Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Policy and Administration

Advisor

Ernesto Escobedo

Abstract

The complexity of global societies’ issues requires leaders whose competencies facilitate collective impact initiatives as strategies for coordinating multisector efforts to transform substantial social problems. In Puerto Rico, such endeavors are not producing expedient long-term impact. It is crucial to implement said collaborations relying on leaders' emotional strength and skills, enabling efficient processes to find solutions for subpar circumstances in communities. It was unknown whether senior managers in Puerto Rico understood the necessary emotional and social intelligence leadership competencies which must be developed to improve organizational processes in local cross-sector collaborations. This phenomenological study aimed to understand whether these leaders perceived a need to improve emotional and social intelligence leadership skills to refine the collectivity’s performance. Primary data source was a purposive sample of leaders from the PR Continuums of Care for the Homeless initiatives. Data collection was through 10 in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed through descriptive coding and theming strategy with an interpretative structure. Results indicated participants perceived that leaders’ behaviors associated with emotional and social intelligence were necessary to manage conflicts and administer the alliance. Collectively, this could expedite processes by improving these skills and render better services for the homeless. This study was vital for leadership in Puerto Rico, recognizing a need for capacity-building programs to improve leaders’ accomplishments within social change networks, thereby enhancing citizens' opportunities to obtain high-quality social services that could improve their living conditions and positive social change.

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