Introduction: Personality traits and emotional intelligence (EQ) are key components in the optimal functioning of leaders navigating the corporate world post-Covid-19 (Ndlovu, 2025). After the pandemic, leaders shifted from traditional management roles to more empathetic ones, showing sensitivity toward employees affected by illness or loss. Bergner (2020) linked personality traits to optimal leadership. George et al. (2022) emphasized that leaders with high EQ are more attuned to others' emotions, aiding recovery from workplace challenges post-pandemic. This aligns with Goleman's (2011) view that EQ fosters strong interpersonal relationships. However, limited research has focused on the South African (SA) context.


Purpose: To (1) identify prevalent personality traits and EQ facets among SA corporate leaders post-pandemic, and (2) determine whether a relationship exists between personality traits and EQ.


Methods: Participants included 70 corporate leaders (45 males, 25 females), aged 31-65. Each completed a biographical questionnaire, the Hogan Personality Inventory, and the EQi2.0. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 26©, employing descriptive statistics and Spearman's Correlation Coefficient.


Results: Prevalent personality traits were Ambition, Sociability, Interpersonal Sensitivity (IS), Inquisitiveness and Learning Approach (LA). Self-perception (SP), Self-expression (SE), Interpersonality, Decision-making (DM) and Stress Management (SM) were the prevalent facets of EQ. With p p ≤ 0.01, SP displayed moderate relationships with Adjustment (r = 0.04), IS (r = 0.37) and LA (r = 0.33). SE showed moderate correlations with Adjustment (r = 0.43), Ambition (r = 0.33) and IS (r = 0.38). DM showed moderate relationships with Adjustment (r = 0.52) and LA (r = 0.49). SM displayed moderate relationships with Adjustment (r = 0.46), Ambition (r = 0.36) and IS (r = 0.39).


Conclusions: The findings underscore the importance of personality traits and emotional intelligence in supporting the optimal functioning of South African corporate leaders in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.