Lourenço, Abílio AfonsoPaiva, Maria OlímpiaValente, Sabina2025-01-142025-01-142024-11http://hdl.handle.net/10400.26/53794In building organizational capacity and strategic management in higher education, emotional intelligence is crucial, particularly in promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion. Emotional intelligence skills shape values and behaviours, making them essential for creating a positive and inclusive organizational climate. Integrating emotional intelligence into development programs in higher education helps foster key skills such as effective communication and conflict resolution. This approach not only strengthens the organizational capacity of higher education institutions but also creates an environment that promotes inclusion and equity. The aim was to create a space for reflection for higher education leaders and managers, highlighting emotional intelligence as the foundation for strengthening organizational culture and enhancing strategic management. Several proposals for implementing emotional intelligence are presented, aiming not only to strengthen the institution as a whole but also to promote a healthy and productive work environment for all involved.engbook part10.4018/979-8-3693-6967-8.ch007