles were reversely correlated with emotional intelligence. Compatible, collaboration and compromise conflict management styles were directly correlated with emotional intelligence. Generally, results proved that coaches with higher emotional intelligence benefitted from more compatible conflict management styles and less incompatible conflict management styles.