The time is ripe to expand our understanding of diversity, to include the rich tapestry of religious and spiritual beliefs that shape the lives and values of our teams.
For global leaders, underestimating the ongoing influence and role of religion in society can lead to missed opportunities for greater positive impact in multi-faith societies and significant oversights in understanding how religion and spirituality interact in the complex societal challenges happening today. Ignoring religion and spirituality also shrouds how they can be drivers of transformation and change across several current global crises.
We’re at a juncture where embracing diversity in all its forms is celebrated, yet there remains a notable exception: religion and spirituality in the workplace.
In the workplace, a worker’s religious identity has been largely excluded from the broader diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) movement.
As we advocate for employees to bring their whole selves to work, it’s paradoxical that we often exclude spiritual and religious identities. This oversight is especially striking in an era where fluidity in gender and other diverse identities are not just acknowledged but championed. How can we, as leaders, reconcile this disparity?
This shift is not just about inclusivity; it’s about recognizing the full potential of our workforce and the communities we serve.
In an era marked by profound transformations, leaders across sectors face the daunting task of navigating complexities that no single entity can tackle alone. The World Economic Forum’s report on “Faith in Action” sheds light on an often-overlooked resource in leadership: the power of faith, spirituality, and values.
For leaders, understanding and integrating these dimensions into decision-making processes is not just about inclusivity; it’s a strategic imperative. In a world where a significant majority of the population aligns with spiritual or religious beliefs, these beliefs inevitably shape societal norms, consumer behaviors, and global trends. Recognizing this, the Forum brings together over 100 religious and spiritual leaders from diverse traditions, fostering a dialogue that transcends traditional boundaries of business, government, and civil society.
This collaborative approach, as detailed in the Forum’s report, showcases how faith-based partnerships can offer innovative solutions to environmental, health, and technological challenges. More than just a moral compass, these partnerships represent a pragmatic strategy for leaders seeking sustainable, community-centric solutions in an increasingly polarized world.
For leaders aiming to stay ahead, understanding and leveraging the dynamics of faith and spirituality is not an option, but a necessity. It’s a journey towards more empathetic, inclusive, and effective leadership – where decisions are not just profit-driven but are deeply rooted in the values that shape our world.
Approximately 84% of the world’s population is affiliated with a religion. This includes major world religions like Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and others. WEFs “Faith in Action” initiative is a call to action for leaders globally.
It’s an invitation to explore, embrace, understand, and harness the transformative power of faith and spirituality in addressing the pressing challenges of our time.
Businesses can benefit from collaborating with faith-based organizations by aligning their operations with shared ethical concerns and values. This collaboration fosters a sense of purpose beyond profit, allowing them to contribute to societal challenges and demonstrate corporate social responsibility.
“Religious leaders, ethicists, and theologians have essential roles to play…the religions that they serve place the inherent dignity of the human being, as something given by God, at the heart of their concepts of social relations and development. Their ethical approaches are not utilitarian but absolute: we seek human flourishing because we are commanded to by our creator.”
Sheikh Abdullah Bin Bayyah, Secretary-General, Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies