Where does the conversation about spirituality fit into the workplace? Since 86% of US adults identify as being spiritual, we don’t need to shy away from the conversation. In fact, since the definition of spirituality encompasses a wide array of current wellbeing practices, chances are you may already be addressing it.

Podcast guest, Jessica Grossmeier, is a leading voice in workplace well-being, having dedicated her career to identifying evidence-based strategies that promote a thriving workforce. Jessica has published more than 80 articles in professional journals and is the author of Reimagining Workplace Well-being: Fostering a Culture of Purpose, Connection, and Transcendence. 

In this second episode with Jessica, she explains the difference and overlap between spirituality and religion; and explains what workplace spirituality means. Jessica speaks to the research that supports addressing spirituality both personally and in the workplace. She demystifies how to address spirituality in the workplace without alarming your leadership and offers ideas on how to get started.

Episode Highlights:

• Spirituality and religion are related and highly overlapping concepts, but they don’t mean the exact same thing. Religion focuses on how human beings think about, express, or act upon their beliefs about their relationship with the divine. Spirituality is the synergy of meaning, purpose, beliefs, and values as well as a sense of community and belonging.
• The Fetzer Institute Survey in 2020 found that 86% of US adults consider themselves to be spiritual to some extent, 70% both spiritual and religious, and 16% spiritual but not religious.
• There is no single consensus definition for workplace spirituality (despite 30 years of research) but it often includes these three elements – connection to meaning and purpose, connection and belonging to one’s work, and connection to something bigger than self (transcendence).
• People who report higher levels of spirituality are healthier, more likely to get preventive exams, and tend to live healthier and longer lives. 
• Research shows a positive relationship between workplace spirituality and organizational commitment, job satisfaction, employee productivity and performance.
• The reason to invest in a holistic approach to wellbeing, including spirituality, is because you understand the inherent value and significance of a people centered approach.
• Look at what you’re already doing around spiritual wellbeing. Mindfulness, nature, purpose/meaning, and gratitude all fit into the category of spirituality.
• Workplace rituals are small to grand gestures to honor and recognize accomplishments, celebrations and loss.

Links Mentioned:

Last week’s episode with Jessica

Resilience for Self-Leadership

https://jessicagrossmeier.com/

Reimagining Workplace Well-Being: Fostering a Culture of Purpose, Connection, and Transcendence

Full Bio:

Jessica Grossmeier, PhD, MPH is the author of Reimagining Workplace Well-being: Fostering a Culture of Purpose, Connection, and Transcendence and is a leading voice in workplace well-being, having dedicated her career to identifying evidence-based strategies that promote a thriving workforce. This includes conducting collaborative research, advising, writing, and speaking on topics related to workplace well-being best practices, measurement and evaluation, strategic planning, and value demonstration. She is a frequent speaker at national conferences and serves on several advisory boards devoted to helping employers create a workplace culture that fosters employee well-being.