Title: A study on empathetic listening in internalisation of emotional intelligence among engineers: Srimad Bhagavad Gita in context

Authors: Nikhil Kewalkrishna Mehta

Addresses: National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), Room No. 213, Academic Block, NITIE, Vihar Lake Road, Mumbai-400087 (MS), India

Abstract: In the recent past, studies highlighting the glories of Srimad Bhagavad Gita have been presented. These studies range from understanding of the micro-level unit of analysis such as emotional intelligence, personality among individuals to the macro unit of analysis such as corporate social responsibilities. In this study, an attempt has been made to study the empathetic listening in internalisation of emotional intelligence among engineers. The basic idea for the study stems from an example that shows the connection between mentor Lord Krishna and his protégé Arjuna, where mentor demonstrated empathetic listening and protégé confirmed learning of emotional intelligence. In this regard, an attempt was made to comprehend a model that specifies a relationship between empathetic listening and emotional intelligence. The study was conducted employing paper-based questionnaire to 208 Indian engineers. Trait-based emotional intelligence test and active empathetic learning scale were used. Median splits were determined to generate high-low groups, and logistic regression was performed. While sensing was found to be insignificant in the internalisation of emotional intelligence among engineers, processing and responding were found to be significantly related. The study envisages learning from these relationships and relates them to the preaching of Srimad Bhagavad Gita.

Keywords: Srimad Bhagavad Gita; emotional intelligence; empathetic listening; empathy; emotional intelligence traits; engineers; internalisation; India.

DOI: 10.1504/IJICBM.2016.076817

International Journal of Indian Culture and Business Management, 2016 Vol.12 No.4, pp.468 - 488

Received: 05 Mar 2015
Accepted: 18 Apr 2015
Published online: 01 Jun 2016 *

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