Relevance: The topic is a part of UPSC CSE General Studies Paper-IV Ethics syllabus. Concepts are particularly relevant in the theory section. Aspirants will also find the article useful for their Essay paper and situation-based questions in personality tests. Moreover, the article’s essence will help aspirants professionally and in life. Nanditesh Nilay writes for UPSC Ethics Simplified fortnightly. The first article will be a concept while the second article will be a caselet, based on the concept. After self-awareness and self-management, it is time to discuss motivation, empathy and social skills - the other three components of Emotional Intelligence (EI). Can you easily identify what you want to achieve? Can you find a purpose for that? Can you make a plan to reach that milestone? If yes, you are walking on the path of motivation. What is motivation and why is it important for EI? Motivation is our internal state and it guides us to our goal. When we are an emotionally intelligent person, then, our motivation is quantitative and qualitative, we work hard to serve society at large. Our goal is not just singular but plural as well. Motivation helps us to have a continuous focus, and we consistently work hard and give our best efforts. We keep reflecting on the contribution of our mother-father, sister-brother, grandparents, spouse, children, friends and so on. Motivation without EI is a self-centered achievement model that will only create bureaucrats of a high ego state. But motivation with EI will bring that understanding which prepares the person to enter in a state of empathy. What is Empathy and why is it essential for EI? Empathy means the capacity to understand as well as feel another person’s perspective. The character or orientation of civil service is based on empathy. One can find the best example of Empathy after reading Mahatma Gandhi. He writes, “I will give you a Talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test: Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen and ask yourself if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him.” So if someone is high on self-awareness and carries self-regulation tools then one is bound to be motivated. The goal will be purposeful and self-management and awareness will bring that ceaseless aspect that is a must to qualify and survive. To make oneself happy and content, the aspect of empathy will play a huge role. Acceptance of a civil servant is very much centered around the construct of empathy. EI and Social Skills We have already witnessed the spirit of self-awareness, self-management, motivation, and empathy at the time of the pandemic. The whole image of bureaucracy, police or health care changed. EI was at its high and that was the reason why there was a profound connection established in the society. We covered ourselves with masks, still, there was a keen attention to what others were saying or the urge to listen. Those social skills were so easily learned and the cycle of EI was followed. So in this concluding piece on EI we understood that after self-awareness and self-management (there is still a caselet to follow), one finds oneself in a better frame of mind to search and focus on the dream path of life. For example, answering the “Why” of life will trigger the cause (Why should I follow discipline? Why am I studying away from my parents? Why do I wish to become an IAS officer? Why should I eat right? Why should I meditate and read regularly? Why should I refrain from procrastinating the things in life?) To work on answers, one needs a proper routine in life which can guard one’s physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. It will further motivate the person for the larger cause. Empathy will always play a big role in creating that deeper sense of understanding as well as remaining better connected with the environment. And finally, social skills will emerge automatically which later facilitate reading, receiving, responding and rationalising interpersonal communication as well as interpersonal relationships. So in the world of AI, don’t forget the importance of EI. Alexa can sing or ChatGpt can answer, but the human capabilities of emotion and consciousness need EI and that urgently. Post Read Questions How did the world witness application of Emotional Intelligence (EI) in the times of COVID 19? Discuss with the reference to components of EI. (The writer is the author of ‘Being Good and Aaiye, Insaan Banaen’ and ‘Ethikos: Stories Searching Happiness’. He teaches courses on and offers training in ethics, values and behaviour. He has been the expert/consultant to UPSC, SAARC countries, Civil services Academy, National Centre for Good Governance, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Competition Commission of India (CCI), etc. He has PhD in two disciplines and has been a Doctoral Fellow in Gandhian Studies from ICSSR. His second PhD is from IIT Delhi on Ethical Decision Making among Indian Bureaucrats. He writes for the UPSC Ethics Simplified (Concepts and Caselets) fortnightly.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiNw5AVJubM?si=3t-PsfD0tpS9w_br&w=560&h=315
