Bender Helper Impact

I recently watched “The Proposal” on DVD and in one scene Sandra Bullock’s character, Margaret Tate, tells her assistant Andrew (Ryan Reynolds) he can’t travel home over the weekend due to work. In true Hollywood fashion Tate’s cold heart soon melts, however, and we see the warm, caring woman we knew was there all along. 

As we’re in the midst of the holiday season, the movie made me think of two things. First, the importance of being grateful and caring, and two, we might have avoided debacles such as Enron and WorldCom if more businesses considered incorporating workplace spirituality. No – workplace spirituality has nothing to do with religion or New Age practices.  Rather, it is where a company recognizes people have an inner life that deserves to be nourished and consequently deserve to work in a place that is based on the principles of trust and respect.

Dr. Kent Rhodes writing for the Pepperdine University Graziadio Business Report states, “conversations around the value and place of spirituality in the workplace have been further encouraged by the need for managers and leaders to behave more ethically in the world and to foster ethical decision-making in their workforces.”

Imagine taking the spirit and positive feelings of the holidays and transferring that into the workplace. Americans are, in general, skeptical about major corporations.  From the bonuses for AIG executives to risky mortgages offered to unsuspecting consumers, 21st century corporations seemingly play by a different set of rules. The good thing is that incorporating workplace spirituality does not have to be extreme, or a signal a company is “going soft.”  While it is not a cure-all, if leaders sincerely champion ethics over greed and harmony over clashes, while also keeping an eye on the bottom line and implementing solid business practices, corporate American can begin to restore consumer perceptions and promote positive change. Now that would be a happy ending.

[Follow Angela: @AngelaLapre]
 
If Enron adopted workplace spirituality and was less focused on unethical means, perhaps Enron CEO Jeff Skilling (pictured) would not have found himself behind bars.

Photo credit: AP Worldwide