Manager emotional intelligence and project success: The mediating role of job satisfaction and trust

•This study test the underlining mechanisms between project managers’ emotional intelligence and project success•Emotional intelligence has a positive impact on project success, job satisfaction and trust•Job satisfaction and trust mediate the relationship between emotional intelligence and project success•This study demonstrates two work attitudes which can both serve to boost project success in complex project situations

The number of complex projects is increasing across many sectors and the associated challenges are substantial. Using a field study we aim to understand how project managers' emotional intelligence (EI) contributes to project success. We propose and test a model linking EI to project success and examine the mediating effects of project managers' job satisfaction and trust on this relationship. Based on data collected from 373 project managers in the Australian defence industry, our results indicate that EI has a positive impact on project success, job satisfaction, and trust. Moreover, we found evidence that job satisfaction and trust mediate the relationship between EI and project success. Our findings suggest that top management should be aware of the importance of project managers' job satisfaction and trust, which can both serve to boost project success in complex project situations.