The Palgrave Handbook of Fulfillment, Wellness, and Personal Growth at Work

This handbook discusses the role of sustainability, well-being and growth in engagement and purpose at work. When employees are dissatisfied with their job, they tend to be disengaged and less productive. Given the correlation between job satisfaction and job performance, organizations are looking for ways to increase employee engagement and productivity. Divided into three sections, this work opens with an examination of the concept of work, then discusses fulfillment of workforce members at mental, emotional, and spiritual levels. The next section on wellness explores drivers that advance interhuman approaches and trends, including meaning, leadership, happiness, resilience, and motivation. The last section focuses on personal and professional growth through the cultivation of an entrepreneurial mindset, but also justice, equity, and interactive flourishing through the promotion of positive trends or the conscious reduction of toxic ones. With contributions from a global cluster of scholars, this book offers readers broad perspectives on the potential nature of work as a gratifying vocation. It will serve as a horizon-expanding reference for those researching topics related to meaningful work and workplace fulfillment and thriving. Preface Gratitude Contents Editor and Contributors About the Editor Contributors List of Figures List of Tables Part I Fulfillment 1 How We View Work: A Historical Perspective Introduction Labor and Work Fulfillment and Meaning Work and Fulfillment Conclusion References 2 Soft Skills as a Conscious Choice to Greater Collaboration at Work Introduction Soft Skills Role of Technology Role of the Family Role of the Church Conclusion References 3 Meaning at Work: Dimensions, Implications and Recommendations Introduction Literature Review Meaning, Meaning in Life, and Meaning at Work Meaning in Life Versus Meaning at Work The Presence, Absence and the Drive to Find Meaning at Work: Implications on Well-Being Presence of Meaning at Work Absence of Meaning at Work Search for Meaning at Work Discussion ‘Self’ and Meaning Understanding One’s Work Orientation Dual Reflexivity ‘Others’ and Meaning The ‘Job’ and Meaning Meaning at Work as Serving Others Keeping Up with Protean Careers Conclusion References 4 Spiritual Guidance in the Personal Efficacy of Work Introduction Creation and the Burden of Work Purpose of Work Work as a Calling A Purpose and a Calling Work as Service—Our Purpose at Work An Entrepreneurial Mindset God at Work Conclusion References 5 An Analysis of Consumers’ Thrifting Practices as an Act of Eudaimonia Introduction Eudaimonia and Virtuous Action The Rise of Thrifting Practices The Context of Our Study: The Thrifting Ecosystem and Its Apps Vestiaire Collective—Home of Pre-loved Fashion Depop—The Creative’s Marketplace ThredUP—An Online Consignment and Thrift Store for Your Closet, Your Wallet, and the Planet Vinted and Wallapop Thrifting as a Virtuous Circuit of Consumption Self-Presentation Through Cultural Curations of Outfits’ Uniqueness Ideological Commitment Against Fast-Consumption Virtuous Circuits of Technosocial Collaborations Conclusions References 6 The Role of Dignity in Workplace Well-Being: A Relational Cultural Perspective Nature and Types of Human Dignity Role of Dignity in Workplace Well-Being, Purpose, Growth, and Flourishing Relational Nature of Dignity and Relevance of RCT Relational Cultural Theory Conceptualizing Dignity Within RCT: Dignity as Mutuality of Mattering Implications of RCT for Supporting Workplace Dignity Use of Co-active Power with Others Versus Power Over Others Enabling Resonance and Responsiveness to Health-Sustaining Forms of Resistance Summary References 7 The Promise and Limits of Self-Employment as a Path to Fulfillment and Well-Being at Work Introduction Overview of Self-Employment and Well-Being Hedonic and Eudaimonic Well-Being Entrepreneurship and Well-Being The Promise of Entrepreneurship as a Path to Well-Being Autonomy Financial Gain Goal Fulfillment The Limits to Achieving Well-Being Through Self-Employment Long Working Hours Demands on the Self-Employed Social Support, Isolation, and Well-Being Promise and Limits for Women Entrepreneurs The Promise for Women Entrepreneurs The Limits for Women Entrepreneurs Promise and Limits for Immigrant Entrepreneurs The Limits for Immigrant Entrepreneurs Intersection of Immigrant Status, Gender, and Entrepreneurship Female Immigrants and Entrepreneurship: Between Personal