By: Mariam Khan
No other species has as significant impact upon the planet as humankind. We sprint towards productivity and innovate with tremendous speed. The first powered aircraft flights took place in 1903 and, just 66 years later, we put humans on the moon. That’s impressive progress! And yet, despite our successes, we often forget that we are living creatures with spiritual and physiological needs. We need to feel safe and loved, we need to feel rested, we need to feel part of a higher purpose. Those needs have often been at odds with our modern ideals of productivity. The conflict between wellness and productivity is felt especially keenly in the wake of COVID-19.
It is now essential for workplaces to focus upon aspects of life that are neither physical nor material. Many are embracing a new approach to corporate culture “workplace spirituality”. But what exactly is spirituality in the workplace? Workplace spirituality is about embracing the elements of life beyond pay checks, productivity, and achievements. It is about connecting with colleagues and remembering that we are not just world-changing innovators, we are humans too. It is not about religion or faith, simply the belief that a focus on wellbeing benefits us all. It takes time and effort to build a spiritual workplace. Instead of only meeting deadlines, employers must improve how things are done to promote spirituality at work. They must adopt a strategy that promotes spiritual activities to take place in the workplace. Furthermore, since each employee grows at a different pace, employers must be patient with their goal setting.
As with all attempts to improve company culture, workplace spirituality starts with your vision and mission. If you can set clear goals for your organisation, and communicate these to your employees, staff will feel a greater sense of purpose at work. Consider the impact your organisation has upon others in the market, environment, and the consumers. Encourage employees at all levels of the business to act with care and compassion. Focus on your moral responsibilities, as well as your legal obligations. This includes taking your commitment to Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion seriously. A diverse workforce, where everyone can feel a sense of ownership, is more than good business sense. It encourages human connection, sharing ideas, and reminds us that we all share the same planet. It creates an environment without fear where everyone can thrive.
Offer development opportunities for your staff and produce training which is about more than professional output. Focus your training upon self-worth, stress management, open communication, and team spirit. Think about how your employees spend their leisure time. Can you offer whole-company retreats or start ‘meeting-free Wednesday’s? Try not to see this as paid downtime but as an investment in the wellness of your workforce. Tap into the ideas within your team too. Many will already have great ideas for creating a spiritual company culture that values human connection.
We must create a spiritual environment for our employees. Many spiritual activities, such as meditation, mindfulness, and prayer, necessitate a sense of peace and solitude. Encourage spirituality at work by providing a dedicated space, such as a meeting room, where employees can go if they want to reconnect with their spiritual side during a stressful workday. Encourage employees to get to know each other better on a personal level. Employees can gain a better understanding of each other’s spiritual values in this way. They could also learn some new practices that they can apply in their own lives. This is also an excellent way for people with various spiritual views to exchange ideas.
Workplace spirituality is explicitly not about productivity. However, it does have an undeniable positive impact on businesses and that is another excellent reason to get involved. A spiritual culture can lead to better employee retention, boost morale, and increase customer loyalty. The University of Chicago found that companies are more likely to profit if they are guided by clear ethical principles. Meanwhile, Oxford University found that ‘happy’ workers are 13% more productive. Research by Deloitte explains that “a productive, positive employee experience has emerged” in the workplace. It is time for all businesses to embrace spirituality and what it means to be human. After all, what’s the point of putting people on the moon if we can’t be happy here on earth?
The writer is the Founder/CEO of MK Coaching and currently working with The Dayspring as Bureau Chief-Washington, DC. She can be reached at [email protected].