A key element of leadership is the ability to build trust. However, according to his DDI, a global human resources consulting firm, only 46 percent of employees trust their direct managers to do the right thing. Even worse, only 32 percent say they trust their organization’s senior leaders.
Building trust and doing the right thing are related to questions of morality and ethics and whether leaders have a moral compass to guide their decisions and actions. Until recently, the business world has prevented individuals from expressing their personal values, especially religious beliefs.
In this context, we are interested in the role of spiritual values, integrity and trustworthiness in the realm of business. By delving into the experiences of three leaders who successfully integrated these elements into their unique leadership styles, she seeks to uncover insights to help others do the same.
Subhanu: Bridging the world
Born in India to a family of musicians and dancers, Subhanu Although he moved to England at the age of three, he remained connected to his cultural traditions. He immersed himself early in Sufi poetry and philosophy, deepening his spiritual connection.
Although Subhanu’s spiritual and artistic practices initially made him feel like an outsider, he eventually embraced his uniqueness. Despite the pressures of his engineering, he pursued his love of languages in parallel.
When friends at Oxford University asked him about Hinduism, he would cheerfully reply, “Only God, please hurt no one.” As he became more involved in the Hare Krishna movement, he felt he had to learn more about Sanskrit. My graduation gift to him was a year of Sanskrit study.
Subhanu’s career at Citibank initially seemed at odds with his desire to teach Sanskrit and study the Vedas. However, a chance encounter with a Vedic scholar opened a door for him. Despite his busy schedule, he devoted his evenings to intensive study.
While pursuing his MBA in France, Subhanu simultaneously continued his spiritual studies. During a trip to India, he was formally initiated into cultural heritage. Given the tradition’s tenets of imparting knowledge and serving others, he found it difficult to incorporate ancient teachings into his busy modern life.
Mr. Subhanu remained committed to contributing and sharing knowledge while working in various roles at PepsiCo, in the strategic consulting field, and at a major pharmaceutical company. He engages with mindfulness practitioners and purpose seekers to write and implement rituals using a holistic approach.
Initially, Subhanu kept his spiritual and intellectual sides separate. It took the challenge of a leadership coach to inspire him to live a more authentic life. Now leading a private equity firm, he draws inspiration from Gandhi’s philosophy of service to others and emphasizes leadership “with purpose.” This ethos is a constant in shaping his approach to building organizations.
Since his moment of liberation with his coach, Subhanu has been able to practice his spiritual practices more freely. During his tenure at the Gates Foundation, he ran mindfulness sessions and yoga classes. He also encouraged people to get great experiences instead of looking for a stepping stone.
What’s next for Subhanu? “At some point you’re going to see more of me in the robe…It’s always with me,” he said. His dedication surprised some, but he emphasized that inner qualities trump outward appearance.
Whether in family or business, Subhanu fosters an environment where everyone can contribute in their own unique way. Given this enduring commitment to meaningful connections and positive outcomes, the idea of retirement becomes unappealing.
Derek: Balancing faith and business.
derekBrought up in Scotland, he had a 24-year career with Standard Life, starting out as an ‘undersecretary’ at the age of 17. He was influenced by his Christian upbringing and his experiences in the Boys’ Brigade and valued his service and leadership.
He eventually rose through the ranks to hold a number of senior and executive leadership roles. However, I began to feel a difference in his values and decided to leave him after I went public in 2006. Thanks to his faith, he was able to act confidently, believing that new opportunities will appear.
At the urging of a former colleague, Derek used the skills he gained while working at Standard Life to go out on his own as a coach and facilitator. After praying and seeking advice from his family, church leaders, and trusted friends, he spent several years in a leadership advisory role, serving prestigious clients.
Despite his success and becoming a partner in Pivot Leadership, he began to question whether he was fulfilling the plan he believed God had for him. Then, in late 2014, two important events happened that determined Derek’s path. That’s when his brother-in-law’s brain tumor worsened and he spoke openly with his daughters about how he spent his time.
Deciding that he needed to be more present at home, Derek experienced a series of fortuitous events that he calls “God events.” A job opportunity presented itself at his church, and after much prayer, he accepted the role of executive director overseeing a team of 20 people and 700 volunteers.
Despite the material sacrifices that come with this role, Derek and his wife believed it was part of God’s plan. Over a period of six years his position was expanded to include preaching, which allowed him to utilize his previous skills and gave him a deep sense of harmony.
As the senior pastor retired, Derek realized that his role was coming to an end. He used his leadership development expertise to help churches select and prepare new senior pastors. Encouraged by his former colleagues, Derek returned to the leadership advisor. He currently balances church consulting and leadership with spending intentional time with his faith, family, and friends – all the things that really matter to him.
Derek advises: Stay true to your personal beliefs, have the courage to stand up for your values, and serve with purpose and an open heart. “Never impose your faith on others, but never ignore it under any circumstances,” he says.
Derek also suggests finding like-minded colleagues. He emphasizes “kindness” as a core value, distinguishing it from mere kindness, which can develop and challenge the individual in any situation.
Roxy: Filling the gap between hearts
A Polish man who immigrated to the United States at the age of 10. Roxy Although she was raised Catholic, her spiritual journey was not fueled by religion. She traveled the world and, interested in people, initially pursued her design of interiors, but she turned to hospitality management and her event planning. Despite her success, she felt unfulfilled and she took her vacation several years later to travel and free “her caged soul.”
Upon her return, Roxy joined the Wharton School, where she coordinated global executive education programs for top-level clients. While this role suited her interest in helping people grow, she pursued her master’s degree in organizational dynamics to further her own learning.
Roxy began to feel a connection between hearts and minds. Feeling constrained in her career growth at Wharton and feeling her own soul fading, she underwent a fundamental change to better utilize her talents. Did. She has explored deeper healing and found happiness through extensive travel and various personal growth methods that go beyond basic yoga, meditation, and affirmation practices.
Several years ago, Roxy engaged in deep shadow work. She learned to stop relying on things that no longer served her, such as her degrees and accolades. She has shifted her focus to helping individuals utilize their talents and discover what they want in life.
Roxy is constantly traveling to spiritual places and learning new approaches. She currently helps clients free themselves from conditioned beliefs and unbalanced egos and connect with their own spirituality.
Roxy’s approach goes beyond general health and wellness efforts. Based on a holistic perspective that integrates people, planet, passion, and purpose, she envisions a world where connections come before profits.
Roxy shows us that inner work is important for healing and depth. She believes self-awareness and connection should be taught in early education programs. “If we are not guided toward ourselves, how can we come to a deeper awareness of who we really are?” We are working towards a world where people care about “why” they do what they do.
Integrate spirituality and embrace a higher leadership purpose at work
These stories show that tuning into a higher purpose can lead to extraordinary accomplishments and increased fulfillment. Research by the academic community, such as Nadav’s, suggests that serving others: happiness and feel a greater meaning in life. Regardless of your religious beliefs, understanding how spirituality influences leadership and organizational values can: valuable insight.
Bringing spirituality into work remains uncommon in many organizations. But leaders like Subhanu, Derek and Roxy are showing that it can be done. Encouraging people to bring their authentic selves to work fosters integrity and creates an inclusive environment that brings out the best in everyone.
Read the extended version of this article here.
