This study explores how emotional intelligence influences employee motivation in the workplace, based on a field investigation carried out in a private company in Casablanca. Drawing on Goleman’s emotional intelligence model and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, the research emphasizes the role of emotional awareness and regulation in shaping motivation and professional behavior. It assumes that employees who are better able to understand and manage their own emotions, as well as those of others, tend to be more motivated, more satisfied with their work, and more effective in their professional relationships. Using a quantitative research design, the study examines the links between emotional intelligence and key motivational needs, focusing specifically on achievement and esteem. The findings demonstrate a positive relationship between emotional intelligence and these motivational dimensions, suggesting that emotionally intelligent employees are better equipped to cope with workplace pressures, foster constructive interactions, and attain higher levels of achievement and recognition. Overall, the results underline emotional intelligence as a crucial psychological factor in enhancing workplace motivation and point to the importance of incorporating emotional intelligence training into human resource development strategies. The study further encourages future research to involve larger samples and additional theoretical perspectives to deepen understanding of emotional intelligence within Moroccan organizational settings