As companies endeavor to do more with less, seeming soft skills, based on emotions, are associated with leadership effectiveness and organizational success. The study assesses whether managers in one financial organization who are deemed most effective according to their performance ratings exhibit higher emotional intelligence (EI) than managers with lower performance ratings. It also compares EI levels and demographic characteristics of the sample. Data were gathered from a sample of 57 from the study population 79 members of the management team of a financial organization selected to participate in an internal EI study. The researcher analyzed the ECI scores provided by the Hay Group, performance ratings, and demographic data via a statistical analysis computing system, SAS 8. She employed the general linear model (GLM) version of analysis of variance (ANOVA), T-test, and union-intersection test methods. Findings indicated that high ratings and high emotional intelligence were not significantly related at a 95 percent confidence level. They were significantly related on three competencies at a 90 percent confidence level. The EI average scores of the sample differed significantly from the average scores of other groups in the ECI North American Database on three. Statistically significant differences between Sales and Support functions were evident in three competencies. For each, Support EI levels were greater than Sales EI levels. Position, title, gender, and management tenure did not significantly impact the EI of the sample. While educational level did not significantly impact the emotional intelligence of the sample, statistically significant differences existed between those with a BS degree and those with a BA degree on four competencies. EI levels of those with BS degrees were greater than EI levels of those with BA degrees in three of the four competencies. Results of the self versus total others ratings indicated that statistically significant differences exist in four competencies: Emotional Self-control, Influence, Inspirational Leadership, and Self-confidence. For each, EI levels of total others were greater than self-reported EI levels.