Spirituality. What is it, and how can you apply it in your work? Is it as untethered as it seems? Or is there such a thing as down-to-earth spirituality, and does it also apply to the business world, government, and more? And how does spirituality make your work more meaningful, enjoyable, and effective? Here are some answers.
The idea that spirituality plays no role in business, government, or elsewhere in the working world is, of course, nonsense. Paul de Blot, a former endowed professor at Nijenrode University and whom I spoke with there, was already publicizing about it in the 1990s. He developed "Business Spirituality," which he taught and wrote inspiring articles about. But what exactly is spirituality, and how can you apply it in your work? For yourself, your team, or your organization
There are various definitions of spirituality, but they often have the following in common:
Spirituality can also lead people to a state of being untethered or elevated, either individually or as a group. This is especially evident when the 'spiritual ego' plays a major role. People then cling (openly or secretly) to the following belief: I am, or we are as a group, further along, better, higher, more spiritual, or more enlightened in my/our development than you. This is the source of many arguments, conflicts, and historical wars. This is especially true when others are also required to submit to a fixed spiritual form, or it is preached that this form is the only worthy way of living and working.
But what if you use spirituality daily to create a better world within and around you, even at work? Close to home, with your own clients, colleagues, and all other stakeholders. And you use your own body, soul, and a managed ego as vehicles to give spirituality concrete form? That's possible. When this happens spirituality becomes not just a way of life, but also a way of working: professional spirituality.
Truly lived spirituality occurs when you work and live from spirit: also called Universal Consciousness, the Divine, the Source, Oneness. After years of international travel and research into various religions and (indigenous) cultures, there are several common characteristics that apply to working and living from spirit. You can find these in detail in the book: Spirited Personal Leadership – for more effective work, a meaningful life, and a better world: https://martinthoolen.com/en/publicaties/
The following isn't an exhaustive list, but rather a number of pointers you can use daily: individually at work, in your team, or in your organization:
• Neutral Working: Your interactions with others are judgment-free.
• Healthy Balance: For work/relaxation, among other things.
• Transparency: There are no secrets or hidden agendas; honesty and truth are guiding principles, and you articulate the "undercurrent."
• Equality: You present yourself as equal to others, without any indication of superiority or inferiority.
• Intuition: Like a compass, you get straight to the heart of the matter.
• Here and Now: You work more often from the here and now rather than from the past or future.
• Emphasize Similarities: You emphasize similarities with others that strengthen the connection.
• Heart: You act with heart for yourself and heart for others.
• Self-Awareness: You bring your managed ego and soul to your work in a conscious way in service of spirit.
When you make better use of the above guidelines in your daily work and during major transitions, your work becomes more enjoyable, meaningful, and effective.Both for you as a professional and for your team or organization. How? You'll see below.
Spirit transcends ego and self-interest. So one way to allow spirit to gain more ground is to ask yourself: "What am I working for? What am I contributing to?" When you want to contribute to something that benefits us all, the common good, more spirit will naturally flow into your work. This can become a reason to review your role or job, or eventually choose something else in your career development.
"Spirit transcends ego and self-interest"
Another way of working ‘in service of spirit’ is to always approach your colleagues and other stakeholders from the heart, meaning: simply with kindness, gentleness, respect, and forgiveness, even if you disagree with them or they don't meet your expectations.
A third way is to respectfully and curiously raise pain points that others sweep under the rug. For example, in meetings where everyone tends to nod their heads in agreement, while pain points are not sufficiently addressed.
A fourth way is to treat everyone equally, regardless of cultural background, gender, race, hierarchical position, status, or anything else. Total inclusion also characterizes spirit, because spirit excludes nothing. You approach every employer/employee or stakeholder as a respectful individual who possesses their own knowledge, experience, and talents.
"Spirit excludes nothing"
There are countless more examples, but try these out. I predict that the content of your work or collaboration with others will take flight, with all the enjoyment and effectiveness that entails.
Why does a less capable football team sometimes beat a better team? Through greater team spirit; 1 + 1 = 3. When team members intrinsically want to achieve a result together, a much greater force is unleashed: team spirit.
A current client of mine explained how he previously led his team. Not from intimidation, micromanagement, verbal punishment, or keeping his people down, because this is something he often experienced himself in the travel industry he works for.
In short, not from ego, but from spirit: empowerment, positively reinforcing and encouraging one's own independence and talent development; granting increasing authority and authorization; verbalizing and respectfully resolving underlying irritations; continuing to engage in inquisitive dialogue with his team; and reward and celebrate a shared achievements. The result was that this team achieved a 150% increase in revenue within two quarters.
Organizational spirit manifests itself, among other things, when an organization contributes to a better world through its vision and mission. But what is better and what is meaningful? This depends partly on the perspective you take: from a collective ego, soul, or spirit.
From an ego perspective, a commercial company might think that they provide their customers with what they think the customers need; for example, quickly produced and delivered non-perishable food; consumer goods, affordable clothing, etc. From a soul perspective, as a company, you then fully support the vision you want to realize.
However, from a spirit perspective, it is meaningful to contribute to a better world for the people in your own organization and the products or services you provide to your customers. This could mean, for example, not offering preferential treatment in terms of compensation and bonuses to any of your employees. It could mean ensuring everyone shares equally in the company's profits. As a company, you might invest in SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and actively implement and act on these policies. Or it could be, for example, that the vision and mission of your company evolve in such a way that you contribute to a healthy and happy world for ‘all the people’ around you, or even around the world.
The leadership of organizational leaders plays a fundamental role in this.
One way of leading your organization is to behave and make choices mainly based on ego, particularly the patriarchal side of the ego. Let me explain how you can recognize this:
For example, Recently I was mentoring a healthcare professor for a year who, due to (in his view, unfair) decisions, fell into the Patriarch' trap. His inner irritation caused him to unconsciously invoke his position of power as a director. This led to significantly less support in interactions with colleagues and the Supervisory Board. There was less joy and less effectiveness within the organization, partly due to some of his actions. Also, because in conversations with others, he was more likely to transmit than to listen. Until he saw how he could provide more spirit-driven leadership. A foundation of equality; enduring kindness; openness and neutrality.
He began encouraging people to come up with their own creative ideas and to incorporate those ideas into his final decisions for the organization. His suborinates felt seen and sometimes felt they "wanted" to do extra work instead of "having to." Unspoken irritations and pain points within the organization were articulated and resolved. There was more laughter together. Spirit-driven leadership led to optimal collaboration with his stakeholders.
Try the guideposts of 'spirit' and see what they bring you. And see if they actually make your work more meaningful, enjoyable, and effective. Then spirituality will have gained a foothold in what truly matters.
'Keep up the spirit!' Martin
© 2025: Martin Thoolen
#spirit #synchroniciteit #synchronicity #persoonlijkinspirerendleiderschap #persoonlijkleiderschap #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #personalleadership #leiderschap #spiritueelleiderschap #spiritedleadership #executivecoaching #leiderschap #leiderschapsontwikkeling #teamcoaching #collectiefleiderschap #professionalcoaching #coaching #businesscoaching#psychologyofselves #voicedialogue #egozielspirit #egosoulspirit #awarenessatwork #martinthoolen
