Science Confirms How to Connect to Something Greater at Work |
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Connecting to something greater is a powerful but underutilized access point to fulfillment.
Recent research findings show that spiritual vitality is a measurable psychological resource.
Contribution is the means by which people get the deepest levels of fulfillment from their work.
Connecting to something greater starts with cultivating spiritual vitality and focusing on contribution.
Spirituality in the workplace is still an off-limit topic. The concept tends to cross an invisible line of what’s not acceptable to discuss at work. The problem is not spirituality itself. The problem is that we have an incomplete view of spirituality.
As a positive organizational psychologist and coach to public company CEOs, I’ve found that bringing the concept of spirituality into the workplace takes a great deal of explanation. Some don’t believe spirituality applies to them or to the workplace because they don’t believe in religion or in something unknown by science.
Yet, overall, we live in a time when people crave depth and a connection to something greater than themselves in work and in life.
The growing sense of disconnection and burnout workers today are experiencing stems from a deeper crisis: the loss of fulfillment. The key to being fulfilled at work is rebuilding connection to self, others, and something greater. Connecting to something greater at work is an important though underutilized access point to workplace fulfillment.
Two Evidence-Based Ways to Understand Connecting to Something Greater at Work
Through our recent research with Daniel Martin and Dr. Stewart Donaldson, published in the International Journal of Wellbeing, we introduce the Worker Vitality Scale (WVS). It proves to be a robust, scientific way to measure vitality, utilizing a four-factor model across physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual dimensions.
Vitality means positive aliveness. It’s at the opposite end of the spectrum from burnout.
Spiritual vitality has been an under-researched and under-served area. Our findings show it is a measurable psychological resource. Spiritual vitality means having the energy to connect to your best self and/or something greater than yourself. It is broader than religion, belief structures, or spirituality, though that’s how some people connect.
In a work context, spiritual vitality reflects a sense of meaning, coherence, and connection to contribution.
Through recent research, we discovered that contribution is the means by which people get the deepest levels of fulfillment from their work. Contribution encompasses impact, core values, meaning and mattering, and shared vision. It reflects how people’s beliefs and actions align with the organization’s core values, purpose, impact, and sense of meaning and mattering to their team and organization.
Contribution is one of five critical elements essential for creating high-performing team and thriving organizational cultures. We have organized the five elements into a five-part model called the 5 C's that is scientifically validated and based on extensive research and experience working with executive teams. In addition to Contribution, the elements include Connection, Candid Communication, Clarity, and Collaboration.
The Difference Between Low- and High-Contribution Environments
When Contribution is low, employees and teams don’t feel like their work is meaningful or recognized. They don’t have an understanding of how their contributions align with the bigger picture. They tend to be disconnected from the company and the impact of their work.
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Alternatively, Contribution, when optimized, connects people to something greater than themselves and makes them feel that what they do everyday matters. People understand their impact and believe that they create impact through their work. They feel that what they do matters to their team and to the organization and that they’re acknowledged for it.
How to Connect to Something Greater
The good news is that each of us can connect to something greater than ourselves. We all connect differently; it’s an individual experience.
Imagine what gives you spiritual vitality.
In our fast-paced, highly technologically connected world, it’s common to feel disconnected from ourselves and something greater than ourselves. Notice when you feel energized or deeply connected. Such moments provide clues to help you connect with your sense of purpose and presence.
Reflection: Ask yourself what connects you either to your best self and/or something greater than yourself.
Brainstorm a list of things that you are currently doing, want to explore, or used to do.
Spiritual vitality extends over many aspects of our lives. Consider how it shows up in every facet of your life.
Once you have your list, ask yourself: What’s one small step I can take in this direction?
To fully assess your vitality across all four dimensions— physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual—check out the evidence-based Vital Leadership Assessment.
Connect to the impact of your work.
Far too often, people feel removed from the impact of their work, which can lead to a lack of motivation and sense of disconnection from the company. A crucial role for leaders is to help people consistently connect their own and their team’s efforts to the ultimate customer or stakeholder.
Placing the customer at the center of every conversation, decision, and action can help employees shift their mindsets to view their work through an impact lens. This can be done in multiple ways, such as finding opportunities to bring customers in for discussions, panels, and focus groups or encouraging employees who aren’t typically in the field to branch out.
Encourage recognition and appreciation.
People want to know they matter at work. We all have a fundamental need to be seen, heard, and acknowledged. Focusing on meaning and mattering at work helps people thrive mentally, physically, and emotionally. One of the most powerful ways to do so is to focus on both recognition and appreciation.
Recognition is tied to someone’s performance or results. It is focused on their accomplishments.
Appreciation is more focused on the person for who they are and their efforts, qualities, or contributions, regardless of specific outcomes. It emphasizes gratitude for the person’s being rather than their doing.
Finding a balance between recognition and appreciation can go a long way toward helping employees feel fully acknowledged.
All of us have the capacity to connect to something greater than ourselves at work. Yet, it’s the most underutilized access points to fulfillment. When we intentionally cultivate spiritual vitality and contribution, we expand our sense of meaning, elevate our impact, and experience deeper sense of fulfillment.
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