Thesis (MA (Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / The aim of this thesis is an exploratory study into the role of emotional intelligence and executive derailment, and on whether the factors of derailment are predictable and surmountable. The study focuses on the role of emotional intelligence and whether the four constructs of emotional intelligence are predictors of derailment. This study also aims to establish whether it is possible to identify potential derailment candidates. The study will also try to establish whether the use of the Occupational Personality Questionnaire 32 Ipsative (OPQ32i), will enable organizations to identify possible derailment easier. This study is an attempt to describe the different components of emotional intelligence. The results of this study indicate that the OPQ32i-measurement instrument is an aid to organisations to proactively measure whether or not their executives are possible candidates for derailment. The results further reveal that the OPQ32i measures those competencies, if any, that may need some attention as to prevent the probability that a candidate may become derailed.