THE ROLE OF EMOTIONAL CONTROL IN TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP: IMPLICATIONS FOR EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY IN THE HEALTHCARE SECTOR

Abstract

This study investigated the role of emotional control in transformational leadership and its implications for employee engagement and organizational sustainability in the healthcare sector. Using a descriptive survey research design, data were collected from 333 healthcare professionals at Central Hospital, Delta State. Two key dimensions of emotional control cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression were analyzed using descriptive and regression statistics via SPSS version 26. Results showed that cognitive reappraisal significantly influences transformational leadership effectiveness by enhancing leaders’ ability to manage emotions, inspire subordinates, and communicate vision effectively. Expressive suppression also had a positive, though more restrained, impact by helping leaders maintain composure and professionalism in emotionally demanding situations. However, excessive suppression was found to weaken interpersonal connections. The study concludes that effective emotional regulation enhances transformational leadership, fosters employee engagement, and contributes to organizational sustainability. It recommended among other things that healthcare organizations promote leadership training focused on emotional regulation to strengthen leadership effectiveness and workforce engagement