What is Emotional Intelligence?

Emotional Intelligence (EI or EQ) is the ability to perceive, monitor, manage, and leverage emotions—both of oneself and of others—to guide thoughts, make balanced decisions, and navigate social relationships. In administration, EQ is the bridge between technical knowledge (IQ) and public welfare.

---

What is Emotional Intelligence?

Cue Words	Notes
Definition of Emotional Intelligence	- Ability to perceive, monitor, manage, and leverage emotions (oneself & others) to guide thoughts, decisions, and relationships
Mayer-Salovey 4-Branch Model	- Ability-based model: Perceiving emotions, Facilitating thought, Understanding emotions, Managing emotions
Daniel Goleman Model	- Mixed/trait-based model: Self-awareness, Self-regulation, Motivation, Empathy, Social skills
Utility in VUCA Governance	- Prevents Amygdala Hijack during riots; enables negotiation in land acquisition; fosters empathy for petitioners; prevents team burnout
High-Yield Ethics Data & Exemplars	- LBSNAA Probationer Training EI modules & MCTP Mid-Career resilience courses - Public Grievance Escalation Control in police stations (30% conflict reduction) - Hota Committee Police Reforms on empathy training
Mains Keywords & Quotes	**Keywords:** Mayer-Salovey Tetrad, Goleman Mixed Model, VUCA Environment, Rationality-Empathy Balance **Aristotle Quote:** *"Anyone can become angry... but to be angry with the right person, degree, time, purpose, and way is not easy."* **Plato Quote:** *"All learning has an emotional base."* **Goleman Quote:** *"If your emotional abilities aren't in hand... no matter how smart you are, you are not going to get very far."*
Historical Origin of the Term	- Psychologist Michael Beldoch first used the phrase "emotional intelligence" in a 1964 paper; the concept was formalised academically by Peter Salovey and John Mayer (1990) and popularised for general readers by Daniel Goleman (1995)
Conclusion	- EI is the **"Sanity of the Civil Servant"** — moving from unregulated emotional reactivity to regulation-saturated, empathy-verified leadership