Shrinking the Camel

BJM: In the columns you write for InsideWork, I’ve noticed you use these cards which help people calibrate their spiritual state. That sounds kind of weird. And I mean that in the kindest possible sense of the word…

 Dr. Stephen Payne: Spirituality in the workplace can be a broad and daunting topic. In my coaching I discovered that business leaders understand the concept of tapping-in to the power of God, but they lack effectiveness in translating that into leading their organization better because they can’t quite see how to move forward. The spiritual calibration cards help leaders reflect on their own inner state in any moment or on any topic. I think of each card as a signpost that helps me move forward in the God direction.

Once again, you’re using words that I am afraid will send many folks in business and management heading for the hills. When you say things like, “My cards help leaders reflect on their inner state,” you’re giving us a lot of credit, that we’re not just a bunch of robotic, shallow, lug-heads driven only by the dollar. Do you expect people in business to actually be aware of their inner spiritual state? To know what that means?

 Not in those words, maybe. But all successful leaders understand the power of developing a greater level of self-awareness. Last week in London I did a development session for a group of leaders where I started by saying that I call my spiritual state “My inner equilibrium.” I talked a little about the clear correlation between my equilibrium and my leadership performance. Then I asked them what they called their spiritual state. I was shocked at the ease with which they produced names: self-confidence, contentment, spirit, success-focus-see how they are all amazing qualities of the Holy Spirit. It ain’t what you call it, it’s what you bloody do with it.

So if I go to your Princeton seminar, will you be instructing us like a stuffy Princeton professor or what?

 Careful what you say about Princeton professors, Brad. The truth is I’m just as much a practitioner of these ideas as anyone who attends. It’s a workshop with groups of business leaders sharing their approaches. One of the most important components of the workshop is the sense of community that will be formed as we each share our experiences of God’s Spirit in our own work situations. The participants will learn from each other as much as from my material.

That’s fantastic-I could use more friends… But what about after the workshop is over? Is it like church, where we all go back to work and forget the whole thing as soon as the crap hits the fan?

This is where working with businesspeople is great. They believe in accountability. This seminar has a rather surprising finish on this topic.Which is…

Don’t leave me hanging Doc.

What? You want me to reveal my secrets to the man who refers to me as “Monty Python with a Briefcase”? Would you like to buy a dead parrot?

I called you that because you really do sound like the Python guys. I’ll have you know that I used to memorize those Monty Python skits when I was in high school. Listen to this (imitation of Michael Palin from Monty Python): “NNNNNNNOOOOOOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition! Our chief weapon is: surprise…surprise and fear…fear and surprise…. Our two weapons are fear and surprise…and ruthless efficiency….our three weapons are…”

Good grief… Are we about finished here?

It would seem that we are, yes. What’s the name of the seminar?

 It’s called the Leadership and Spirituality Workshop.

And where is it?

 Princeton; on May 31 – June 1.

And what’s it called?

 I have to go now Brad.

(In a fake British accent) Brilliant! God save the Queen! Fish and Chips for all my mates!

Bradley J. Moore recently conducted an interview with Leadership Coach Dr. Stephen Payne to discuss his upcoming workshop,  “Leadership and Spirituality: Transforming the Workplace.” This workshop is designed specifically for business leaders and is taking place at Princeton Theological Seminary on May 31- June 1. 

Bradley J. Moore: OK, full disclosure Dr. Payne: I’ve been a client in your leadership coaching practice since December, 2007…so anything I say can and will be used against you…

 Stephen Payne: That seems inevitable, Brad.

BJM: I think our readers should know that you speak with a very sophisticated British accent. So everything you say sounds very commanding and authoritative to us trashy Americans. This must come in very handy with your leadership coaching business. Bloody well, then. Tell us in 30 seconds where you’re from, and what brought you here to the US of A?

SP: British accent: yes. Sophisticated: no. I’m an engineer from the formerly mighty industrial city of Birmingham, UK. We’re called Brummies. I’m a rugby, squash, and cricket- playing Brummie with formal training as a soccer hooligan-including the beer bottles. I came to the US in 1979 with a British technology company where I rose through the ranks to become CEO. 15 years ago they fired me. That event literally brought me to my knees. When I blamed God and yelled at Him for not revealing my pathway, I heard a Brummie voice clearly in my head: “Don’t you think it would be a good idea to do something for someone else sometimes?” Wham. My life started moving from taking-all to giving-all. That simple principle is now the core of my entire life, including my leadership coaching business where I have fun serving executive smart-asses like you.

From ‘taking all to giving all.” What a great story. You’re doing a seminar at Princeton Seminary for business leaders to talk about their spiritual lives. One question: Are you out of your mind? People in business generally don’t have a clue about how their spiritual lives mix with their daily work. Who would come to such a thing?

You’re right, people do compartmentalize their work and spiritual lives. It’s a tragedy when you think of how much they’re missing. Let me explain something: Even a cynic like you would agree that we serve an almighty, omnipresent God, right?