and Community Well-Being Female Identity: Ethnicity, Culture, and Religion Discussion: Advancing Research on Self-Employment and Well-Being The Promise The Limits Women Entrepreneurs Immigrant Entrepreneurs Conclusion References 8 Shepherding Engineering Leadership: A Combined Approach to Leading and Creating Employee Engagement Introduction Shepherding Engineering Leadership Challenges to Creating Employee Engagement Conclusion and Suggestions for Future Research References Part II Wellness 9 From Organizational Oneness to Organizational Wellness: The Role of Individuals, Teams, and Organizations from a Whole Systems Framework Organizations from a Lens of Oneness Organizational Wellness as an Alternate Outcome Individual Oneness and Wellness Relationship The Role of Individual Consciousness for Health and Well-Being The Role of Team Consciousness and the Idea of Consciousness Gap Tools for Team Consciousness Organizational Wellness Programs Research and Findings Physical Environment of the World of Work The Range and Scope of Organizational Wellness Programs Organizational Consciousness Toward Organizational Wellness Organizational Structures Which Support Organizational Wellness Organizational Processes that Support Organizational Wellness Organizational Culture that Supports Organizational Wellness Beyond Organizations: Socially Inspired Well-Being from an Integral Organizational Wellness Framework Wellness from a Consciousness Perspective with All Quadrants/All Levels Approach References 10 Inside Job: Exploring Meaningful Work Through Creative-Spiritual Agency Work Versus Meaningful Work Frances’ Story: Meaningful Work, Lost Two Models for Meaningful Work A Pause: Frances, Revisited Creatively Synthesizing the Two Models Creativity, Spirituality, and Meaningful Work Creativity Creativity as Performative Outcome Creativity as Being Creativity as Experience Creativity as Transpersonal Spirituality Spirituality as Human Response to Subject-Object Duality Spirituality as a Means for Transformation Creativity and Spirituality as Interrelated Constructs Frances’ Story: A Creative-Spiritual Being An Emerging Framework for Creative-Spiritual Agency and Meaningful Work Frances’ Story: Meaningful Work Reflections and Invitations References 11 Embracing Inclusive Leadership for Collaborative Healthcare Work Environments: Fostering Wellness in Ambivalent Situations Introduction Collaborative Leadership in Health Care Inclusive Leadership Inclusive Leadership and Collaboration in Health Care Discussion Contribution and Implications for Wellness Research Implications for Practice and Conclusions References 12 Empathy as a Wellness Driver in the Workplace Empathy as a Wellness Driver in the Workplace Empathy Defined Two Roles of Empathy as a Wellness Driver Empathy Facilitates Social Interaction Social Contact Improves Health and Wellness in the Workplace Comparison of Topics on Empathy in the Workplace Conclusion References 13 Making a Workplace a Happy One: Benefits and Risks of Remote Work in a Socio-Philosophical Perspective Introduction The Transformation of Work: From Ancient Greece to Modern Forms of Remote Work From the Production Paradigm to the Consumption Paradigm Postmodern Nomadism in the Twenty-First Century Remote Work in the Era of the COVID-19 Pandemic Benefits and Limitations of Remote Working Conclusions References 14 Coping with Stress: The Importance of Individual Resilience and Work Tasks Complexity and Unpredictability Introduction Background Perceived Stress Individual Resilience Work Tasks’ Complexity and Unpredictability Materials and Methods Sample and Procedure Ethical Considerations Measures Data Analysis Results Discussion Practical Contributions Limitations and Future Research Conclusion References 15 Precarious Workers’ Wellbeing: Identity Development Through Online Discourses of Quiet Quitting Introduction Theoretical Background Identity Creation at Work: Implications for Wellbeing The Identity Implications of Precarious Work Online Communities as Identity Workspaces Methodology Data Description & Collection Data Analysis Findings Narratives of Discontent Detachment Building a Sense of Community The Construction of Self at Work Discussion Conclusion References 16 Significant Measures of Ancient Indian Ethos Towards Wellness and Growth in the Workplace Introduction Literature Review Developing the Power of Tolerance Make Changes in the Trend of Thinking (Ideology) Intensifying the Moral Self Through an Observation of Virtues Being Respectful Towards