A Spiritual Audit of Corporate America: A Hard Look at Spirituality, Religion, and Values in the Workplace

"A Spiritual Audit of Corporate America" is a book that should be read by all members of the corporate world (not only in the US), who want to learn more about the various models in existence about workplace spirituality. I have used this book as a foundation for my doctoral dissertation on workplace spirituality. "A Spiritual Audit" has also been an important foundation for the book that resulted from this dissertation process and the additional research I executed on the topic. The book I am referring to is titled, "Spirituality in the Workplace: What it is; Why it Matters; How to Make it Work for You" (co-authored with Dr. Satinder Dhiman and Dr. Richard King). I can admit without reservation that Ian Mitroff's work has been very important in our perspectives toward workplace spirituality, and that it has served as an encouragement in the fact that spirituality and religion are two entirely different phenomena.

Ian I. Mitroff and Elizabeth Denton proffer that many of the problems faced by business and society are the result of a spiritual impoverishment that they discovered in their research on organizations. The authors bring an authoritative, scholarly tone to their material, yet they write conversationally and make no effort to hide their opinions. While indicting corporate America for its neglect of the spiritual, Mitroff and Denton also cite examples of businesses with soul that encourage the expression of spirit. We [...] recommend this book to all readers interested in the creation of a more spiritually fulfilling workplace.

I applaud Mitroff, the organizational models are right on the mark. Interested readers should also examine my research study entitled "Spiritual Well-Being of Workers: Exploring the Influences of Spirituality in Everyday Work Activities" completed in 1996 at the University of Texas under Dr. Oscar Mink as well as Krista Kurth's doctoral research at George Washington University in 1994 entitled "An Exploration of the Expression and Perceived Impact of Selfless Service in For-Profit Organizations" (I believe under Dr. Peter Vaill or Dr. Jerry Harvey). Krista and I predate Mitroff by a few years and marked groundbreaking research trailheads for students around the country who are continuing to explore this neglected topic. It looks as though the faddish phase of this topical area is waning and serious academic scrutiny is moving to the fore. Great!

There are many good dimensions of this book. In the early chapters, authors Mitroff and Denton examine the estrangement of spirituality and the workplace in Corporate America. These chapters may not contain a lot of new data but they do highlight a basically immature approach to spirituality in many workplaces. It seems that whatever we have experienced as growth and developement in workplace dynamics does not include the essential element of spiritual expression and enrichment. The authors do a good job of highlighting this gap and it's negative consequences.These early chapters set the stage for the heart of the book. Based upon their own research, the authors identify five existing organizational models that accommodate workplace spirituality to varying degrees. Each model is explained and critiqued. In the interest of offering solutions as well as defining problems, the authors offer a "Best Practice" model that borrows from all five existing models. Still not perfect, this model is offered as a starting point for organizations interested in becoming more spiritual.Some readers will take legitamte exception to the method used in this book. Can spirituality be reduced to an organizational model? Is any model of value without the proper mind set of those in positions of leadership? Is spirituality all that complex that it requires such organization (aren't we spiritual in other aspects of our lives without models)?Personally, I give the authors credit for their efforts. They seem well aware of the risks of their approach. Their solution may not be the ultimate answer but it could be a piece of the pie. The book is well worth reading.As the book concludes, the authors express their belief that the new millennium holds a new experience, indeed a new demand for greater expression of spirituality in the workplace. Amen to that!

Corporate America has got religion. So it would seem with all the business books and product advertisements that appeal to the soul. Spirituality seems to have become the latest business strategy.This new release from Jossey-Bass explores spirituality, religion, and values in the workplace. The authors share the results of surveys and interviews they conducted with over two hundred organizational leaders. What emerged from the research are five models of organizational spirituality. Mitroff and Denton share the strengths and limitations of each model. The last chapter of the book blends the best from each model to propose a best-practice model for integrating soul into an organization.Why be concerned about your organization's spirituality? According to Mitroff and Denton, the future success of your business depends upon it. They contend that spirituality may well be the ultimate competitive advantage and the management of spirituality is one of the most fundamental tasks of management.Mitroff and Denton strive to bring a scientific approach to the study of spirituality in organizations. This is no airy New Age vision or dogmatic diatribe. However, the authors are passionate about the need to create soul-nurturing organizations. The book is worth reading. When you finish you, too, may see the light. Say, Amen!