Business is business.
That’s the mantra that drives a lot of corporate decision-making.
“We’re just a team of people coming together to provide a good or service,” the thinking goes.
Unfortunately, we don’t live in a world of arbitrary categories. Instead, we live in a world where people are psychological and spiritual, whether they realize it or not.
That’s where organizations need to change. They need to recognize that business isn’t just a mechanical process of generating revenue and reducing costs. It also has a profoundly human element, which also includes spirituality.
Finding Your Inner Light: A Guide To Developing A Spiritual Culture In Your Organization
Most organizations don’t want to broach this topic, but the ones that do are more likely to be successful. Working in a spiritual manner can boost productivity and encourage employees to stick with you for the long haul.
Leading things view business as a “spiritual game.” Tony Robbins, the coach, and speaker, takes the view that starting companies is fundamental to some people because it is an act of service.
The purpose of this post is to discuss what a spiritual culture in a business context means, why it’s important, and some examples of organizations already tinkering with the idea right now.
To learn more, read on.
What Is A Spiritual Culture?
Spiritual workplace culture is any culture that supports the spiritual development and well-being of its members. It recognizes that everyone has a spirit or inner light, and it is something they can nurture and grow to become more joyful, generous, and contented individuals.
Spiritual cultures don’t have to have a specific religious ideology underlying them. They can be quite generic. And they can also involve having a higher purpose for the greater good – something that’s lacking in many for-profit enterprises.
If you have quite a monocultural company, you might be able to experiment with specific religious devotions. However, you’ll need to be careful. You don’t want to scare your best employees away.
Ultimately, spiritual culture is more about how we relate to ourselves, to others, and to the world around us. It’s about being mindful and working towards a healthier environment for all.
Why Is A Spiritual Culture Important?
We’ve already hinted at why a spiritual culture is important but it is worth spelling out again here. These approaches to business generate benefits along dimensions you would never ordinarily imagine!
Increased Happiness And Satisfaction
The primary benefit of introducing a spiritual culture is to improve workers’ happiness and satisfaction. When people feel like they are having an impact on the world, it makes a tremendous difference in how they feel. They are more joyful, grateful, and compassionate – mental states associated with improved states of mind.
Enhanced Energy And Performance
Happiness like this also leads to enhanced energy and performance. Spiritual cultures let people think more freely, relying on creativity, wisdom, and intuition over dull, dry processes. The result is far greater motivation and resilience.
For instance, workers with access to professional chaplains are far less likely to be absent from the job. They are also more likely to see their work as a mission, instead of something they need to do to pay various bills.
This added motivation enhances day-to-day productivity significantly. Workers want to take on projects because they interest them.
Better Relationships Between Team Members
Another significant benefit of developing a spiritual culture in your organization is the improvement in relationships between team members. When people begin going within and doing critical work, they tend to become more trusting and empathetic, working in harmony with the people around them.
When this process reaches fruition, Innovation and collaboration skyrocket. People become less interested in their personal ambitions, and more concerned with making things happen. They align their values with the needs of the company and wider society, finding a way to make a contribution that makes sense for them.
Greater Impact
This process then leads to a greater impact. When people are in touch with their spirituality, they are much more likely to inspire others to do the same. They contribute to positive social change and help make entire communities better.
Profit ceases from being the primary focus and instead becomes a tool. Companies with spiritual capital use it as a yardstick, measuring their success and the value they bring to people. It’s not just something for their shareholders.
How To Develop A Spiritual Culture In Your Company
So what can you actually do to develop a more spiritual culture in your company and help people find their “inner light.”
Essentially, you need to do it with intention and commitment. You need to take action at all levels of your organization, from your employee handbook to your C-suite. Every interaction should have a spiritual underpinning.
Define Your Values
First, define your values for the future. Find a vision and clarify what spirituality means to you and your organization. Ask yourself what your vision for your spiritual culture is. Figure out what principles you’ll base it on, and look for ways to express spirituality in your work. Rewrite your company mission if you have to!
Communicate Your Ideas To Your Team
The next step is to communicate your spiritual ideas to your team. Telling them about them and what the company stands for is essential for getting everyone on board.
Create Time And Space For Spiritual Practices
After that, you’ll want to create time and space for spiritual practices so that employees can actually engage in them. For instance, you could include meditation, prayer, journaling, or yoga facilities for employees to help them connect with their inner light more often, including while in the office. This could involve:-
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- Landscaping to build a nature spot for quiet relaxation or meditation
- A meditation corner, room, or nook
- A dedicated quiet room to make concentration easier
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You can also do things like encouraging your team to take regular breaks or join you in these practices. When leadership gets involved, other people quickly follow.
Help Team Members Share Their Spiritual Learning With Each Other
The fourth step is to encourage learning and sharing about spirituality among your team members. The way you do this is fundamentally a personal choice. For instance, you could invite speakers, set up workshops, or organize webinars for remote employees. You can also do things like arrange peer coaching sessions where people share spiritual ideas with each other.
Lead By Example
Lastly, you might also try leading by example to build a more spiritual culture in your organization. This means embodying your visions and values and applying them every day when you are around your colleagues.
When you lead by example, others naturally follow. Your trust and respect is likely to grow, and people are more likely to see you as an authority or leader, encouraging further inner change.
Examples Of Organizations With Spiritual Cultures
There are multiple organizations with spiritual cultures embedded into their work environments. Google is a good example. It offers its employees various programs and resources related to spirituality, such as mindfulness training, meditation classes, yoga sessions, and a dedicated space called the Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute (SIYLI) where employees can learn and practice emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and leadership skills.
Another company, Patagonia, which sells outdoor clothing gear also has a spiritual culture. Thanks to its association with mountaineering, it’s keen on mastering the human mind and helping colleagues become better versions of themselves.
Then, finally, there’s Whole Foods Market. It sells delicious and health-promoting foods with a strong spiritual culture. It wants to nourish people and the planet and move them away from consuming potentially harmful foods.
Ciao,
Miss Kemya
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