Do Not Promote Religion Under the Guise of Spirituality

‘I can’t even begin to describe what it’s like to work in most organiza-tions. ‘Those who say that working for a big organization is akin to selling your soul have got it all wrong. I wish that there were organizations worth selling my soul to! I wish that there was even one organization that recognized that people have souls! ‘Most organizations are a hazard to your mental health. They are “First Degree Black Belts ” in the humiliation and the destruction of people. There ought to be a big sign out in front of them that reads: “Enter at Extreme Risk to Your Self-Respect!” ‘To top it off, organizations not only deny that they beat up and humiliate people, but after doing it for forty to sixty hours a week, they expect you to go home, repair your soul on your own time so that you can come back for more! And the dumb thing is that we do it! But what choice do we have? Are there any other options? I dare you to name me a truly healthy organization that I could work for! ‘I am tired of constantly having to pretend that I can put my soul on hold when I come to work—that I can leave big parts of who I am at home. I am even more tired of constantly having to carve myself up into a thousand tiny pieces that have no connection with one another. Where is the whole that is “me”? Where has it gone? Was it ever “there”? ’ (An anonymous interviewee) I believe deeply in the sanctity of work and of organizations. For better and for worse, work is the centerpiece of most people’s lives. Whether we like it or not, work is inextricably intertwined with our perpetual search for meaning. Work is an integral part of our spirituality, our search for ultimate meaning. I believe even more fervently that today’s organiza-tions and today’s jobs are in serious need of redesign. Far too many pose a serious threat to the human soul. The invention of organizations is one of humankind’s greatest achieve-ments. Organizations are essential in passing on the hard-won knowledge