This study increases understanding of how employees experience the influence of emotional intelligence (EI) on engagement, performance and the leadership efficiency within a military context, with a specific focus on the Swedish Navy. Military leadership has traditionally been characterized by hierarchy, discipline, and structural rituals that foster cohesion but can also hinder change and relationship-oriented leadership. Although the Swedish Armed Forces emphasizes self-awareness, supportive leadership, and individual development, tensions remain between traditional and modern leadership styles. Drawing on theories of EI, particularly Goleman’s five-component model and previous research on military organizational culture, this study analyzes how employees perceive their leaders’ emotional competence and its impact on engagement, performance, and the work environment. The methodology uses qualitative research with semi-structured interviews, selected for its ability to delve into social interactions and reveal nuanced perspectives. Semi-structured interviews provide flexibility while maintaining some structure, allowing for in-depth exploration of interviewees' thoughts and experiences. The selection process ensures a diverse representation of current employees who have been in the organization for at least five years, in order to capture a range of experiences and perspectives. A thematic analysis is conducted to identify patterns and themes related to leadership efficiency, emotional abilities, engagement and performance. The findings suggest that EI, especially in the form of empathy, self-regulation, and social skills are critical in creating a safe and motivating climate within an otherwise authoritarian structure. The study also identifies a knowledge gap regarding which specific EI skills are most crucial in this context and suggests that greater awareness of EI may contribute to increased operational effectiveness and more sustainable leadership within the Navy.