Yeah, Sure. I definitely believe that.

A God with an amazing, infinite power of intelligence that permeates the livingness of all things for their greater good, right?

Absolutely.

So that means God is already in the workplace…

OK, hold up. God is already in the workplace… Like, sitting there, right in my office? I don’t think most of us in business think about that when we check in each morning. But when you put it that way, it’s hard to argue with.

The real issue is not, Is God in the workplace? The real issue is revealing God for the greatest good of all concerned. And this is not a zero-sum game. Where God is present, there’s an infinite supply for all of us.

Now you’re messing with our standard theories of economics. It may be true that there is an infinite supply of God, but it’s counter-intuitive to how most business people operate, which is based more on scarcity of demand, a finite market share-those limiting kinds of terms and phrases.

The question is just how to reveal God. Given the fact that we have all been conditioned to think the opposite, it’s not surprising that you and so many others are cynical. That doesn’t deter me. Being spiritual at work is about how you welcome and tap-in to God’s power for the benefit of yourself and your organization-moment by moment, day by day, among all the cut and thrust of the business world. That’s what the seminar at Princeton is all about: How business leaders like you can tap into Christ to transform organizations for the better. Just pick up any newspaper and you can see the enormous need.

That’s very true. But is this some kind of sneaky sales pitch for Dr. Payne’s All-Purpose Philosophy and Soothing Salve?

Absolutely not. If there’s one thing coaching you has taught me Brad, it’s that there is no single answer. We must each integrate our faith into our leadership journey in our own unique way, guided by God. All I can do is introduce you to some frameworks for thinking that have worked for others such as you.

It definitely gives me a better perspective in thinking through the work I do, why I do what I do, and the impact I am having. I think that’s what people in business don’t have, or have never been exposed to, is this idea of a sensible framework that can help us integrate our spiritual lives into our business and leadership lives. You’re right-God is there at our jobs anyway, and we’re there; so why not make the connection?

Exactly. Don’t be so laid back about it. Make the connection with an infinitely powerful loving force that is there to support you? You bet!

To be continued…

A few weeks ago I mentioned that I had been invited to speak at an event at Princeton Theological Seminary discussing the relationship between spirituality and business leadership. The dates have been changed. It is now scheduled for May 31 – June 1. Here is an updated post on that event. Hope to see you there!

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What does your spiritual life have to do with your on-the-job leadership effectiveness? According to the Princeton Theological Seminary, the answer is, well, everything.

On May 31 and June 1, Princeton Theological Seminary will hold a first-time seminar event addressing the dynamics of spirituality and leadership in the workplace. It is called “Leadership and Spirituality: Transforming the Workplace,” and it is designed to be an interactive seminar that brings business leaders together with clergy to collaborate on the impact and influence that their spiritual life brings to their jobs as leaders.

The premise of this event is rather unusual. It says that our daily work is God’s calling – an empowering opportunity for us to learn more on our journey of knowing and showing greater love. I can hear it now, the cognitive dissonance ringing in the heads of executives around the world: “What? My job is part of God’s calling? To show love?”  This preposterous perspective may cause some to dismiss the whole thing outright. On the other hand, it may cause others to start thinking very differently about the very purpose of their work, and the potential impact they can have for good. Remember, your job is the place where you will spend the vast majority of your time and attention during the prime of your life. Why shouldn’t God have something to do with it? If one believes that God’s Spirit is all-knowing and ever-present, then, well, isn’t He there at your job anyway?  In that case, the real issue becomes tapping into God’s Spirit while we are there, and revealing it for the highest and greatest good that for all concerned in achieving our organization’s purpose.

That sounds nice, however, what you are more likely to hear from managers today are complaints that the pressures from the workplace are pulling them in precisely the opposite direction – away from a positive, loving, and fulfilling expression of God’s greater good. Many say that they feel their work life is a downward spiral draining them of faith, self-confidence, trust and creativity. Princeton Theological Seminary decided it’s about time clergy and laity come together to figure out how to reverse this trend.

The timing of this event is critical, as evidenced by the many stories dominating today’s headlines of arrogance, greed and moral apathy connected to CEO behavior, as well as the economic uncertainty that shrouds our collective outlook on business. “Our clergy must be able to understand and support the leaders in our secular business communities today more than ever.” says Reverend Raymond Bromwell, Director of Princeton Theological Seminary’s Erdman Center for Continuing Education. 

The mastermind behind the program is Dr. Stephen Payne, a former CEO and long-time international executive leadership coach. According to Dr. Payne, “There is no doubt that the world is calling out for a higher level of accountability and transparency from CEOs, executives and managers, not to mention senior clergy. This seminar will help business leaders discover new ways to enhance their organization’s integrity, stewardship, and moral character.”  Dr. Payne’s ultimate goal? To help the leaders generate the greatest good within themselves, as well as for their organization. Now, that is an idea that is nothing less than revolutionary.