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Does Spirituality enhance the work environment?

Written by: Christiane Pohl

Article Overview: Is there a place for spirituality in the work environment? And above all what exactly do we mean by spirituality? I have always felt a bit self-conscious about using the word myself and after researching those questions I would now define spirituality as being an expression of life enhancing values that are anchored somewhere in all human beings. What is spirituality for you? Does it find expression in the way you work?

Does Spirituality enhance the work environment?

One of my favorite definitions of Spirituality comes from Sri Sri Ravishankar. When asked about the difference between Spirituality and Religion he replied: “Spirituality is the banana, religion is the peel. What is happening is that people hold on to the peel and throw away the banana.” Could we then say that what we refer to as our spirit is the essence of our humanness? Could spirituality then simply be a way of being in touch and living in line with our human values?

During my research I found that Stories about spirituality in the workplace are everywhere. In fact a recent Google search turned up more than 60,000 hits - all related to the soul at work. I then interviewed 20 leaders from different industries on the importance of spirituality in their business leadership and they said it helps them:

• Inspire their companies to do good in surrounding communities
• Find guidance in making crucial decisions, especially those that affect other people.
• Shape their leadership through emphasis on personal values such as dignity and honesty

We then discussed what we considered to be the key spiritual values and how they benefit people and the environment at the workplace. Here is what we came up with:

Spirituality is people defining their values, their humanness and what kind of world they want to create. As business people, we realize the value of having a vision of where we are heading. Once we have gained clarity of what we want to create our actions will be accordingly. Clarity and Creativity are cornerstones of business and life. They allow us to come out with new products and services that really are of service. They allow us to do more with less. In essence, clarity and creativity lead to more efficiency.

Spirituality is authenticity in communication. When the truth is allowed to be safely and respectfully spoken, old problems clear up, new possibilities emerge, and people feel more connected. They work together in a trusting team.

Spirituality is the development of trust. We trust people who operate in an ethical framework. Employees trust employers. Employers trust employees. And customers who trust a company stay customers longer.

In fact, we came to the conclusion that Spirituality is an expression of caring and our ability to see the bigger picture; and those are also the cornerstones of creating a successful life and business. We are all interconnected, a part of a whole. Everything we do, feel and think effects everything else.

We concluded that Spirituality as we understood it enhances the environment at the workplace by promoting key human values and by recognizing that there is more to work than just survival.
Is your work environment a place that enables you to express your soul and spirit?

With my best wishes for your success.

Christiane Pohl

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Article Tags: Business Ethics, Leadership Coaching, Work environment



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Re: Why aren't there more women entrepreneurs? - My opinion on this (being a women, and being disabled), is; Women in general like security. Women are the caretakers, in general. In the work environment we are the one to have children. We are the ones who leave work to do this. We deal with a stigma that we are bad mothers if we work, but we are a bad mother if we do not work. I feel there is no way a man could ever understand this. Sure they can try, and some do a good job of it, however they truly do not understand. How could they?? Being a entrepreneur is throwing cation to the wind. It takes believing in yourself. It takes a women who can have someone say no, put us down or just plan old negativity and for us to turn it around. Women who can do this are called names, while men in the business world are just expected to have a thick skin. Studies show in the work environment that women are more apt to be bullies. Women are more apt to turn on each other. We expect more out of each other. Many women also use the work environment to socialize and to find a mate. Men and women are not created equal. Once we understand this and take what we are and "run" with it; the better all of us will be. Women business owners, women entrepreneurs are still considered a minority. Since there are more women then men in this world, some day this will turn around. This too is why men need to protect themselves and keep us under some kind of control. What bothers me to no end is when women give in to the mans world using sex as a selling tool. We need strong women leaders, not those who use their bodies as a step up. This is just my opinion on this subject.
Working Environment - Probably you should have a separate place and good work environment, its very essential to have work focused atmosphere and also you should enjoy whatever work you do.
Re: Should you hire ambitious workers or employees with no goals - Good question Kevin. I would tend to hire people based on what they love to do. I prefer to work with employees who are highly motivated in their work because they are doing things they find fulfilling. It also creates a more positive and productive work environment. [Link removed by forum admin]
Intro in doses - I think that has more to do with parental guidance rather than enforcing what they would like their child to be when he/she grows up. Parents need to take on a role as a Guidance Counselor would in High school these days - that includes introducing their children to new environments so that they are exposed to an environment they enjoy without enforcing it. e.g. Instead of a parent saying you should become a doctor! They could introduce the environment through "chemistry sets", the Science Center etc. etc. If the child automatically enjoys these environments and doesn't resist it then continue introducing the environment in greater doses. If they resist then continue exploring other environments. The caveat is that with today's lifestyles some parents can't commit to doing this.


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