Gifts of Nature and Diligence The Inevitable Designation of Peace and Purification of Mind in Happiness Conclusion References 17 Entrepreneurship: An Auspicious Context for Examining Its Connection to Wellbeing Introduction The Importance of Examining Wellbeing Post COVID Hedonic and Eudaimonic Wellbeing Increasing Interest in Wellbeing in Entrepreneurship Research Dependent Variable in Entrepreneurship Research: Wellbeing ADHD and Entrepreneurship Stressors in Entrepreneurship The Emotional State in the Entrepreneurial Journey Necessity Versus Opportunity Entrepreneurs The Role of Prosocial Motivation on the Entrepreneur’s Wellbeing Work-Life Balance in Entrepreneurship Gender Differences in Entrepreneurial Wellbeing Entrepreneurship and Wellbeing: Future Research Avenues and Practical Implications Conclusion References 18 Motivating Latin American Employees in the Twenty-first Century Introduction Transformational Leadership for Latin American Employees Transformational Leadership The Latin American Context Practical Implications for Management Cultural Practices Shape Latin American Work Design Job Characteristics and the Culture as a Moderator Digital Work Design in Latin America A Work Design Model for Latin America Conclusions References 19 Embracing Stigma? Finding Workplace Dignity in Dirty Work Introduction Dirty Work and Stigma Sex Work and Workplace Dignity Research Methodology Research Setting Cases Findings Finding Dignity in Sex Work Sex Work as Professional Work Aesthetics Labor Emotional Labor Reframing as a Means to Manage Stigma Conclusion References 20 Why Workplace Peer Coaching Groups Are Vital for the Corporate Culture of the Future Introduction The Four Pillars of the Culture of the Future Pillar One: Compassion Pillar Two: Community Pillar Three: Cooperation Pillar Four: Continuous Development Peer Coaching Groups as a Tool to Support the Four Cs Mechanism One: Resonant Relationships Mechanism Two: Status Equalization Mechanism Three: Vicarious Learning Mechanism Four: Tapping into the PEA Opportunities for Future Research Implications for Practitioners Conclusion References 21 Leading Individual and Collective Well-being for Planetary Health Introduction Planetary Health What Does Engagement Mean in the Scope of Planetary Health? Leading Individual and Collective Well-Being Conclusions References 22 Employee Boundary Management Practices and Challenges Introduction Conceptualizations of Boundary Management and Blurring Boundary Origins of Boundary Management Key Antecedents and Outcomes of Boundary Management Forms of Blurring Boundary Blurring Boundary Between Workplace and Home Blurring Boundary Between Online and Offline Concerns and Challenges About Blurring Boundary in the Workplace Boundary Management Tactics Employee Personal Control Managing Relational Partners Organizational Support Measures of Blurring Boundary Discussions and Conclusions Conclusions Future Research Directions References 23 Strategic Changes Toward Engagement, Wellness, and Growth Introduction Key Forces of Change in the Workspace Today Strategic Change Management Interventions to Support Employee Engagement, Wellness, and Growth Overcoming Resistance to Change Employee Engagement, Wellness and Growth Conclusion References Part III Personal Growth 24 Conscious Practices Toward Personal and Collective Growth Stress Factors of the Contemporary Worker: An Overview Remote Work Emotional Disconnect Speed of Change Lack of Stability Mega Exposure Increased Diversity Inspirational Practices for the Contemporary Worker: An Overview Individual Practices Team Practices Endnote References 25 Individual Resilience in a Volatile Work Environment Introduction Enhancing Individual Resilience Proactive and Reactive Pathways to Individual Resilience Research Context and Method Findings Proactive Resilience Pathways Reactive Resilience Pathways Discussion Conclusion References 26 ReVisioning the Way We Work: Organizational Creative Capacity and Expanded Cultures of Care Introduction Our New World of Work Leadership The Balance Between Strategy, Process, and Culture in the Face of Complexity Strategy Process Mapping Culture Leadership in a Time of BANI Multigenerational Workforce Realities Aligning Employee and Leadership Perspectives on Culture How to Measure Your organization’s Workforce Baseline Compliance Costs Diversity Leadership Occupational Health and Safety Organizational Culture Recruitment, Mobility, and Turnover Employee Bench Strength Skills and Capabilities Workforce Availability