Date:17/02/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/02/17/stories/2006021703100800.htm

Back `Emotional intelligence vital to thrive in biz'

Our Bureau

Chennai , Feb. 16

EMOTIONAL intelligence is the missing component in business education around the world, according to Mr Deepak Chopra, mind-body healing guru and best selling self-help author. Emotional intelligence is the awareness of and ability to manage emotions and create motivation.

Mr Chopra told presspersons that any business is about relationships. Illustrating with examples from his `Soul of Leadership' classes that he gives at Kellogg School of Management, Mr Chopra said companies have turned around their businesses through a combination of out-of-the-box thinking and building customer relationships.

It is equally important to build relationships within the organisation, he said. Every human being has some basic wants such as safety, survival and self-esteem. The trick is to see which of these are not being fulfilled, and attempt to fulfil them.

When asked if this is not a form of manipulation, Mr Chopra responded that unless the feeling is authentic, it would not last.

Relationship skills can be taught, but if people everywhere continue to ignore it, it would lead to businesses failing, and the collapse of international relations.

He said the same problem is reflected in all fields, including politics.