Ravi, a seasoned civil servant, was recently appointed as the head of a key department responsible for addressing public grievances and implementing welfare schemes.

Q7. Ravi, a seasoned civil servant, was recently appointed as the head of a key department responsible for addressing public grievances and implementing welfare schemes. Recognized for his high emotional intelligence (EI), Ravi had initially earned the admiration and trust of his team through his ability to inspire, communicate effectively, and manage difficult situations with empathy. However, over time, certain troubling patterns have emerged in his leadership style. Ravi’s deep understanding of his colleagues’ emotions, once used to foster collaboration and trust, has gradually evolved into manipulative behavior. He selectively uses his knowledge of his team’s emotional triggers to influence and control situations for his personal benefit. By withholding vital information, Ravi ensures that key decisions remain solely within his control, projecting an image of indispensability. Additionally, he often uses flattery or plays on team members’ insecurities to secure compliance or extract favors. In a recent incident, Ravi deflected responsibility for a departmental failure onto a junior officer, despite the fact that the issue stemmed from his own flawed decision-making. When confronted, Ravi skillfully used his emotional intelligence to portray himself as a victim of misunderstanding, displaying false vulnerability and deflecting blame. This left the junior officer feeling isolated and disheartened, while the rest of the team, fearing retaliation or exclusion, refrained from speaking out about the toxic work environment. The situation raises ethical concerns about the misuse of emotional intelligence in leadership. (20 M)

• What are the ethical issues involved in Ravi’s use of emotional intelligence to manipulate his team? What are the long-term consequences of such actions? How can organizations ensure that emotional intelligence is used positively and not for manipulation? What mechanisms or policies can be put in place to prevent the misuse of emotional intelligence?

• What are the ethical issues involved in Ravi’s use of emotional intelligence to manipulate his team?

• What are the long-term consequences of such actions?

• How can organizations ensure that emotional intelligence is used positively and not for manipulation? What mechanisms or policies can be put in place to prevent the misuse of emotional intelligence?

Difficulty Level: Medium

Why the question Drawn from an ethics case study highlighting the misuse of emotional intelligence in public leadership, raising concerns over integrity, accountability, and organizational culture. Key demand of the question The question requires identifying the ethical issues in misusing EI for manipulation, analysing the long-term personal, organizational, and societal consequences, and suggesting organizational mechanisms and policies to ensure EI is applied ethically. Structure of the Answer: Introduction Define emotional intelligence briefly and link it to ethical leadership responsibilities in public service. Body Ethical issues in misuse of EI – Cover manipulation for personal gain, lack of accountability, exploitation of vulnerabilities, and breach of integrity. Long-term consequences – Address personal reputation damage, organizational inefficiency, erosion of ethical culture, and public trust deficit. Ensuring positive use of EI & preventive mechanisms – Include ethical leadership training, codes of conduct, whistleblower protection, feedback systems, and ethical audits. Conclusion Highlight the importance of aligning EI with moral values to strengthen trust, transparency, and service delivery in public institutions.

Why the question Drawn from an ethics case study highlighting the misuse of emotional intelligence in public leadership, raising concerns over integrity, accountability, and organizational culture.

Key demand of the question The question requires identifying the ethical issues in misusing EI for manipulation, analysing the long-term personal, organizational, and societal consequences, and suggesting organizational mechanisms and policies to ensure EI is applied ethically.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction Define emotional intelligence briefly and link it to ethical leadership responsibilities in public service.

• Ethical issues in misuse of EI – Cover manipulation for personal gain, lack of accountability, exploitation of vulnerabilities, and breach of integrity.

• Long-term consequences – Address personal reputation damage, organizational inefficiency, erosion of ethical culture, and public trust deficit.

• Ensuring positive use of EI & preventive mechanisms – Include ethical leadership training, codes of conduct, whistleblower protection, feedback systems, and ethical audits.

Conclusion Highlight the importance of aligning EI with moral values to strengthen trust, transparency, and service delivery in public institutions.