Workplace spirituality
Encyclopedia
Workplace Spirituality or Spirituality in the Workplace is a movement that began in the early 1920s. It emerged as a grassroots movement with individuals seeking to live their faith and/or spiritual values in the workplace. One of the first publications to mention spirituality in the workplace was Business Week, June 5, 2005. The cover article was titled "Companies hit the road less traveled: Can spirituality enlighten the bottom line?" However, prior to that, William Miller wrote an article titled "How Do We Put Our Spiritual Values to Work," published in "New Traditions in Business: Spirit and Leadership in the 21st Century" edited by John Renesch, 1992, San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler. Gilbert Fairholm wrote "Capturing the Heart of Leadership: Spiritual Community in the New American Workplace" in 1997 and Jay Conger wrote "Spirit at Work: Discovering the Spirituality in Leadership" in 1994, both considered germinal works in the field. Spiritual or spirit-centered leadership is a topic of inquiry frequently associated with the workplace spirituality movement (Benefiel, 2005; Biberman, 2000; Fry, 2005; Giacalone & Jurkiewicz, 2003; Jue, 2006).
The movement began primarily as U.S. centric but has become much more international in recent years. Key organizations include:
Pragya M. Kumar and his co-authors have analyzed of the influence of Indian philosophy on the teaching of management. Writing in 2010, they state that about 10% of the professors at top US business schools are of Indian descent, noting the vision of C. K. Prahalad
, in which corporations "simultaneosuly create value and social justice." The authors cite an article characterizing the "spirituality in the workplace movement" as having become a "mini-industry." With regards to the Indian component of this industry, they state "A large number of Vedant scholars are on a whistle stop tour
of the U.S. counseling executives on the central message of Bhagawat Gita
to put purpose before self."
Key factors that have led to this trend include:
In the late 1990s, the Academy of Management http://www.aomonline.org/ formed a special interest group called the Management, Spirituality and Religion Interest Group. This is a professional association of management professors from all over the world who are teaching and doing research on spirituality
and religion
in the workplace. This action by the Academy of Management was a significant step in legitimizing workplace spirituality and spirituality in the workplace as a new field of study.
"The Selection Committee offers the following broad interpretation of spirituality and spirituality in the workplace as a starting point for consideration, with the recognition that each individual may have his/her own personal definitions:
The phrase “explicitly nurture spirituality” means that the topic of spirituality is openly discussed - not just assumed or implied. In the past some groups have called their initiatives Team Building or Leadership…yet what they really wanted was to create a more spiritual work environment. The drive to make a difference in the world for them was a spiritual hunger. Now they are willing to discuss this openly." (From the 2008 International Spirit at Work Award Application, p. 2).
The movement began primarily as U.S. centric but has become much more international in recent years. Key organizations include:
- International Center for Spirit at Work (ICSW)
- European Baha'i Business Forum (EBBF)http://www.ebbf.org
- World Business Academy (WBA)http://www.worldbusiness.org
- Spiritual Business Network (SBN)http://www.spiritualbusiness.net
- Foundation for Workplace Spirituality (www.workplacespirituality.org.uk)
Pragya M. Kumar and his co-authors have analyzed of the influence of Indian philosophy on the teaching of management. Writing in 2010, they state that about 10% of the professors at top US business schools are of Indian descent, noting the vision of C. K. Prahalad
C. K. Prahalad
Coimbatore Krishnarao Prahalad was the Paul and Ruth McCracken Distinguished University Professor of Corporate Strategy at the Stephen M...
, in which corporations "simultaneosuly create value and social justice." The authors cite an article characterizing the "spirituality in the workplace movement" as having become a "mini-industry." With regards to the Indian component of this industry, they state "A large number of Vedant scholars are on a whistle stop tour
Whistle stop train tour
A whistle stop or whistle-stop tour is a style of political campaigning where the politician makes a series of brief appearances or speeches at a number of small towns over a short period of time...
of the U.S. counseling executives on the central message of Bhagawat Gita
Bhagavad Gita
The ' , also more simply known as Gita, is a 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the ancient Sanskrit epic, the Mahabharata, but is frequently treated as a freestanding text, and in particular, as an Upanishad in its own right, one of the several books that constitute general Vedic tradition...
to put purpose before self."
