Que:’A bureaucrat without emotional intelligence is like a robot.’ Analyze.

Emotional intelligence is the art of understanding one’s own and others’ emotions and controlling one’s emotions according to the situation and skillfully guiding the emotions of others.

• Emotional intelligence means:-

• Understanding the emotions of others
• Recognizing the emotions of people
• Controlling emotions
• Incorporating emotions in the decision-making process

→ The functions of a bureaucrat include assisting in policy formulation, implementing policies, acting as a bridge between the public and elected representatives, maintaining law and order and checking the impact of policies on the ground etc.

→ In all such functions, he has to face work pressure, political pressure, corruption, interaction with different types of people, public relations etc. For this, it is not desirable that he should just be a mechanical person and follow the rules or blindly follow the orders. He has to control his emotions according to the time and situation and take decisions and perform his duties.

• Importance of emotional intelligence for bureaucrats

⇨ In formulating policies and its proper implementation

For example, it is necessary to follow the order to remove the pressure of lorries and stalls on the side of the road (compliance with the rules), but there is also the question of the livelihood of the people. Therefore, it becomes necessary to take decisions by understanding the emotions of those lorry and stall owners.

⇨ For proper dialogue

To prevent people dissatisfied with the policies or rules of the government from being incited towards violent activities and to keep the situation calm, not only the use of force is required, but also effective dialogue. For which emotional intelligence is necessary. For example, during the protest against CAA, the police of various states explained the protesters through dialogue.

→ Balance in personal life

Emotional intelligence helps bureaucrats to maintain a balance between private life and public life.

→ Stress is controlled

. Mental stress arises due to various types of pressures in public life. Hence, emotional intelligence is necessary to be able to take balanced decisions in such a situation.

→ To motivate his colleagues and subordinates

A bureaucrat does not only have to see that the policies and rules are followed. In order to maintain enthusiasm in work, he also needs to communicate and behave skillfully with his colleagues and subordinates and keep motivating them.

→ To bring about change (as a change agent)

In a poor country like India, large-scale changes are necessary for the welfare of the people. Hence, emotional intelligence provides the bureaucrat with the enthusiasm to do something innovative and the strength to face challenges. Otherwise, there will be no innovation in administration.

             In a country like India, where the poverty rate is high and there is diversity in ographical regions and cultures, there is no need to strictly follow the rules and follow orders and perform duties. But it becomes necessary for the bureaucrat to properly control his emotions and do his job of making decisions so that the public interest is maintained.