Comparisons

No direction vs. No enthusiasm

Lack of leadership vs. Lack of supervision

Unclear goals vs. No motivation

Lack of clarity vs. Lack of energy

Example

Albert approach task in a perfunctory manner, answering phone on 4th or 5th ring at all, giving information reluctantly, and switching people to wrong extension quite often.

The marketing department was desultory since firing of their favorite manager. They weren't able to get picture and didn't have adequate direction so, while they did their tasks well, they weren't making quotas and sales were falling far behind.

Key Point

A person can do a perfunctory job at a particular task and still be invested in goal and project. If they are desultory, they aren't getting whole picture at all, and likely to be perfunctory about everything, aimless and unmotivated. Any one can have an off day, but if desultory, every day is an off day.

Benefits

It's important not to mistake temporary lack of enthusiasm for an atmosphere where no one knows what they're doing.

Emotions motivate us and it’s important to understand emotions of others, and how to manage them. In order to do this, first you must understand your own emotions and be able to manage them. This is what Emotional Intelligence is all about.