Emotions are reflective of a society’s weakness and strengths and can be disruptive and interfering when displayed at a wrong time. However, when expressed constructively it can play a role in organisational effectiveness. The ancient sacred teachings of the Bhagvad Gita can enlighten an employee to identify, interpret and apply emotions in their personal and professional life.
Hinduism advocates that ‘a man should first seek wisdom and thereafter pursue material ambition’. In order to achieve self-realization, one must have perfect emotional self-control. The Indian scriptures state that our senses are like wild horses, the body its chariot and the mind its reins. Intellect is the driver. The Atman is the Lord of the chariot. If the senses are not kept under proper control, they will throw this chariot into a deep abyss. He/she who keeps the reins firm and drives this chariot intelligently by controlling the horses (senses) will reach the destination (Moksha or the Abode of Eternal Bliss) safely. The Gita states that renunciation should be a goal of an individual, but renunciation does not imply on shrugging off any duties to society. It further states that work that gives peace and joy is right and which brings depression and restlessness in wrong. An individual with high emotional intelligence can judge right from wrong.
Present day life makes it convenient for people to suppress and avoid emotions but it is important to connect with these emotions, but if emotions are strangers to people, they will not enjoy a rich and satisfying life. Connecting to emotions brings a state wholeness to mind and body and this state is known as emotionally competent.
In order to achieve harmony at a workplace and elsewhere, the Bhagvad Gita identifies the following areas on:
- how to succeed
- how to resolve conflicts
- jealousy- its origin and fallout
- standing for righteousness (dharma)
- believing in the path of action (karma)
- tackling emotional upsets effectively
How to succeed:
The concept of emotional intelligence and its role in success has been explained in the Gita. It states that there are two paths to success in life- knowledge and desire. Knowledge is the rational mind while desire is the emotional mind. Knowledge helps distinguish between fact and fantasy. Desire is the cause of bondage and the mind must control the desire for objects of pleasure under control. The rational mind faces the object and this is known as the objective mind (Manas in Sanskrit). Modern day psychologists term it as IQ. Desire on the other hand is an emotional response to the immediate environment and drives a person to satisfy the desire. With desire comes attachment, with which comes passion, with which comes desire again. When desire is not fulfilled, it induces anger. Anger causes loss of memory and loss of memory, which causes loss of wisdom n brings ruin. Therefore, one must not desire for world pleasures and suppress their desires. The inner mind is called the subjective mind (Buddhi in Sanskrit) and modern day termed as EQ. In fact, it hints that IQ superior than EQ, contrary to modern philosophy. However, this may be interpreted by saying that certain emotions lead us to depression, anger, jealousy and the wrong path, which should be suppressed, while contrasting emotions lead us to harmony and self-esteem and should be encouraged. Emotions therefore need to be harnessed and directed so that the mind and therefore the individual find’s peace. In such an individual, the objective (IQ) and the subjective mind (EQ) are in unison and the mind is disciplined.
Nevertheless, recent research shows that EQ plays a more dominant role in attaining ‘success’ than IQ. The Gita also defines emotions based on the concept of the 3 moods (Gunas), which are Unactivity (Sattwa- perfect purity), Activity (Rajas- dusky colour) and Inactivity (Tamas- foul darkness). The mind is in Sattwa, it is purified from all Rajas and Tamas and the individual experiences inner peace and happiness. These moods are in different proportions in individuals and reflect different personalities. For e.g. an employee with heavy Tamas (low EI) will be detrimental for the organisation and therefore should learn to be emotional sensitive in recognizing the ongoing environment, which will help discard wrong impulses and attain righteous behavior.
How to resolve conflict:
The background of the Bhagvad Gita is flooded with conflict. Arjuna has to fight his kinsmen for justice. This brings a feeling of grave depression, dejection and fear to Arjuna and he begins to tremble with anxiety. In such an emotionally charged setting, his emotions and his concepts of duty confuse him and he decides to quit. He turns to Lord Krishna who tells him that disgrace would fall upon him if he ran away from the battlefield. Krishna motivates Arjuna to get up and fight and made him realize his inner strengths and competences so that he could walk the righteous path. Arjuna then acted emotionally intelligent by fighting the war in-spite of his emotional bonding with his enemies. He was firm with conviction and displayed emotional maturity. He proved that being emotional does not indicate weakness. In the same way, employees can re-energize themselves when they are de-motivated because of conflict. The Gita epitomizes the mental conflicts and dilemmas of individuals with a purpose and their resolution that leads to affirmative action. Everyday, employees of an organisation face emotional and mental conflict in their workplace. The Gita offers a message for practical living — one of philosophical sublimation and mental transcendence.
