Spirituality - RoundTable

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Linda Sue Grimes

The reason behind the increasing interest in spirituality is quite simple: It works. It operates the divine law of abundance. It is not a fad. It will continue.

Are concepts like 'spirituality in the workplace', 'organization renewal', etc., meant only for mature organizations which have financial and human resources to support such activities? What about start-ups/ small scale industries, etc.?

Prabhu Guptara

In my experience, it does not matter whether companies are mature or start-ups: Some of both sorts of companies welcome and nurture spiritual interests. By contrast, other companies (mature or start-ups) are hostile or negligent of spirituality.

Wayne Visser

Ultimately, spirituality in the workplace is an attitude, a way of being. Hence, formal structures, organization size, and supportive resources are not the determining factors. Companies large and small can embrace spirituality by the way the conduct their business, by the way they treat their employees and customers, by their generosity of spirit in distributing profits, by the concern they show for pressing social and environmental issues, by the example their leaders set in placing values at the heart of all decisions. In some senses, spirituality is more difficult to practice in large, mature organizations, where bureaucratic procedures and formal roles dictate behavior. People are allowed to hide behind the masks of their job titles, their obligations to shareholders, their mantras of corporate protocol. In smaller organizations, the human face is more visible and the human touch more tangible.

Alex Pattakos

A quick review of the concept of "spirituality at work" more likely would show that it is more likely to be present (in a transparent sort of way) in smaller organizations and especially in "start-up" companies. Think about it: In the early life stages of an organization, much like that of human beings, the propensity for creativity (i.e, manifesting the creative "spirit") is frequently much higher than when an organization "matures." As organizational systems become more complex, and are driven by different motives (i.e., profit), the challenge of rediscovering the soul of the business becomes paramount.

Linda Sue Grimes

Spirituality in the workplace will continue to grow, including all workplaces. God is omnipresent, as well as omniscient. Therefore, if God makes your Sundays better days, it stands to reason that God will make your Mondays-Saturdays better days as well. Businesses are learning this. And the success that those who have put a spiritual element into place will be desired by others; that's why I predict that spirituality in the workplace will spread.

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