Every morning, she went to the office with a heavy heart. Her work was repetitive, her colleagues were impatient, and her manager was self-serving. One day, stuck in heavy traffic, she remembered a phrase her university professor used to say: “Whatever you do, do it with the right intention. Even brushing your teeth.” She thought to herself, “Why do I come to work every day? For the money, that’s true. But is it only for the money?” That day, before entering the building, she sat in her car and set her intention: “My God, I come today to respect people’s rights, to properly safeguard the company’s assets, and to help anyone who needs it. Make this an act of worship for me.” That day was the first day she entered the building with a smile. Not because the workplace had changed. Because she had changed.
The workplace constitutes a large part of our daily lives. The long hours we spend in the office, company, or business are not just a source of income, but also an arena for manifesting our values and beliefs. But the fundamental question is: How can we bring spiritual values into the workplace and make it a space for individual and collective growth?
**Spirituality in the workplace** is defined as: “Finding meaning and purpose in work, feeling a connection to transcendent values, and seeing work as an opportunity for service and growth” [12]. Research shows that the presence of spirituality in the workplace has multiple benefits: employees who find their work meaningful are more motivated and show higher productivity [13]; spirituality, by strengthening internal control, prevents the abuse of position and organizational resources; it increases the sense of belonging and solidarity and reduces destructive conflicts; and it reduces stress and contributes to employees’ mental health.
**Committed entrepreneurship** is an approach where an individual seeks to create a business aimed at creating value for society, not just maximizing profit. The committed entrepreneur offers a product or service that meets a real societal need, respects the rights of employees, customers, and the environment, observes justice in distributing benefits, and sees profit not as an ultimate goal but as a means to continue serving. Such an approach leads to both economic success and deep inner satisfaction.
To create a workplace based on spiritual values, the following practical steps can be taken:
– **Transparency in communication** (avoiding secrecy and behind-the-scenes games),
– **Mutual respect** (appreciating and thanking colleagues, even for small tasks),
– **Responsibility** (admitting mistakes and avoiding blaming others),
– **Service to others** (viewing work as an opportunity to serve, not merely earn a living),
– **Reminding values** (in meetings and gatherings, occasionally review the team’s core values).
A meaningful workplace is where a person is not only financially secure but also grows spiritually.
Core Exercise for this Sub-chapter: “24-Hour Challenge”
For 24 hours, implement one of these two challenges in your workplace:
Option A (Conscious Intention Setting):
Before starting work, write down a specific intention for your workday: “I am going to work today to… (e.g., help a customer, respect people’s rights, provide for my family’s finances, practice patience and kindness).” At the end of the day, write down: “How much did this intention influence my behavior?”
Option B (Hidden Service):
Do a good deed for one of your colleagues without them or anyone else noticing (e.g., bring them coffee, do one of their tasks, leave a thank-you note on their desk). At the end of the day, without telling anyone, write down: “What difference did the feeling of doing this secret deed have compared to my usual, visible actions?”
Sensory Exercise: Standing in the “Servant” Posture in Front of a Mirror
Stand in front of a mirror. Place your arms by your sides, palms facing forward (the servant’s posture). Look into your own eyes for 2 minutes. Then change your posture: place your hands on your hips and push your chest forward (the manager’s posture). Stay like that for another 2 minutes. Now write down: “In which posture did I feel better about myself? Which posture is closer to my ‘real self’? Does the ‘manager’ posture create arrogance in me or self-confidence? Let me recognize the difference between the two.”
For Those in a Hurry:
Three quick actions to make your workplace more meaningful:
1. **Every morning, before starting work, take 1 minute to set your intention.**
2. **When speaking with any colleague, respond with active listening (without looking at your phone).**
3. **Practice one small ethical habit (like greeting with a smile, saying thank you, delivering work on time) for a week and then see what change it has created in your own spirit and those around you.**
For Those Who Want to Go Deeper:
– Spreitzer, G. (2017). *Spirituality in the Workplace* (Persian translation). University of Tehran Press. (Chapters 2 & 4)
– Brown, B. (2018). *Daring Greatly in the Workplace* (Persian translation). Novin Publishing.
– Kolayni, M. Y. (2008). *Al-Kafi* (Persian translation). Vol. 2. Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyyah. (The Book of Faith and Disbelief, Chapter on Truthfulness and Trustworthiness)
Open-Ended Question for this Sub-chapter:
If you could change your job for one year and go to a place that pays half your current salary, but the environment is perfectly aligned with your values (honesty, justice, respect), would you do it? If not, what stops you? Fear of others’ judgment? The need for your current income level? Or your lifestyle habits? Which of these can you change?
