Workplace
spirituality, is a desire to make a difference and to help create a more
meaningful world, especially manifested through organizations work is a
spiritual workplace.
TOMS strong emphasis on community and gift of giving may place them as spiritual workplace. The ‘one for one’ slogan promises to look beyond profit motive. The founder has been trying to constantly integrate the workplace with the larger community. Through such attempt a leader works towards growth of his full potential as a whole person. Organizations like TOMS at this stage are identical to the ideals of its leaders. As at this growing stage they are the main driving force of the organization. The way he leads TOMS can be discussed by bringing in four dimensions of workplace spirituality (Sheep: 2006): i) Self-workplace integration: by not compartmentalizing the personal ideals of an individual and workplace values, integration of both. Resulting in bringing in the whole being. ii) Finding meaning in work: work is not intended to be a place of distress but one of the important ways of experiencing self-fulfillment. Through the research and available materials, we found that the founder and group of employee working on shoe drop or other community development projects, have total alignment with their work and overall development as a person. iii) Transcendence of self: In a literal sense a connection with something greater than traditionally divisive boundaries e.g. hierarchies, demographic categories etc. iv) Growth and development: of one’s inner self. It is like to have positive attitude and relationship with the world. Responsibility beyond work, creating and working on opportunities for establishing a positive society. Thus organizations not only as a source of creating products and profits but as an instrument of individual sense of participation and sense of doing good for surrounding.
Despite their believable stories and positive work attitude, TOMS intention can be challenged on grounds of lacking (somewhat) authenticity in their spiritual endeavor. Most of the criticisms stems from the fact that the organization is a ‘for-profit’ entity. The estimates suggests that they do contribute shoes, but most of the money earned while selling a pair of shoes does not go for the community work. It is apparent that TOMS are relatively new to business, thus there is no work or study to support their claim of bringing in spirituality through their workplace. Therefore, even if their commitment to an authentic practice of workplace spirituality is not proven, by not dwelling into the degree to which they have adopted such ideals, we can still say that they are trying to work towards introducing positive lifestyle for every community.
TOMS strong emphasis on community and gift of giving may place them as spiritual workplace. The ‘one for one’ slogan promises to look beyond profit motive. The founder has been trying to constantly integrate the workplace with the larger community. Through such attempt a leader works towards growth of his full potential as a whole person. Organizations like TOMS at this stage are identical to the ideals of its leaders. As at this growing stage they are the main driving force of the organization. The way he leads TOMS can be discussed by bringing in four dimensions of workplace spirituality (Sheep: 2006): i) Self-workplace integration: by not compartmentalizing the personal ideals of an individual and workplace values, integration of both. Resulting in bringing in the whole being. ii) Finding meaning in work: work is not intended to be a place of distress but one of the important ways of experiencing self-fulfillment. Through the research and available materials, we found that the founder and group of employee working on shoe drop or other community development projects, have total alignment with their work and overall development as a person. iii) Transcendence of self: In a literal sense a connection with something greater than traditionally divisive boundaries e.g. hierarchies, demographic categories etc. iv) Growth and development: of one’s inner self. It is like to have positive attitude and relationship with the world. Responsibility beyond work, creating and working on opportunities for establishing a positive society. Thus organizations not only as a source of creating products and profits but as an instrument of individual sense of participation and sense of doing good for surrounding.
Despite their believable stories and positive work attitude, TOMS intention can be challenged on grounds of lacking (somewhat) authenticity in their spiritual endeavor. Most of the criticisms stems from the fact that the organization is a ‘for-profit’ entity. The estimates suggests that they do contribute shoes, but most of the money earned while selling a pair of shoes does not go for the community work. It is apparent that TOMS are relatively new to business, thus there is no work or study to support their claim of bringing in spirituality through their workplace. Therefore, even if their commitment to an authentic practice of workplace spirituality is not proven, by not dwelling into the degree to which they have adopted such ideals, we can still say that they are trying to work towards introducing positive lifestyle for every community.