Key factors that have led to this trend include:
- Mergers and acquisitionsMergers and acquisitionsMergers and acquisitions refers to the aspect of corporate strategy, corporate finance and management dealing with the buying, selling, dividing and combining of different companies and similar entities that can help an enterprise grow rapidly in its sector or location of origin, or a new field or...
destroyed the psychological contractPsychological contractA psychological contract represents the mutual beliefs, perceptions, and informal obligations between an employer and an employee. It sets the dynamics for the relationship and defines the detailed practicality of the work to be done...
that workers had a job for life. This led some people to search for more of a sense of inner security rather than looking for external security from a corporation. - Baby Boomers hitting middle age resulting in a large demographic part of the population asking meaningful questions about life and purpose.
- The millenniumMillenniumA millennium is a period of time equal to one thousand years —from the Latin phrase , thousand, and , year—often but not necessarily related numerically to a particular dating system....
created an opportunity for people all over the world to reflect on where the human race has come from, where it is headed in the future, and what role business plays in the future of the human race.
In the late 1990s, the Academy of Management http://www.aomonline.org/ formed a special interest group called the Management, Spirituality and Religion Interest Group. This is a professional association of management professors from all over the world who are teaching and doing research on spirituality
Spirituality
Spirituality can refer to an ultimate or an alleged immaterial reality; an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being; or the “deepest values and meanings by which people live.” Spiritual practices, including meditation, prayer and contemplation, are intended to develop...
and religion
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
in the workplace. This action by the Academy of Management was a significant step in legitimizing workplace spirituality and spirituality in the workplace as a new field of study.
Definition
The International Center for Spirit at Work (ICSW)http://www.spiritatwork.org uses the following definition in the application form for the International Spirit at Work Awards:"The Selection Committee offers the following broad interpretation of spirituality and spirituality in the workplace as a starting point for consideration, with the recognition that each individual may have his/her own personal definitions:
- The innate human attribute in spirituality. All people bring this as an integral part of themselves to the workplace. Spirituality is a state or experience that can provide individuals with direction or meaning, or provide feelings of understanding, support, inner wholeness or connectedness. Connectedness can be to themselves, other people, nature, the universe, a god, or some other supernatural power.
- The “vertical” component in spirituality – a desire to transcend the individual ego or personality self. The name you put on the vertical component might be God, Spirit, Universe, Higher Power or something else. There are a great many names for this vertical dimension. This dimension is experienced as a conscious sense of profound connection to the Universe/God/Spirit. This might be experienced internally as moments of awe or peak experiences. A strong, sustained vertical component reflects in outer behaviors as a person (or group) who is centered and able to tap into deep inner strength and wisdom. Generally quiet time, time in nature, or other reflective activities or practices are required to access the “vertical” component of our spirituality. Examples of the vertical component of spirituality might be meditation rooms, time for shared reflection, silence before meetings, ecumenical prayer, and support for employees to take time off for spiritual development.
- The “horizontal” component in spirituality – a desire to be of service to other humans and the planet. In the horizontal we seek to make a difference through our actions. This dimension is manifested externally. A person with a strong “vertical connection” who is also able to demonstrate the “horizontal dimension” has a clear grasp on his/her mission, ethics, values. A strong “horizontal” component is demonstrated by a service orientation, compassion, and well-aligned vision/mission and values that are carried out in productive effective services and products.
