Emotional Intelligence and Managerial Decision Making: The Bhagwat Gita Way

The Gita has long been a source of inspiration in many walks of human life. Great minds like those of Einstein, Gandhi, et al have all found great solace in the teachings of the Gita in trying times. Unfortunately, at an organizational level in the world of business to-day, application of the lessons from the Gita has been rather on the minimal side. However, with the emergence of a value-system associated with Emotional Intelligence (El), the teachings of the Gita would seem to be of great relevance to an organization. Needless to say that in today's competitive world, leadership is increasingly under tremendous pressure to see that organizations grow to meet the ever-increasing demand of enhancing the stakeholders' wealth. These demands lead to enormous strain at the decision making level of management. This is where the Gita can be of great relevance, when looked at from the viewpoint and logic of El. Indeed, at a time when Arjuna was down with melancholy at the advent of the great war as enshrined in the Mahabharatha, it was Krishna's leadership that saved the Pandavas. The Gita was born. Arjuna brought himself out of morbidity and his emotional stability prevailed. The war was won. Krishna was a preacher and a great leader. Jesus Christ preached and led. Mahatma Gandhi did the same. Great leaders are great preachers too, in one form or the other. But where to look for what is to be preached ? Through the ages, the Gita has been a great source of materials for true leaders to learn, to practise and and then lead.

The authors, through the present paper, have tried to look at the philosophical underpinnings of El and get them evaluated in the context of the Gita, as to their applicability in the modern day life.