Role of Emotional Intelligence in Good Governance and Administration

1. Enhancing Leadership

• Definition: Emotional intelligence (EI) involves self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills.
• Role: EI enhances leadership by enabling effective communication, conflict resolution, and decision-making. For example, Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal, demonstrated EI by effectively managing diverse stakeholder interests during the COVID-19 pandemic, balancing public health measures with economic concerns.

2. Improving Public Interaction

• Definition: EI helps in understanding and addressing public grievances with sensitivity.
• Role: It fosters better public relations and service delivery. For instance, the Aadhaar system rollout faced numerous challenges. The UIDAI officials employed emotional intelligence to address public concerns and streamline the process, ensuring widespread acceptance and trust.

3. Promoting Teamwork

• Definition: EI contributes to building a cohesive and motivated team.
• Role: It improves collaboration and morale. For example, during the National Swachh Bharat Mission, effective team management and emotional intelligence helped various stakeholders work together to achieve cleanliness goals.

In summary, emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in enhancing leadership, public interaction, and teamwork, thereby contributing to effective governance and administration.