The Namaste Conspiracy

What’s happening
CALL 770-641-9055
1 MONTH $145.00
6 MONTHS $125.00 pr mo.
12 MONTHS $95.00 pr mo.
Spirituality and Ethics in Business
by Corinne McLaughlin
Many people today are finding that there’s more to life—
and business—than profits alone. Money as the single
bottom line is increasingly a thing of the past. Values and
ethics are an urgent concern. A popular buzz today is
about a “triple bottom line,” a commitment to “people,
planet, profit.” Employees and the environment are seen
as important as economics. Some people say it’s all about
bringing your spiritual values into your workplace. A poll
published in USA Today found that 6 out of 10 people say
workplaces would benefit from having a great sense of
spirit in their work environment.
What is spirituality in business There’s a wide range of
important perspectives. Some people say that it’s simply
embodying their personal values of honesty, integrity, and
good quality work. Others say it’s treating their co-workers
and employees in a responsible, caring way. For others,
it’s participating in spiritual study groups or using prayer,
meditation, or intuitive guidance at work. And for some,
it’s making their business socially responsible in how it
impacts the environment, serves the community, or helps
create a better world.
AQ conscious business
•
that the bottom line can be strengthened by embodying
their values. They can “do well by doing good.”
People at all levels in the corporate hierarchy increasingly
want to nourish their spirit and creativity. When employees
are encouraged to express their creativity, the result is a
more fulfilled and sustained workforce.
Happy people work harder and are more likely to stay
at their jobs. Spirituality was cited as the second most
important factor in personal happiness (after health) by
the majority of Americans questioned in a USA Weekend
poll, with 47% saying that spirituality was the most
important element of their happiness.
Karin Kabalah Center
“Kabalah: A Process of Awakening”
A Key to Unlock The Mystery of Our Existence On
All Levels — Physical, Psychological and Spiritual.
New class starts April 8, 2015
Free Introductory Lecture Wednesday
April 1, 7 PM
2531 Briarcliff Rd., Suite #217
Woodlake Office Park, Atlanta, GA 30329
(404) 320-1038
www.karinkabalahcenter.com
Aquarius Press
JUST LAUNCHED
its first book…
Do you have a book
inside of you
Let us make it happen, for you!
Call us at 770-641-9055
www.AQ -atl.com
Key spiritual values embraced in a business context
include integrity, honesty, accountability, quality,
cooperation, service, intuition, trustworthiness, respect,
justice, and service.
Are spirituality and profitability mutually exclusive
Bringing ethics and spiritual values into the workplace
can lead to increased productivity and profitability as
well as employee retention, customer loyalty, and brand
reputation, according to a growing body of research. More
employers are encouraging spirituality as a way to boost
loyalty and enhance morale.
A study reported in MIT’s Sloan Management Review
concluded that, “People are hungry for ways in which
to practice their spirituality in the workplace without
offending their co-workers or causing acrimony.” The
word “spirituality” is used generically and seems to
emphasize how one’s beliefs are applied day to day, rather
than “religion”, which can invoke fears of dogmatism,
exclusivity, and proselytizing in the workplace.
To the surprise of many, this movement is beginning to
transform corporate America from the inside out. Growing
numbers of business people want their spirituality to be
more than just faith and belief--they want it to be practical
and applied. They want to bring their whole selves to work-
-body, mind, and spirit. Many business people are finding
Across the country, people want to bring a greater
sense of meaning and purpose into their work life. They
want their work to reflect their personal mission in life.
Many companies are finding the most effective way to
bring spiritual values into the workplace is to clarify the
company’s vision and mission and to align it with a higher
purpose and deeper commitment to service to both
customers and community.
Why all the sudden interest in spirituality at work
Researchers point to several key factors. Corporate
downsizing and greater demands on remaining workers
has left them too tired and stressed to be creative--at the
same time that globalization of markets requires more
creativity from employees. To survive into the 21st Century,
organizations must offer a greater sense of meaning and
purpose for their workforce. In today’s highly competitive
environment, the best talent seeks out organizations that
reflect their inner values and provide opportunities for
personal development and community service, not just
bigger salaries. Unlike the marketplace economy of 20
years ago, today’s information and services-dominated
economy requires instantaneous decision-making and
building better relationships with customers
and employees.
Corinne McLaughlin, is Executive Director of The Center for Visionary Leadership, which offers public educational programs,
values-based leadership training and consulting services for business, government and non-profit organizations. She wrote
The Practical Visionary, is a co-author of Spiritual Politics and a Fellow of the World Business Academy. She formerly taught at
American University and coordinated a national task force for President Clinton’s Council on Sustainable Development. She can
be reached at The Center for Visionary Leadership, 369 3rd St. #563, San Rafael, CA 94901; 415-472-2540; email: corinnemc@
visionarylead.org;website: www.visionarylead.org.
naMcste
DO YOU HAVE A
CONSCIOUS BUSINESS
Conscious business is about people who are
aware of the impact each of their habits and
actions has on their environment (people
and planet). It is about individuals who live
their lives based on knowing that everything
is interconnected. It is about people who
know who they are, recognize their strengths
and weaknesses, and desire to live and work
with joy, creativity and ease instead of fear,
power, and domination.
Conscious Businesses:
1 - aim to provide positive value in the domains of people, planet, and profit.
2 - seeks to benefit both the external livelihood as well as the internal lives
of its shareholders and employees.
3 - seeks to minimize its impact on the environment.
The Aquarius Conscious Business page is currently looking to highlight
local conscious businesses. If you feel your business meets most of the
criteria described above, please send a write up of your
business to us and we will feature it in upcoming issues.
We are also looking article submissions.
Have your ad on the Conscious Business page. It is important
to let the public know of your efforts to put people and the
planet first in your organization.
www. AQ -atl.com
•
AQUARIUS
•
FEBRUARY 2015 PG 17