Spiritually or politically driven behavior: differences in the workplace

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine the difference between workplace spirituality and office politics on basis of the fact that outwardly, these phenomena can look confusingly alike.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was conducted in a single question format, and treated as a short case study, with 40 participants, who all responded in writing during a workshop.

Findings

The study brought forth the insight that, while workplace spirituality and office politics may initially look alike, they derive from entirely different origins, utilize different strategies, and lead to different outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

The participants in this study were all based in Los Angeles, and well aware of the definitions of the two phenomena. The study might deliver more or different results in other environments.

Practical implications

The action methods used in either of the two phenomena should provide management proper insight into the one that is predominantly dealt with in their workplace, and by whom.

Originality/value

This study may be helpful to those who mistake political maneuvers for spiritual behavior vice versa. While it requires some deeper examination before drawing a conclusion, the symptoms are apparent. Workforce members and corporations as a whole may benefit from the findings of this paper, which confirm that political motives may lead to faster outcomes, but not to lasting performance excellence, as they will ultimately become transparent and lead to negative long‐term outcomes. Spiritual motives, on the other hand, will lead to the exact opposite: slower, but lasting progress and well‐being for the organization and its stakeholders.

Citation

Marques, J.F. (2010), "Spiritually or politically driven behavior: differences in the workplace", Development and Learning in Organizations, Vol. 24 No. 6, pp. 12-16. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777281011084702