Spirituality in the Workplace | Business Today
26 Aug 2012 No Comments
Each one of us can make a difference in our work environment by connecting to our higher self. When we come from love, respect and acceptance we set an example that raises the bar for others and for ourselves…
by Mashi Rahmani, CEO, MMC, Inc.
“Spirituality in the Workplace” is a concept that evolved over my many years of experience managing a thriving corporation. I believe the intentions and motives behind every decision made on behalf of a business, its leadership, and its employees manifest into positive or adverse consequences based on the purity of the original intentions and motivations with which such decisions are made. In
short, ill intentions result in negative consequences. Pure intentions result in positive consequences or success, even if the only positive is a successful learning experience.Employee morale has a direct influence on productivity, which is why organizations spend large sums of money trying to make working environments comfortable, pleasant, and even luxurious. When sincerity and pure motives are combined with highly developed business leadership and consistent decision making skills, the outcome is a powerful and highly motivated organization. In searching for business solutions, one must be innovative in developing ways to positively impact not only the client but also co-workers and peers. “Spirituality in the Workplace” is more than just a concept; it is a practical method for attaining business success.
Nowadays, it is a proven fact that a strong connection exists between mind and body. Studies reveal how many people who have illnesses, like heart disease or cancer, also suffer from depression as part of a vicious cycle. Physical ailments create emotional depression, which in turn produces stress that worsens the underlying physical condition. Fascinatingly, modern science shows conversely that a positive attitude can improve health which in turn can increase longevity. What a powerful panacea. Extended scientific observations and experiments have also shown that alternative medicine techniques such as meditation, guided imagery, and, even more effectively, prayer can also alter the course of terminal illness, reduce medical treatments, and even minimize hospital stays. Indeed, spirituality and all that it encompasses is critical to good health.
If we subscribe to the theory that “all created matter has a Creator” and “The source of all creation is a higher power which exudes positive energy,” rather than a negative force, we will develop ways to attract the higher energy to fuel our positive mind, soul, and spirit.
As business people seeking success, we should consider new methods and techniques which connect with a Higher Power. Organizations which practice positive psychology and invest in employee motivational programs have been shown
to reap rewards in the form of improved employee performance and self-reported employee satisfaction. These results generally translate into increased sales and ROI (Return on Investment). This is the philosophy that has become a part of my corporate culture at MMC. We have seen the positive results demonstrated through measurable benchmarks for managers and staff alike as “Spirituality in the Workplace” exudes strong work values and moral ethics. When their best intentions direct their efforts, employees do not have to engage in conduct that repents for errors in their work performance.Practicing “Spirituality in the Workplace” creates win/win results for everyone involved. Employers, employees, and even customers no longer have the need to question the motives of service providers. This brief evaluation of a strategy that has evolved over the past 25 years in my organization is proof that a simple, inexpensive management tool has helped MMC to gain tremendous financial rewards and to train highly motivated employees who genuinely exhibit great respect for one another.
Many organizations spend millions of dollars to develop a work environment purportedly designed to nurture the minds of employees for the benefit of maximizing productivity. The claim, of course, is that the millions invested will lead to higher profitability and an edge over competitors.
Human beings want to be treated fairly, equitably, and respectfully. We are quick to demand respect when we believe the treatment we receive runs contrary to that paradigm. However, our attitudes and entitlement take on a different shape only when we are on the receiving end of the treatment we wish all would aspire to.
A supervisor’s ego should never become an obstacle to developing mutually respectful employee/employer relationships. And managers should never lose sight of the fairness of demands imposed on employees who are being driven to maximize profitability. If managers or business owners considered subordinates’ positions before making decisions that would impact them, decisions might be made differently. Decisions might be made to guarantee fairness and equity that would increase levels of trust and improve interactions between manager and employees. The two would work more like partners focused on the business of producing results.
Now, if the level of mutual respect and love were enhanced, interactions between managers and employees could only result in successful collaboration. Under these conditions, it becomes unnecessary for management to spend valuable time evaluating the sincerity of subordinates, or for employees to question the sincerity of their supervisors’ motives. The time saved from practicing “Spirituality in the Workplace” can assure time for creativity, innovation, and higher productivity with great success. Work places are socio-economic chambers and silos. The environment that an employee arrives to on a daily basis in order to perform and create output for monetary gain can be seen as a vacuum. If an individual arrives at work with the thought that she or he is there to be treated and used as a tool rather than as a contributor to the advancement of the greater community, the results are unpredictable. An employee who feels their performance has an impact on shaping the organization and the larger community, by contrast, exudes confidence and pride that makes his or her contributions to the organization invaluable. The organization that empowers the employee to be a source for delivering fairness, equity, and respect has a major advantage over the organization that limits the employee to merely waiting to receive fairness, equity, or respect from others.
Leaders in corporate America, from the budding business to the most complex, well-established enterprise, need to take a fresh look at organizational goals. Is it the happiness of the employee or the quest of reaching output goals and quotas that drives their business culture? Put plain and simply: happier employees perform better. It behooves managers and business owners then to recognize how spirituality affects the workplace. If we tie personal attributes and abilities to our spirit, which is a driving force for emotions and personal interactions, managers and business owners can begin to open new channels for greater positive energy from an inexhaustible source.
One spiritual commentator describes prayers and mediation as remedies for clearing the clogged arteries of our soul. Because individual needs differ, just as our appetite for food and its consumption varies, I will leave you with this proverbial food for thought. Atthe end of the day, we are all human beings with hearts and souls. Everyone has different lives and different issues; however the one thing that unites us – especially in the workplace—is that we are all trying to do our best and to have our work appreciated, for the benefit of making the world a better place to live. Contentment in the workplace, bred by a sense of spiritual fulfillment, is every bit a valuable commodity. Our attitudes and entitlement take on a different shape only when we are on the receiving end of the treatment we wish all would aspire to.
