Workplace Spirituality & Indian Ethos

By: Sandeep Gupta, FCA, PGD(Theology)

25th February, 2012

International Conference ‘SPIRITUAL PARADIGM FOR SURMOUNTING GLOBAL MANAGEMENT CRISIS’

School of Management Sciences, Varanasi

Societal Evolution Waves

Every civilization has a hidden code – a set of rules or principles that run through all its activities programming the behavior of millions and spreading across the planet like a wave (Alvin Toffler)

– 8500 BC – 1700 AD : The ‘First Wave’ – Agriculture

– 1700 AD onwards : The ‘Second Wave’ - Industrialization

– Early 1900s onward: The ‘Third Wave’ - Information and knowledge

– Late 1900s onward : The ‘Fourth Wave’ - ‘Spiritual Consciousness’

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The Emerging Social Paradigm

1. Shift in Consciousness

2. Disenchantment with Scientism

3. Inner Sources of Authority and Power

4. Re-spiritualization of Society

5. Decline of Materialism

6. Political and Economic Democratization

7. Beyond Nationality

(Source: Maynard & Mehrtens, 1993)

The 21st century is witnessing a new wave of development in ‘Human Consciousness’ whose last bastion is the workplace (Neal & Biberman, 2003)

Business

Business is an integral part of human life and functions like a living system that adapts itself quickly to its external environment i.e. societal values

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Businesses are adding ‘spirituality’ in their operational paradigm, a dimension that has less to do with rules and order and more to do with meaning, purpose and a sense of

community (Ashmos & Duchon, 1998)

‘Workplace Spirituality’ Phenomenon

Starting in the 1990 ‘Workplace Spirituality’ is a reaction to the scientism, materialism and individualism that got promoted during the 20th century

Primarily a Western phenomenon but has global implications due to West’s economic and industrial dominance

Rooted in business economics, science and religion, it is an attempt to accommodate ‘spiritual consciousness’ at the workplace (Fahey, 2007)

Organizations trying to ‘retrofit’ spirituality into their existing scheme of things

Spirituality being used more as a tool to address leadership, employees’ motivation and productivity issues, rather than as a scaffold to structure and enhance business sustainability and growth quotient

– Coca-Cola, Boeing and Sears – some adopted practices include religious study groups; voluntary prayer groups; interfaith dialog groups; introspection sessions; meditation exercises; etc.

– The Body Shop and Tom’s of Maine – have incorporated spirituality in their CSR program

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Spirituality is neither a business opportunity nor a management tool and it should not be used to develop corporate reputation (Lozano and Ribera, 2005)

‘Workplace Spirituality’ Phenomenon (cont.)

Confusion exists about what constitutes ‘workplace spirituality’ and how it influences organizational culture

More than 70 definitions of ‘workplace spirituality’ identified by Markow and Klenke (2005)

Businesses need to appreciate that ‘workplace spirituality’ is not practice of personal spirituality at workplace but an operational culture that enables business to “See – Think – Behave” holistically

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THE INDIAN PERSPECTIVE

the SPIRIT is the core of existence and the principle of conscious life what pertains to it or consists of it is spiritual the quality or fact of being spiritual is known as spirituality

Thus ‘WORKPLACE SPIRITUALITY’ can be defined as “harnessing the characteristics of the

“SPIRIT” in the work environment and conducting business in a socially responsible manner which promotes internal (organization) and external (society) co-creation and co-

development”

The Essence of Indian Philosophy & Ethos

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The ‘Indian Ethos’ center around ‘conscious living’ and are rooted in the metaphysics of ‘The Spirit’ i.e. single point reality with multiple manifestations of different shades

‘Conscious Living’ means a “moral and righteous” living – viz. a life not of zero desires but of regulated desires, a life whose hallmark are love, fellowship & sacrifice, and a life that gives preference to society over personal gratification

“Spirituality is leading a highly rational, value based and active life culminating in Self-Knowledge” (Swami Nikhilananda)

MAN

Infinite pure spiritual energy with attendant features of supreme creative energy, intelligence, refulgence and bliss; the cause of all creation and the essence of all life

Extension of “spirit” whose divinity is not

an actuality, but a potentiality; a cross between dust and deity, & God and

brute

Me

nta

l & P

hys

ica

l Fo

rce

s

Men

tal & P

hysical

Forces

SPIRIT

Spirit Force

PHYSICAL (GROSS) PLANE

SPIRIT (SUBTLE) PLANE

DOMINANT

ABSENT

Kama Krodha

Lobh Moha

Ahankar Matsarya

SELFLESS & GLOBAL

SELFISH

Focus of Life

TRUE & COMPLETE

PERCEIVED & PARTIAL

Knowledge & Wisdom

ABSOLUTE & KINETIC

LOW & LATENT

Consciousness

MORAL & RIGHTEOUS LIFE

Objective: Evolve human consciousness

Rationale: Action is inevitable in this world (Karmabhoomi)

Method: Self governance, regulated desires and participative active life

Tools: Contemplation, conscious decision making, selfless acts, etc.