Jealousy- Its origin and fallout:
Jealousy is an omnipresent emotion that condemns rationality and encourages feeling of aggression, dejection and inferiority. Negative emotions like jealousy also help re-energizes a de-motivated mind. The Mahabharata has an array of instances of jealousy. Dronacharya favored Arjuna over the other Pandavas and Kauravas because of his perseverance and skill at archery. This made Duryodhana jealous and ill feelings for the Pandavas grew in his heart. Duryodhana fell victim to this jealousy and laid out evil plots for the Pandavas which eventually led to the Mahabharat. The story highlights that emotions jealous brings about emotions like hate, revenge, fear, anger, apprehension, shock, depression on one hand and dedication, concentration and motivation on the other.
Jealous brings about feelings of inferiority and ego in employees and if not handled in time, may manifest into aggression, hate and revenge. “Secret hatred turns into bitterness,” says the Gita. Jealousy develops when individuals feel they are criticized unfairly. Emotional competence negates the impact of jealousy, emotional maturity does not allow negativity to develop and emotional sensitivity helps understand the threshold of the emotion and appropriate response to it. Nonetheless, jealousy can be harness to facilitate healthy competition and personal growth. Employees must practice to create positive relations with each other. This will also help become ethical. Peacefulness and selflessness build a mature and tranquil personality.
Stand for righteousness (Dharma):
Dharma is a system of morality, duty, charity, etc. Human beings are expected to follow Dharma till their last breath.
The infamous game of dice in the Mahabharata, where the Kauravas disrobed and insulted Draupadi in front of a full assembly, after she was lost to them in a game of dice, tells us a tale on Dharma. It is observed that powerful characters of the Mahabharata- Bhishma, Dhornacharya and Vidura failed to protect their Dharma in the event of adversity. They stayed silent as the Kauravas committed atrocities on Draupadi. The argument of Bhishma being bound to the throne and Dhronacharya and Vidura duties toward King Dhritarashtra is weak. The ill treatment of Draupadi, is symbolic of the insecurities of women in todays society and the silence of Bhishma, Vidura and Dhronacharya shows the inability of individuals to manage their emotions and stand up for righteousness.
In today’s world, it is not common to see straightforward employees keep silent about irregularities and misconduct in a business. They succumb to such situations and fail to stand up for a righteous cause. By following the righteous path, one will display emotional sensitivity toward social evils and emotional maturity in standing up to them. This would be an emotionally intelligent response.
Believing in the path of action (Karma):
Karma is the belief in which, a persons fate is determined according to his deeds. Karma states that ‘as you sow, so do you reap’. The Bhagvad Gita preaches Karma Yoga (duties towards nations, organizations, family, etc). Karma in modern management can be interpreted as doing the right thing at the right time.
Lord Krishna tells Arjuna, “, ‘Your only duty is to act (right to work) and not to hanker after the fruits (or the results) thereof.’ Neither the purpose of your actions nor the work should bind and blind you. To work is to worship with total non-attachment and selfless attitude”. Krishna also tells him, “Action is better than inaction. Without action, no one can survive. Respond in such a way that it does not bind but frees one from ignorance. Do all work as worship to God. Do everything to the best of your ability; suited to your ongoing environment”.
An emotional intelligent employee would interpret his emotions and follow the path of action. Excessive emotions like lust, greed and jealousy are bad karma. A manager who learns appropriate emotions is emotionally intelligent. Every action produces an emotional effect. Emotion is a motivating factor. Karma affects individuals and their external environment. An employee with good karma increases productivity at workplace and satisfaction of personal life. Being habituated to good karma an individual will strengthen the ability too cope with a situation. To be emotionally competent one must follow the path that is emotionally, spiritually and practically beneficial to humanity.
Tackling emotional upsets effectively:
Emotional upheaval affects productivity, effectiveness and self-image in both personal and professional life. When in exile, Draupadi is upset about the misconduct inflicted on her by the Kauravas and opens her heart to Lord Krishna. In response, she is told to be patient, optimistic and focused towards her aim, in order to enjoy the fruits in the future. It is important for employees to delay instant gratification of reacting to situations and respond when the environment is favorable. The Gita also sermonizes on dealing with stress. Stress is the cause of built up emotions and the apparent inability to meet challenges. The Bhagvad Gita says that stress is born when goals are made without keeping in mind capability and capacity, thinking that one is solely responsible for achieving the goal and by perceiving that without the result life would not be worth living. It says that great intelligence is needed to achieve a goal.
Knowing ones inner-self will help eliminate selfish and egocentric existence and respond appropriate to situations. Pent up emotions must be expressed in a healthy environment. It is very important to express emotions. Good and bad experiences are important in order to understand life. With contrasting emotions like joy and sorrow, revenge and forgiveness, friendship and enmity one needs to strike a balance in expressing them. By learning to do so, the Gita indirectly directs individuals to be emotional intelligent.
Emotions can be so overwhelming that it may take over human cognition and in-cognition. This is detrimental. The Bhagvad Gita thus guides employees to manage these emotions. If only we would confess Our Sins, Our Fears, Our Disagreements, Our Delusions, Our Weaknesses, etc., we could be ‘cleansed from all unrighteousness’. Such a situation maybe described as being emotionally intelligent in modern times.