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Presentation at Phd class of 2009 Organisational Behaviour conference(UP)
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The Spiritual Organisation
Marguerite Theron22/10/2009
The purpose of the spiritual organisation• “The purpose of the spiritual organisation
is to support the spiritual development of employees, customers and other stakeholders and for the organisation to be an agent of change for positive good in the world “(Harman in Neal & Biberman, 2004:7).
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Definitions
• Spirit breath, vitality, life force of
individualsAtmosphere place and
effect on peopleVitality and mood of group
• Spirit at work individual experience –
employees passion, energy group culture – trust,
cohesiveness, fairness
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Definition of Spirituality
Spirituality is the answer to the questions what do you believe in and what do you think life is all about? (Bennet, 2001:164)
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EXISTENTIALISM
Metaphysics
UNIVERSAL MORALITY
Interfaith dialogue
New age mysticism
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Table 1: Clusters of terms identified in definitions of spirituality
Virtue Morality Self-actualisation
Wholeness Interconnectedness
Meaning Emotion Life force
Wisdom Values Self-fulfillment
Holism Interdependence
Purpose Passion Energy
Discernment Peace Self-awareness
Integration Inter-relationship
Feeling Vitality
Courage Truth Self-consciousness
Integrity Cooperation Heart Life
Creativity Freedom Self-discovery
Authenticity Community Intrinsic motivation
Justice Balance Teamwork
Harmony
Source:Hicks, 2002:387
Definition of Spirituality
3 main themes: Energy force or life forceSense of unity with the universeMeaning in life
(De Klerk, 2005:69)
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Organisational Spirituality
• An organisation can be regarded as
being spiritual when it “recognizes that employees have an inner life that nourishes and is nourished by meaningful work that takes place in the context of community” (Ashmos & Duchon, 2000:134).
•
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Spirituality at work
• Definition:• “The search for spiritual wholeness
within the context of the workplace. It involves seeking to discover one’s true self, higher life purpose and meaning through one’s work activities and roles”
Coetzee & Roythorne-Jacobs, 2007:201
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Cultural
Mysticism
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Relationship with other constructs: culture, religion, mysticism
Spirituality vs. Religion
Spirituality
• Belief within all individuals
• Internal focus • Goal: determine common
principles, values and ethics
• Beliefs about what is Good, True and Beautiful
• Unites people
Religion
• Expressly stated; organized belief system
• External focus, formal structure
• Goal : salvation through one truth; one right way
• Differentiates between groups of people who believe that only their Truth is absolute
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Adapted from Hicks (2002:380-382 ); Mitchell & Denton (1999:83-92) and Pursig (1974: 362).
Spirituality and Religion: what do they have in common?
• Beliefs about purpose and meaning• Underlying principle of hope and faith• Non-material ; beyond the physical• Transcends time • Service to others; community with others,
betterment of society• Limit greed: money and power• Beliefs guide decision making• Ethics and values
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Sources: Bavister & Vickers, 2008:242; Bennett, 2001:164-166; Hicks, 2002:380-382; Mitroff & Dentron, 1999:89-90
Relationship with other constructs: ethics and values
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Spirituality
Ethics
Values
Doing the right thing: moral choices
Beliefs, that which is important or esteemed
Spiritual leaders demonstrate ethical behaviour and authentic expression of spiritual values
Spiritual values of leaders compassion , forgiveness, hope,
perseverance (Dalai Lama, 1996:64)
integrity and honesty (Neal, 1997:121, Reave, 2005)
respect for others, humility. Reave, 2005 altruistic love ; community well-being (Fry
& Slocum, 2008, 89; Mbon, 1991:108)
Affiliative values: self respect; personal growth; responsibility; social rights; purposeful living; self discipline; personal integrity; fairness/justice; self-acceptance (Coetzee & Roythone-Jacobs, 2007:202)
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Models of Spirituality in Organisations
• Religious based • Evolutionary
organisation• Recovery based
organisation• Socially
Responsible • Values based
organisation
Chick Fil –A YMCA (evangelism to
general service -1877) 12 Step AA ideology
and principles (1935)
Medicins Sans Frontiers
Johnson & Johnson
14Mitroff & Denton, 1999:83
What triggers a move towards a more spiritual organisation?
