by Susanne Alexander

(English translation of article appearing in Newsweek Japan, September 9, 2001)

Spirituality is coming out of the closet in U.S. workplaces. Officials at companies like Fortune 500 ranking ServiceMaster, a building cleaning and maintenance service, talk openly about their commitment to serving God. Harvard Business School faculty members are studying the role of spirituality at work. Babson College just held its fourth symposium on Spirituality and Business. And titles like "Spirituality in the Workplace" and "What Would Buddha do at Work?" are popping up on bookstore shelves.

What's behind the trend? People are tired of compartmentalizing themselves, says David Miller, president of The Avodah Institute, a non-profit that helps leaders integrate faith and work in ways both large (committing to social responsibility) and small (starting meditation groups). "Downsizing, rapid growth, shortened product cycles and more competitors have brought many people pain," says Miller, "and in moments of pain, people often turn to metaphysics and God. Conversely, at lot of those at the top of the ladder are not sure if they've leaned the ladder against the right building. They are looking for meaning and purpose."

One example: Business Leaders for Excellence, Ethics and Justice, co-founded by Bill Yacullo, president of Lauer, Sbarbaro Associates, a Chicago recruiting firm. The group discusses issues like workforce reductions, business stewardship and balancing work and family; though predominantly Catholic, it welcomes anyone who wants to merge sacred and secular. Yacullo says the group has nourished his spiritual life and helped him become more honest and confident with his clients and job candidates. "If I have a client making an unrealistic demand," he says, "I will tell him he's setting the candidate up for failure, and that he needs to structure it so the person will be a success."