The Impact of Personal Spiritual Practices in the

Workplace

Alexis M. Todd

Literature Review

• There is a difference between religion and spirituality

• Expressions of spirituality in the workplace encompass values, attitudes, and actions

Literature Review

• Quantified benefits include:

- increased profitability

- more effective customer service

- higher quality standards

- professionalism in the workplace

- better decision making

- improved business relationships

What is spirituality?

• a belief that a divine power governs the universe

• universal and timeless

• non-denominational • broadly inclusive

What are spiritual practices?

Activities we do to be in touch with the spiritual aspects of life and ourselves.

What are spiritual practices?

• Affirmations

• Creative visualization

• Journaling

• Meditation

• Prayer

• Spending time in nature

• Tai Chi

• Yoga

Research Question

Is the workplace behavior of spiritually aware

employees informed by personal spiritual

practices?

Who, why and how

• Two samples

• Twenty-two question study

• Data collection

Response

• 22% of the 175 Unitarian surveys

• 52% of 525 St. Joan of Arc surveys

• 44.5% total response rate

• Average age range: 42 -51

• Job designation: Professional

Spirituality is an integral part of my day, whether at home, work or play

Agree84%

Disagree7%

Neither Agree or Disagree

9%

In the past 30 days have you participated in any of these spiritual practices?

3%

15%

21%

27%

36%

39%

64%

75%

Tai Chi

Yoga

Journaling

Creative Visualization

Affirmations

Meditation

Nature

Prayer

Spiritual practices are a valuable addition to my business life

• 73% agreed

• 19% disagreed

• 8% no opinion

Have you considered the effect of your personal spiritual practices on your performance in the workplace?

• 81% Yes

• 19% No

In what areas have your personal spiritual practices benefited your work ?

10%

11%

27%

32%

51%

59%

78%

Personal Sales

Profitability

Longevity with Employer

Productivity

Business Relationships

Job Satisfaction

Ethics

Do you use your personal spiritual practices to/for

15%

34%

48%

51%

57%

58%

59%

60%

Improve amount of work done

Create a vision for your work

Improve relationships with co-workers

Strength to make tough decisions

Get guidance thru difficulty

Give Thanks for the day

De-escalate negativity

Become calm during crisis

I believe that spirituality should be a part of a company’s culture

• 57% agreed

• 19% disagreed

• 24% no opinion

Which of these words describe your workplace?

25%

26%

29%

31%

32%

37%

38%

Open Comm

Partnership

Shared Vision

Creative

Honest

Respectful

Ethical

Describe how your personal spiritual practices affect your work behavior

or business decisions.

“My spiritual practices guide my decisions - what is right - what is fair - what is best for my customer, myself and my company.”

5% said personal spiritual practices

are not a factor

“My job requires me to park all spiritual practices with my car before I walk in the door.”

Research Question

Is the workplace behavior of spiritually aware

employees informed by personal spiritual

practices?

May I answer your questions?