Result: Revised view of life leading to integrated growth of self and society

Moral & Rational Life – Do’s & Don’ts (Radhakrishnan, 1914)

– Respect human dignity and recognize man as man

– Nothing human is alien

– Do not isolate yourself from the life of the whole

– Life is a trust for humanity, satisfaction of personal desires is secondary

– Do your best to make your small corner beautiful, efficient and loving

– Lead a life governed by the principle of ‘Dharma’ (righteousness) – i.e. not a life of zero desires but a life of regulated desires

– Reign your ‘Lust (Kama), anger (Krodha), greed (Lobh), attachment (Moha), pride (Mada or Ahankar) and jealousy (Matsarya) ‘the six human weaknesses otherwise the divine in you will be pushed back by the beast in you

– Contemplation, control over senses, conscious decision making (think before you act), selfless action are some of the action points for leading a rational life

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Since business is integral part of human life, a social arrangement to create and share wealth, the do’s and don’ts of moral and rational living are equally

applicable to businesses situations

The Essence of Indian Philosophy & Ethos (cont..) The Essence of Indian Philosophy & Ethos (cont..)

The Essence of Indian Philosophy & Ethos (cont..)

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Transcendence from Self-centeredness to Selflessness

Evo

luti

on

of

ind

ivid

ua

l &

gro

up

co

nsc

iou

snes

s

I & my family

MAN

SPIRIT

Indian Ethos & Business

Wealth generation (Artha) is encouraged provided it is done for the ‘right purpose and the right way’ (socially responsible behaviour)

– Right Purpose: For societal good rather than for amassing personal wealth and personal gratification

– Right Way: Using honest & fair means and without causing damage to man, property and nature

Recent studies have established the efficacy of ‘The Right Purpose Right Way’ concept

– Marglis and Walsh (2003) examined 127 published studies and found that only 5% reported a negative impact of ‘socially responsible behaviour’ on profits

– Sheth (2007) identified 30 publically traded companies who dared to look beyond ‘investor’s wealth maximization’ maxim and observed that the short term & long term performance of these 30 companies was much higher than the ‘S&P 500’ companies

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Money is the visible sign of a universal force, and this force in its manifestation works on the vital and physical planes, and is necessary and indispensible for fullness of outer life. A

strong attraction for human ego, thus the seekers and keepers of wealth are more often possessed rather than its possessor (Sri Aurobindo)

Indian Ethos & Business Culture

Business being a non living entity does not have a culture of its own

‘The so called business culture’ is the sum total of the culture of its leaders, managers and workers

Man is a spiritual being and is instinctively drawn towards harmony and interdependence, it is a different matter that the dominance of his lower tendencies makes him to act otherwise

Man has an inborn ability to transcend himself and his surroundings from low tendencies to high tendencies, provided he wants to do so

History is full of examples of societal transformation thru spiritual values (change in collective consciousness)

– Era of Ashoka The Great: Transformed from a warrior society to a peace loving and spiritual society thru Buddhist values

– The Bhakti Movement: Resurgence of Hinduism in society

THUS a business culture driven by Indian Ethos is also achievable provided there is commitment and patience on the part of the management – ALL cultural changes take time

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THE NEED: A business model that amalgamates ‘economics’ and ‘spirituality’ - Economics nurtures the outer (physical) world of man - Spirituality nurtures the inner

(consciousness) world of man Spirituality & Economics combine is responsible for all growth & evolution (Swami

Vivekananda)

Indian Ethos Driven Business Model

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Culture Officer

Contribution in resolution of

social, economic & environmental

challenges

Enhanced societal acceptance and

support

Enhanced brand value and prestige

Increased sustainability

quotient

Mission State in terms of commerce and finance

Vision Define in terms of Societal Wealth creation

Values: The 5 universal virtues Non-violence, Truthfulness, Not Stealing, Restraint

& Non-Possessiveness

Board of Directors To include spiritualists, economists & scientists

Strategy Driven by Co-creation & Co-evolution Philosophy

Operating & Management Environment (Change / include)

Management style • Participatory (brain storming sessions) Decision making paradigm • Does it confirm to organization’s values? • Will it add to the sustainability quotient? • Will it generate profits for the organization? Target Setting • A mix of financial & participation in CSR Incentives • Calculated on a mix of financial, community

participation & adherence to organizational values

Company becomes

attractive for investors

INCREASE IN SUSTAINABILITY

This Model does not asks for sacrificing

profits or economic

principles, on the contrary it opens the

path for larger profits by striking a right balance

between business’s economic and social obligations

Conclusion

The recipe to:

– Replace a pure economic decision making approach by a ‘socio-economic’ society sensitive approach’

– Develop internal and external coherence within the organization

– Make work meaningful and purposeful for the members of the organization

– Etc. ….

IS ONLY ONE

INTENTION – INTENTION – INTENTION

The core & starting point of transformation in Indian Ethos

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Thank You

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