Strong leaders require emotional intelligence (EI). Research on EI of educational leaders is minimal. Due to the lack of research and literature in education on the emotional intelligence of school leaders, one may only assume that principals have the same leadership characteristics that are noted in current leadership books and publications. However, in the field of education, one major difference is evident. Educators and educational leaders have the responsibility of helping mold the families' most prized and vulnerable possession - "their children." The purpose of this sequential qualitative study was to examine how emotionally intelligent principals impact school climate by coaching teachers in a safe and trusting environment. The findings of this research will inform educational leaders and decision makers in their hiring practices and policies. By adding to the literature, this research supports professional development of current principals and the retention of newly appointed principals. The research should further be considered for building a prerequisite class for educators and educational leaders at the university level. The researcher utilized a qualitative phenomenology research design and instrumentation of semi-structured individual interview and focus group. Four primary school principals who met both comprehensive and intensity data were individually interviewed by the researcher. Interview questions were derived from the four major research questions. After all interviews were completed, the researcher adjusted the focus group protocol based on trends and a partial analysis of the interview data and then moderated the same four principals in a focus group. The results of the study revealed that emotionally intelligent primary school principals use a variety of key words, actions, and coaching tools, especially empathy, to remain levelheaded and composed in front of those they lead. These principals' leadership actions are strongly grounded in their personal and professional beliefs. Prior to the interview experience, these leaders were unaware of their emotional intelligence and the influential role it played in their everyday life as a principal. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]