Employee workforce in crises: high
turnover, stress-related illnesses and absenteeism
Wellness Interventions: Body , Mind ,
Spirit
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What triggers a move towards a more spiritual organisation?
Leaders who aspire to
integrate their spirituality , ethics and values into
work
Greed: profit, self interest,
unethical behaviour
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What triggers a move towards a more spiritual organisation?
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Spiritual owner
•Create mission•Implement Strategy
New leader
•Revise mission •Add spiritual focus
Leader Epiphany
•Current leader •Change/ implement
Why bring spirituality to work?
Spiritual Construct Outcomes
Spiritual development Increased individual effectivenessCumulative effect on organizational performance and profitability - Dent et al. 2005:639
Spiritual well-being psychological well-being (degree of happiness and satisfaction with life) Temane & Wissing (2006:592).
Meaning in life Career commitment,Motivation (instrinsic motivation and goal orientation)Work orientation (De Klerk, 2001: upetd.up.ac.za)
Spiritual behaviour of leaders: positive eg. Respect for personal and inner life
Psychological well-being of followersHigher commitment (Rego, Cunha & Oliveira, 2008:165) 18
Why bring spirituality to work?
Spiritual Construct Outcomes
Lack of spiritual behaviour from leaders: negative behaviour e.g. bossiness, laziness, disrespect
Negative emotions, protest, disobedience, decrease in performance (R ego, Cunha & Oliveira, 2008:165)
Meaning in life Healthy and balanced lifestylePositive work attitudeContribution to community and welfare work (De Klerk, Boshoff & Van Wyk, 2009)
Workplace spirituality – of work unit
Workplace spirituality of leader
Increase in work unit performance as measured by customer satisfaction
Covariance of attitudes of leader to spirituality , group spirituality and performance (Duchon & Plowman, 2005:826)
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Integrated performance and Spirituality
People• compassion• Care• Employee
well being• Social
responsibility
Planet• Sustainable
caretakers• Responsible
use of resources
Profit• Avoid short
term greed• How did you
make your profit?
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We all have a moral duty to ensure that whatever we do today doesn’t compromise the needs of those who come after us. None of us is the owner of this Earth. We are all caretakers, and transient at that.”
King & Lessidrenska, 2009:421
Implications of spirituality at work – the individual level
• Communicate honestly, act ethically• Recognize multiple employee commitments• Spirituality and religion part of cultural
diversity – respect and understanding• Develop employees professionally and
personally identify their own individual values; Develop Emotional Intelligence Develop Spiritual Intelligence
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Implications of spirituality at work – the individual level cont.
• Appreciation for individual and their contribution
• Manage ethically and impartially• Promote workplace wellness – incl. physical,
mental, emotional and spiritual wellness
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Implications of spirituality at work – the group level• Promote understanding, tolerance and
acceptance of diversity (Hicks, 2002:380)
• Promote interpersonal experience: sense of connection to others and common purpose
• Encourage and explore values of affiliation and altruistic love
• Consider group rituals that enhance spirituality (Raelin, 2006:68)
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Implications of spirituality at work – the group level cont.• Examples of group rituals:
Meaning-making “What do we plan to care about?” (Raelin, 2006:68)
Contemplation practices such as reflective dialogue, cycles of action and reflection, council circle (Duerr,2004:50)
Team based community upliftment or environmental care activities (Kinjersky & Skrypnek, 2004:28)
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Implications of spirituality at work – the organisation level
• Spiritual leadership• Value statement and mission• From values to action• HR policies and procedures
(congruence, authenticity, consistency)
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