They say an individual’s level of emotional intelligence determines the level of success he or she will enjoy in both personal and professional life. However, it is also a factor in how successful a nation can be. Emotionally intelligent people and nations respond to situations — they don’t ‘react’. The two terms, respond and react, are often confused. They are not one and the same. While a reaction is hasty, unthoughtful, and aggressive; a response is always thought out, calm, and non-threatening. A reaction leads to more reactions,whereas a response encourages debate and discussion that makes way for the resolution of problems. So, whether a nation is emotionally intelligent or not, is revealed by whether it responds or reacts to prevailing situations. The two terms, respond and react, are often confused. They are not one and the same. While a reaction is hasty, unthoughtful, and aggressive; a response is always thought out, calm, and non-threatening. A reaction leads to more reactions, whereas a response encourages debate and discussion that makes way for the resolution of problems We Pakistanis know that we are an emotional people. But are we emotionally intelligent?Do we react with respect to circumstances, or do our emotions trigger our reactions? The answer is evidently clear, and subject to an honest and fair evaluation of self. On the whole, it seems that instead of taking a pause and investigating the details first, were act blindly. This makes us vulnerable to internal, as well as external influence; keeping in view the interest world powers have in our geo-strategic location, and their attempts, thereby, to alter our political environment through developments that trigger our emotional reactions to their advantage. Not intentionally of course, but our flow with emotions rather than intellect, at the end of the day, transforms us into a helping hand to the ill-agenda of the local as well as foreign invisible hands shaping the circumstances that prevail. We might be willingly taking a step towards our national interest, however, we actually end up going against it, as what’s written on the wall, and what appears to be right, is not always in the best interest of a nation. Taking out rallies, resorting to supposedly never ending dharnas, damaging our own national assets, violating the law, colliding head-on with our own law enforcement agencies are all examples of when Pakistan as a country, has reacted emotionally. Recently we were all triggered by former Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif’s statement about the Mumbai attacks. The statement, not only caught the attention of political opportunists, and the media, but also drew fury among from the general public. Soon there were demands that Nawaz be tried under Article 6 of the Constitution. The number of killings in the name of blasphemy have increased to a worrying extent. Upon investigation, it is often found that personal differences are a factor It is not just in the political sphere that we see such reactionary behaviour. The number of killings in the name of blasphemy have increased to a worrying extent. Upon investigation, it is often found that personal differences were a factor in the accusation. Emotional reactions will only lead us to regret. It is imperative for us, as a nation, to hold our horses when we come across a piece of information, irrespective of the source, and investigate before acting. Only then can we appropriately respond to situations. The writer is an HR professional. He can be contacted at hussaantariq@gmail.com Published in Daily Times, May 20th 2018.