The Spirited Business [Illustrated] [Paperback]

"There is a message and tone of this book that will be extremely effective for managers." -- Anita Roddick OBE 20020401

"A truly trail-blazing book, full of excellent advice for making work a better place for all of us."

"Superb research and insightful writing... An inspired, practical and compelling addition to the literature about spirit in business."

"...shows that companies who encourage soul-driven work practices produce the ultimate social benefits of profitable growth and employable people."

"Refreshing to read a book that recognises spirituality as something shared by all faith groups and a multi-cultural phenomenon."

"There is a message and tone of this book that will be extremely effective for managers."

This book gives you: inside stories of a range of soul-friendly companies; insight into the secrets of their success; practical, everyday examples of spirit at work in today's business world; ideas on how to translate this into your own workplace; strategies and tools to create a soul-friendly environment; and, 12 principles and a tried and tested model to guide you a 21 -day programme to transform your workplace and improve the bottom line through a soul-centered approach. The "Spirited Business" shows you how to create a working environment where the human spirit, and therefore the business, can thrive.

Many workplaces destroy people; they drain them of hope, deaden enthusiasm, sap energy and leave people disheartened, quietly defeated and in dull despair. It does not need to be like this.

I have found that there are a growing number of highly successful businesses that are passionately committed to people, wisdom and service. And what is exciting to me is that some are exceptionally high-performing companies whose outstanding commercial success grows out of their commitment to values and the human spirit. They are a quantum leap ahead of other bodies and are tapping into something that makes them different. They are able to ride the tides of overwhelming change while the old-style companies are crushed by them.

The Spirited Business takes you inside these soul-friendly companies, including successful household names like Microsoft UK and Bayer UK and smaller, flourishing firms like Happy Computers and Peach Personnel. Managing directors, Financial Directors, receptionists, the newest recruits and others tell of how it all works in practise. Their stories offer positive ways of addressing many of the major concerns of burnout, high staff turnover, low performance, cynicism, work/life imbalance and resistance to change. These stories demonstrate that spirituality in the workplace is about everyday practise and common sense, and that it offers radical and pioneering ways forward. I believe that these companies are those of the future and that your workplace can be one of them.

This book involves spirituality but it is not about religion, rather a robust spirituality relevant to those of all faiths as well as those of no faith. This book is practical and in addition to presenting working examples of soul-friendly companies it offers the tools and strategies to transform your workplace and create an environment where both business and the human spirit can thrive.

I have written this book for employees who are disheartened, for managers who are concerned about performance but know that they cannot push any harder, for leaders who want to find ways of carrying their workforce forward with vision, and for all those who are weary and wish there was a better way. And I have written it for the many people who want more from work than stress, strain and mediocrity.

Georgeanne Lamont has worked on spiritual awareness in organisations since 1989 and has over eighteen years experience of training and project leadership. She runs Values and Visions Training, introducing people to new ideas and approaches which can help make their organisations a more satisfying place in which to work.