Presented at the GREAT LEADERS . GOOD LEADERS - SiB 2004 Forum
2004 International Spirit at Work Awards
Inspired by the work and vision of Willis Harman (1918-1997)
2004 International Spirit at Work Award Honors Ten Companies
Ten organizations from around the world have been cited as pioneers in a growing trend of highly successful organizations that explicitly nurture spirituality among employees.
"The ten 2004 Award honorees represent over 150,000 employees in multiple industries in offices all over the world," said Academy Member Cindy Wigglesworth, who serves as chairperson of the selection committee for the Award.
The award honors the recipients "for their spiritual policies, programs, or
practices that explicitly nurture spirituality in their organizations. Their leadership strives to engage the gifts of their employees. Their cultures strive for integrity, discipline, creativity, and effective growth. They honor all religious traditions. This dedication to wholeness and health creates a financially sound and dynamic organization."
The ten honorees (in alphabetical order) and a few highlights of their approaches are:
. Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (32,000 employees in 4
countries, HQ Melbourne, Australia www.anz.com). ANZ aspires to be "The bank with a human face."
Their sustained commitment to their Breakout and Cultural Transformation
programs led to a dramatic improvement in employee satisfaction and helped to win back the trust of their key stakeholders.
. Ascension Health (100,000 employees and 67 hospitals, Missouri, USA -
www.ascensionhealth.org) is the largest US Catholic healthcare system. Their document, "Framework for Fostering a Spirituality of Work," is supported with training programs, a Spirituality Symposium, a system Spirituality Scorecard and a seven-step ethical discernment process.
. Centura Health (12,000 employees, Colorado, USA - www.centura.org).
Spirituality is a core value which they live through multiple means, including a leadership training retreat focused on finding each leader's own purpose and passion and discussing topics such as how to create truthful and loving relationships.
. Excel Industries (1,200 employees, Mumbai, India - www.excelind.com)
manufactures biochemicals and agrochemicals. They have a strong focus on social
responsibility and sustainability demonstrated by conscientious attention to concerns such as natural waste management. They see spirituality as "self-improvement and world service" with the Divine lighting the way.
. Hearthstone Homes (110 associates, Nebraska, USA -www.omahanewhomes.com).
Projecting 25% growth this year, this home construction company includes Spirituality and Nurturance as explicit core values, demonstrated through a commitment to extensive associate personal development training. All values support the economic driver of net profit percentage per home closed. A unique business model extends the objective and values to suppliers and subcontractors.
. PeaceHealth (9,500 employees, Washington, USA - www.peacehealth.org) is a healthcare organization that conducts Healing and Compassionate Care retreats for all staff management and physicians. These retreats explore topics such as: the difference between spirituality and religion; how to honor all spiritual traditions; and how to find meaning and purpose in life.
. Phenomenex (350 employees, California, USA as well as UK, Germany, New
Zealand and Australia - www.phenomenex.com) A chemical specialty company, Phenomenex is the global market leader for innovative chromatography products. The mission statement commits the company to the wellbeing of all stakeholders: customers, employees and humanity. Philanthropy and community service are strongly encouraged and have been embedded and practiced at all levels.
. Planters Development Bank (821 employees, Makati City, Philippines - www.plantersbank.com.ph) Dedicated to serving small and medium enterprises, PDB and its senior management regularly acknowledge the role of Divine Providence in the organization's success. The company is committed to serving their customers with their "Whole Heart and Mind." Plantersbank has its own "Plantersbank Family Prayer" and offers onsite religious services and self-discovery
and personal growth seminars and retreats.
. Saint Francis Health Center (1,700 employees, Kansas, USA -
www.stfrancistopeka.org) Each week groups of department directors meet and spend 30 minutes in reflection and 30 minutes in dialogue concerning some aspect of spirituality in their management culture.
. Saint Luke's Episcopal Health System (Texas, USA) www.stlukestexas.com
Repeatedly listed on the Fortune 100 Best Employers List, St. Luke's is an
internationally recognized health care provider. The organization dedicates approximately 50% of the chaplaincy effort to ministering to employees. All major meetings begin with an ecumenical prayer. Their employee Vocations Program is a unique and powerful program that seeks to connect each person with
their deepest sense of purpose.
About the International Spirit at Work Award
The Award was inspired by the late visionary futurist Willis Harman, PhD
(1919-1997), cofounder of the World Business Academy. Four groups "co-own" and "co-organize" the Award:
The Association for Spirit at Work (www.spiritatwork.org); the Spirit in Business Institute (www.spiritinbusiness.org); The World Business Academy (www.worldbusiness.org); and the European
Bahá'í Business Forum (www.ebbf.org).
Write to us at info@spiritinbusiness.org including " Award " in the title of the mail and we will be glad to send you more information and application details for next year's awards - more details can also be found at our partner's Spirit at Work website link
