What is Spirituality?
For several years, I have been interested in spirit at work. But the word spirituality can make some people uncomfortable. One of the best definitions of the word that I have found comes from the book Sou at Work: Spirituality Leadership in Organizations by Margaret Benefiel.
She says that spirituality is "the human spirit, fully engaged." She believes this includes the "intellectual, emotional, and relational depth of human character, as well as the continuing capability and yearning for personal development and evolution." While this definition can include religion, but it is not limited to that.
Benefiel continues to explain that she likes the word "soul" which is the "lived manifestation of spirituality in an individual, a family, or an organization. It is the way the emotional or relational depth is honored and the way that yearnings for development or evolution are given space."
One of my favorite quotes from her book is this:
"Profit is to business what breathing is to humans. Both are essential to survival, but just as breathing is not the purpose of life, so profit is not the purpose of business."
What does soul at work look like? How can people bring soul to work?


Comments