Dear Friends,
At our last POINT Interfaith Team Meeting, Jeff Blanton, founder and President of the Blanton Group, spoke to us about how he is dedicated to guiding business professionals to find the meaning of work by aligning their personal purpose, calling and passion to what they do. We had a thought provoking discussion on bringing faith, spirituality and values into the work place, and business environment.
This idea reminded me of when I began a “prayer time” at my last school before retirement. I know religion in schools is frowned upon and kept separate unless it is a parochial school. I was fortunate to get permission from the principle to have it once a week for the teachers early in the morning, well before school began. It was a beautiful experience for the few of us who met consistently. We were of different faiths and yet we prayed for the well being of each other and the school, teachers and parents. I have not heard of any other teacher doing this, and hopefully there are others implementing an inclusive prayer time for teachers in other schools around the nation and globe.
My question is, why can’t we bring in the idea of authentically pursuing company goals with core values guiding the way in the business world!? All faith traditions have core values of love, peace, compassion, kindness, integrity, and ethics. Jeff said the companies who have core values as part of their mission are successful and prosperous. I would think meetings and business proposals could be based on the good of all parties, rather than making one the winner and the other the loser. When it is a WIN WIN, everyone is happier, works harder and better.
What job/occupation do you have? How are you bringing your core faith values into the decision making process wherever you work and whatever you do?
Government
Real Estate
Businesses local and national
Profit/ Non-Profit
Stores
Restaurants
Medical offices/hospitals
Schools
Police, Fire
and more…..
Questions:
How are you lifting up, encouraging, respecting each other in your work place?
Are you honoring the different faiths knowing some people will need time off for their holy days?
Are you aware and sensitive to food preferences/needs whether they are religious, vegan or vegetarian?
Are you promoting positive talk with people and stepping in to stop implicit racist/bias talk?
How are you showing you care for the PERSON who works for you?
He/she is not just a place holder in a chair in an open office area. This is a person with a life outside the office, with family, friends, a gender preference, a faith community, and sacred traditions.
Are you honoring all people regardless of faith, gender, race or culture?
And again, how are you bringing your personal core values to work and allowing them to guide your words and way each day?
Roy Disney said,
“It is not hard to make decisions once you know what your values are.”
Practicing Our Values,
Abigail and Steve
