The Spirit of Work: Using the Virtues Sequence for Solving Workplace Problems

Culture and Leadership Connections Podcast

Using the Virtues Sequence for Solving Workplace Problems
Are you facing a problem that seems unsolvable? The answer might lie in the "virtues sequence," a concept my colleague and I uncovered while researching sacred writings across world religions. We discovered a common pattern that could help resolve workplace challenges, consistently following the same path of: love, truth, justice, unity, peace, and abundance.
Example One:
A fabrication plant faced repeated customer complaints about design mistakes due to miscommunication and a lack of respect between departments. The designers and fabricators were separated by several departments, and when fabricators reported issues, they were often ignored by the designers who felt superior. This created distrust and poor relationships, rendering feedback workflows ineffective. The solution was to bring designers, fabricators, and customers together to develop relationship. Regular meetings led to unity and smoother operations, which in turn addressed customer concerns.
Example Two:
The virtues sequence can enhance workplace dynamics by tackling core issues. A manager dealing with personal problems might unknowingly create a toxic environment, driven by unresolved struggles. Addressing this starts with acknowledging the truth of personal issues, and their impact on others leading to love and justice.
Example Three:
The final example involves managers promoting up from a marginalized employee group. When organizations do not genuinely believe in the competence of the racialized individuals they unconsciously undermine them, which reveals hidden discriminatory attitudes. The lack of authenticity stems from an absence of truth and love, leading to injustice. Such problems occur because people often do not feel that their needs for love, appreciation, and acknowledgment are met in their own lives.
How to Increase Ability to Apply the Virtues Sequence with Authenticity:
Serve the Customer: When you truly serve the customer, you reconnect with the noble purpose that your job is intended to fulfill. This strategy, derived from Lisa Earl MacLeod’s book, Selling with Noble Purpose has many examples of how connecting to service, inspires workplaces to make amazing progress and individuals to find purpose and meaning in their lives.
Remember Your Family Legacy: By reflecting on your family legacy, you can identify an inspirational example that has shaped your best self. While acknowledging that your family legacy wasn't perfect, you can still be inspired by the virtues your family tree has been able to demonstrate over time. This gives a sense of purpose and helps you get back on the virtues path.
Increase your Empathy through discomfort: People may lack empathy because they haven't experienced it themselves. One of my facilitator colleagues introduced an exercise to increase empathy by trying to teach workshop participants 10 minutes of basic introductory knowledge in Punjabi. Within less than five minutes, participants were angry and in tears. Pausing the exercise, my colleague explained that this was how their newcomer workers felt all day, every day, when they didn’t speak English as a first language. This powerful experience helped leaders understand their employees' struggles and realign with empathy and increased patience.
In summary, the virtues sequence, can be used as a diagnostic tool for a workplace issues, and in your personal life to find virtues solutions.
Remember the sequence: Love - Truth - Justice - Unity - Peace - Abundance.
Happy practicing and don't forget to pick up my book, The Spirit of Work: Timeless Wisdom, Current Realities!

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