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Emotional Intelligence - The Indian

Context
How often have you come across someone who is an outstanding worker, but struggles to connect
with colleagues? Still, it amazes us to think this guy is so successful in his career. In such cases, the
answer is to be sought in something called Emotional Intelligence (EI), a different way of being
smart.
Though the term EI was coined in 1990 by Salovey and Mayer, scriptures and Indian classical
literature have often cited this with a different terminology. The Bhagavad-Gita (part of the Indian
epic, the Mahabharata) has stressed the importance of equanimity of mind, the emotional stability
in times of turmoil through thick and thin. An emotionally stable person is stitaprajna, one whose
prajna (consciousness) stays unmoved and steady.
What is EI?
EI constitutes the knack of recognising, grasping, and managing our emotions vis--vis others in
various interpersonal sites involving work, study, and colleagueship. It embraces inter-personal
and intra-personal attitudes, responses, and adaptations. However, it is unclear whether EI has to
be learnt/acquired or whether it is a natural gift, a talent. Food for thought perhaps? Some studies
have shown that EI can be developed by being receptive and open-minded, by nurturing a clear
conscience, by improving ones communication. In brief, by being graciously and gracefully
engaged in work is a good way to get what we want from others and gain common ground.
Having said that, not all emotionally intelligent people are successful in their lives. A good example
is a highly influential leader of the 20th century, Adolf Hitler. Hitlers tremendous control over his
body language and oratory skills made him a spellbinding public speaker and an adept
manipulator of emotions.
The Indian Context
Education in ancient India encouraged students to imagine a world with no boundaries by
imparting incisive and comprehensive view of life. However today, the measure of ones success is
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linked to his/her intelligence in academia or ones IQ. But, it is pretty evident that there is more to
ones success than a high IQ score. If the former was untrue, then all the academically brilliant
students from the best schools would be successful in their lives. Rightly written by Plato, 2000
years before EI was coined, All learning has an emotional base.
Educational institutions in India focus on imparting technical skills, helping students to excel
academically. However, the need to teach softer skills such as control on strong emotions, are
given a miss. Most students in India are intolerant towards failure and rejection. Maybe, this stems
from the fact that we have a society that obsesses on high marks, grades and ranks for success.
Coupled with tremendous peer pressure and distractions of social networking sites, India is
building an impatient student community who do not know how to manage and channel their
emotions in a constructive manner.
Here, teaching students some emotional skills and their importance would help them skilfully
navigate interpersonal relationships. Additionally, this would help students increase their selfconfidence and become socially competent at work places too. The ancient Hindu philosophy of
Yoga (meditation) is a great practice to develop EI. Yoga helps one achieve self-realisation, the
most important aspect of EI. Self-awareness leads to self-control and genuine empathy for others.
Teachers with EI play a vital role in shaping students by empathising, interacting and collaborating
with them. Further, schools should go the extra mile to have counsellors and soft skill trainers on
their roster to build emotionally responsible students.
Finally, in countries such as India, where one is working in a culturally diverse environment (multiethnic and multi-linguistic), it is extremely important to be culturally intelligent too. Though one
need not be an expert in every culture, observing, empathising and judging the situation correctly
can go a long way.
Importance of Emotional Intelligence to MBAs
So why is EI important to MBAs? Especially since the financial crisis, most businesses these days
require emotionally intelligent leaders in managerial positions. A strong moral compass and ability
to work in teams seems to have taken precedent. MBA programmes around the world have begun
to integrate education and practical experience of EI. In the ever evolving and growing market
place, the need for Emotionally Intelligent MBAs' is inevitable.
However, most MBA schools in India do not assess applicants based on personality scores, essays
and recommendations which measure emotional traits such as empathy, motivation and resilience
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among others. It is time that business school education in my country is revamped to include
courses on conflict management, the art of self-reflection and relationship management. For now,
we are stuck learning the ropes of this highly complex term through the school of life!

Hemant Chandran, Global AMBAssador

Strathclyde Business School

A Senior Analyst with Deutsche Bank's Global Operations in Mumbai,

India, Hemant Chandran is an alumnus and the global AMBAssador for
Strathclyde Business School, Glasgow. He brings with him a varied
experience of 6 years, mostly in a BIG 4 specializing in U.S. Real Estate
valuation and securitization.
Hemant enjoys writing and has contributed regularly to The Independent,
to his business schools admission blog, and AMBITION (AMBA's quarterly
magazine). He loves travelling and cooking, watching movies, besides
meeting people, especially professionals in business and start-up ventures.

Christian Douglas-Bailey A very insightful read, Hemant. I've always found this topic immensely
interesting, thanks for sharing.

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