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Facing challenges related to both its definition and measurement, the study of emotional intelligence is marked by controversy and criticism. Management literature has paid very little attention to how individuals apprehend emotional intelligence and assess its various components in the professional context. This paper illustrates why the Q technique provides an excellent example of a quantitative, inductive, and interpretative approach, capable of addressing research questions such as: “What is emotional intelligence?” and “Is it perceived differently based on professional status?”