Leadership and emotional intelligence in the context of coaches work motivation and burnout dynamics

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of leadership styles and emotional intelligence on coaches' work motivation and burnout perceptions using a quantitative methodology. A total of 689 coaches working in various sports disciplines across Turkey were selected through convenience sampling and included in the study. During the research process, participants were requested to fill out measurement tools such as the Leadership Styles Scale, Emotional Intelligence Scale, Work Motivation Scale, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. The collected data were processed using the SPSS statistical analysis program, and various statistical tests, including frequency analyses, cross-tabulations, and correlation analyses were applied. T-tests and ANOVA tests were conducted after checking for normal distribution.The research findings indicate that leadership styles and levels of emotional intelligence positively influence coaches' work motivation and decrease their levels of burnout. In particular, coaches with high levels of emotional intelligence were found to be more effective in stress management and led their teams more successfully. These results underscore the importance of leadership and emotional intelligence skills in the coaching profession and point to the need for developing educational programs in these areas. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that training in leadership and emotional intelligence significantly contributes to coaches' professional development and has positive effects on athletes. The study makes valuable contributions to the literature on leadership and emotional intelligence by extensively exploring the roles and impacts of these concepts in the professional lives of coaches.