spirituality & success in the workplace

spirituality

You are a healer and a commercial property development lawyer, don't the two conflict?

Not at all, spiritual awareness and development (which often results in the "ability to heal") is a key part of humanity and which applies to the whole of life and in every situation. By being who we are and seeking to deal with every person from a point of compassion, truth, respect and honesty leads to trust, motivation, self responsibility and (in the work context) increased productivity and profit. My legal clients (major property development companies) are aware of my healing work and find it fascinating.

What is often overlooked in the business context is that business is about people, not money. Productivity and profit are the goals of business, but these can only be achieved by person to person skills, not accountancy driven targets. Give a person a financial target in isolation and it is meaningless. Give the same person a motivated business environment where they are valued, their work and skills are valued, and watch the productivity grow.

You manage to say the most difficult things in such a nice way

Encompassing compassion and empathy in the workplace does not mean difficult things are not said, or dealt with. The difference is that things are dealt with in a timely manner and what is said is from the point of the heart and where the intention is a constructive dialogue and outcome.

Have you used your healing and spiritual skills at work?

I have been in situations where I have managed to bring completely opposing sides to a common conclusion much to the amazement of the lawyer "on the other side", and I have been in many situations where I have been the sole "partner" in my firm who has believed in a strategy and stuck by my beliefs through thick and thin.

There are times when I have used my healing ability (when asked), such as when a trainee solicitor had sprained her ankle the day before going on holiday and jokingly asked if I could help - I touched her foot momentarily allowing a bolt of healing energy to pass to her. I cannot repeat the expletive expressed by her as the pain simply disappeared. There was also the time when a solicitor crumpled to the ground in agony during a football match with a serious knee injury - I put my hand on his knee and after 5 minutes the pain had gone, and he was able to walk, and drive, to the absolute amazement of all who witnessed this, and his doctor when he saw him the following day.

success

Over one-half of most people’s waking time is spent in the workplace. Those who make a living from their hobby, or in a job that they love are fortunate. There is, I am sure, a sizeable proportion of the working population who work because they need to pay the bills and purely for their wages.

It is a sad fact that there is a lot of unhappiness in the workplace. This can arise for many reasons, but there are issues that can be addressed by the management of any industry to create a more cohesive environment to enable people to fulfil their potential and thereby increase productivity and, yes, even profitability.

There are, in my view, five principles which if embraced by management and practised (note that “paying lip service” and leaving things to others is not “practise”) will raise the nature of energy in any working environment. These are:

Professionalism
the treatment of all persons with respect and dignity. The recognition that everyone plays a critical part in any organisation and everyone is an important member of the team. The avoidance of personal comments that may be hurtful or demeaning. The carrying out of one’s duties to the best of one’s ability in accordance with all professional or trade requirements and in a quality manner. The fulfilment of clients’ expectations. Dealing with all things promptly, in a timely manner, and finalising any discussion or matter started with due diligence.

Knowledge
keeping abreast of developments and changes in the field, and sharing this information with others. The recognition of one’s (and others’) own limitations and strengths. The institution and maintenance of quality control and training and information supply and drawdown. Efficient, timely and proper delegation and supervision.

Compassion
working with others from the basis of care and understanding, and with a common goal. The proper treatment of all irrespective of personal differences whether in terms of ideals, religion, culture or simply not understanding. The uniform application of principles in the workplace to all without favouritism. The making and execution of hard and difficult decisions in a proper and respectful manner, and the communication of such issues in a proper and timely manner.

Nurture
the recognition of people’s strengths and weaknesses and working with these different abilities to bring out the best, from all, as a team. Providing encouragement, and reward, for duties and matters carried out. The communication to individuals of the things expected of them, and the ideals of the business. Open discussion of all matters that are not confidential. Making all feel part of the team, and the bringing of loyalty through such treatment. Discussing career paths and patterns with individuals openly, and honestly.

Vision
the focus by the business on where it wishes to be, and the putting in place of the strategy to get there. Bringing all into the path of the ideals, and generating enthusiasm on a collective level.


Too often in the workplace those that are responsible for management lose sight of what is necessary, and/or important, to the people employed. This can be for a number of reasons including ego, corporate politics, and (most damagingly of all) fear. The effect of this (or a combination of them) can be to focus inwards in a destructive spiral leading to degenerating morale, and the prevalence of negative energy. Being united in fear never brings success, but often leads to the loss of people, work, and health.

The practice of the principles of professionalism, knowledge, compassion, nurture and vision bring real and positive benefits. It brings communication, greater harmony, and most importantly of all positive energy. Businesses that are positive, energetic and enthusiastic and where people work as a team are usually successful. They are also terrific places in which to work, no matter what position is held.

Juliusz Wodzianski