- Spirituality in the workplace means that employees find nourishment for both the vertical and horizontal dimensions of their spirituality at work. Spirituality in the Workplace is about individuals and organisations seeing work as a spiritual path, as an opportunity to grow and to contribute to society in a meaningful way. It is about care, compassion and support of others; about integrity and people being true to themselves and others. It means individuals and organisations attempting to live their values more fully in the work they do. Examples of vertical organizational spirituality include: meditation time at the beginning of meetings, retreat or spiritual training time set aside for employees, appropriate accommodation of employee prayer practices, and openly asking questions to test if company actions are aligned with higher meaning and purpose. Companies with a strong sense of the horizontal will generally demonstrate some or all of the following: caring behaviors among co-workers; a social responsibility orientation; strong service commitments to customers; environmental sensitivity; and a significant volume of community service activities. The vertical and horizontal dimensions should be well integrated – so that motivations (sourced from the vertical) and actions (horizontal manifestations) are explicitly linked. We will be honoring organizations that are financially sound, sustainable, and effective, as well as focused on greater meaning and purpose. We believe that when done properly, Spirit at Work enhances the overall value of the organization.
The phrase “explicitly nurture spirituality” means that the topic of spirituality is openly discussed - not just assumed or implied. In the past some groups have called their initiatives Team Building or Leadership…yet what they really wanted was to create a more spiritual work environment. The drive to make a difference in the world for them was a spiritual hunger. Now they are willing to discuss this openly." (From the 2008 International Spirit at Work Award Application, p. 2).
Values
Spirituality is shown in a workplace when the following activities are included:- Bereavement programs.
- Wellness information displayed and distributed.
- Employee Assistance Programs.
- Programs that integrate work/family.
- Management systems that encourage personal and spiritual transformation.
- Servant leadership – the desire to serve others first in preference to self.
- Stewardship – leadership practices that support growth and well-being of others.
- Diversity programs that create inclusive cultures.
- Integration of core values and core business decisions and practices.
- Leadership practices that support the growth and development of all employees.
Leading from within
We share responsibility for creating the external world by projecting either a spirit of light or a spirit of shadow on that which is other than us. We project either a spirit of hope or a spirit of despair...We have a choice about what we are going to project, and in that choice we help create the world that is. A leader is a person who has an unusual degree of power to project on other people his/her shadow, or his/her light. A leader must take special responsibility for what's going on inside his/her own self, inside his/her consciousness, lest the act of leadership create more harm than good. (Conger 24-25).
See also
- Graham Wilson (minister)Graham Wilson (minister)Graham Wilson , son of George Wilson and Betty Dorothy Wilson , is a UK-based leadership and organisation development specialist.-Education:...
, a workplace chaplain - Dominic SteeleDominic SteeleDominic Steele is the senior minister of Village Church, Annandale, Anglican and Christians in the Media. He was formerly a radio journalist and presenter on radio stations 2UE and 2WS. After colleague Russell Powell, invited him along to his church in 1985 he shortly thereafter became a Christian...
, ministry includes workplace Bible groups - Swami sukhabodhanandaSwami sukhabodhanandaSwami Sukhabodhananda is a well known guru from the Bangalore area of India who is nicknamed "the Corporate Guru." His talks and workshops combine Vedic tradition with Western management and psychological development perspectives. He is known internationally for representing Hinduism at the 2005...
, nicknamed "the Corporate Guru]] - John Sentamu, advocate for faith in the workplace
- Workplace Religious Freedom ActWorkplace Religious Freedom ActThe bipartisan Workplace Religious Freedom Act was introduced in the United States Senate by Senator Rick Santorum and Senator John Kerry on March 17, 2005, and in the House of Representatives by Representatives Mark Souder , Carolyn McCarthy , Bobby Jindal , and Anthony Weiner...
, 2005 US bill requiring employers to make reasonable accommodation for an employees' religious practice or observance - A Practical Reference to Religious Diversity for Operational Police and Emergency ServicesA Practical Reference to Religious Diversity for Operational Police and Emergency ServicesA Practical Reference to Religious Diversity for Operational Police and Emergency Services is a publication of Australasian Police Multicultural Advisory Bureau designed to offer guidance to police and emergency services personnel on how religious affiliation can affect their contact with the...
External links
- http://www.workplacespirituality.info/GuilloryFAQ1.html Spirituality in the Workplace - The Living Organization
- Catholic Servant Leadership
- Foundation for Workplace Spirituality
- Global Dharma Center
- International Center for Spirit at Work
- The High Calling of Our Daily Work
- Theology of Work Project
- Seven Principles of Spirituality in the Workplace
- Faith and Work Initiative