Moving Forward—What Next? References 27 Conceptualizing Passion as an Entrepreneurial Pathway Introduction Conceptual Foundations Entrepreneurial Passion Entrepreneurial Passion and Venture Creation Entrepreneurial Motivation: Economic and Non-economic Motivation Behind Venture Creation Link Between Positive Emotions and Quality of Life Interactions Between Personal Growth and Passion Methodology Limitations Conceptual Framework Conceptualizing How Entrepreneurs Can Achieve Personal Growth and Find Happiness by Working with Passion Genetic Set Point for Happiness Choose a Business That Is the Right Fit Create a Fair, Just, and Healthy Organizational Culture Be Intentional About Improving Individual Happiness Design an Organization with Desired Values Conclusion References 28 Adding the “J” for Justice: How Executive Education Can Center Social Justice in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) Training for Corporate Leaders What is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Justice? Which DEI Competencies Do Executive Education Programs Target? How Do Executive Education Programs Approach DEI Training in Practice? Summary of Findings Bentley University’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion Program Program History and Background Mutual Learning Design Approach Mindset: Establishing Values and Assumptions Behavior: Putting Concepts into Practice Results: Performance, Relationships, Well-Being The “Race and...” Intersectionality Approach to Social Justice Race and...: Centering Identity Work on Race Intersectionality: Framing Identities in the Context of Race How Does DEI(J) Work Advance Individual and Organizational Well-Being? Key Takeaways Conclusion References 29 Workforce Members with Disabilities: An Underutilized Talent Pool for Mutual Growth Introduction Disability and Labor Force Trends Persons with Disability in the US Labor Force Persons with Disability and the Global Labor Force Getting to Equal: The Disability Inclusion Advantage|Accenture Innovation Productivity, Retention, and Turnover Inclusive Sourcing, Enhanced Reputation, and Diverse Consumer Base A Systematic Review of Disability and the Workplace Primary Benefits to People with Disabilities Profit and Cost Effectiveness and Customer Loyalty/Satisfaction Customer Loyalty/Satisfaction Inclusive/Diverse Work Culture Overcoming Barriers Through Inclusive Higher Education Aggie ACHIEVE: An Exemplar Post-Secondary Inclusive Program Addressing Persistent Systemic Barriers The Case for Inclusion Report 2019 Social Entrepreneurship Conclusion Appendix A List of Inclusive Post-Secondary Education Programs in the US Appendix B Case for Inclusion State Rankings Table References 30 Servant Leadership: An Inextricable Technique and Persuasive Criterion for Emerging Leaders Introduction Literature Review Servant Leadership as an Inherent Approach and Perspective of Women Leaders The Essential Trait of Humility for a Leader’s Efficacious Functioning The Implication of ŚrīMad Bhagavad GīTa in Servant Leadership and Its Spiritual Orientation Conscientiousness, Devoutness, and Sensibility in the Context of Serviceability Conclusion References 31 Leader Growth and Development: Authenticity Enablers and Stumbling Blocks Introduction Enablers of Authenticity Self-Awareness Personal Vision Ethics and Morals Openness and Deep Care Intentions and Imperfection Self-Efficacy and Self-Confidence Self-Regulation Stumbling Blocks of Authenticity Societal Expectations Contingent Self-Esteem Inability to Process Negative Feedback Mimicking and Acculturation Conclusion References 32 Reducing the Barriers to Flow Experience Through Development of Consciousness Introduction The Flow Experience Characteristics of Flow Conditions for Flow Development of Consciousness V-theory of Transcendence Comparing Flow Experience and Higher States of Consciousness Higher States of Consciousness Facilitating Flow Experience Empirical Study of Effect of Higher States of Consciousness on Flow Experiences Data Interpretation Discussion and Future Directions References 33 Conscious Business Performance in a Global Village Introduction Global Village: Diversity Paradigm Cognition Conscience Sustainable Performance Conscious Business Performance Managerial Capability for Conscience Elements of Conscious Business Performance Sustainability: An Example of Conscious Global Business Conduct Engendering Conscience—Leading from the Heart Pitfalls: Greed and Corruption State of Affairs, Reflections and Research Agenda References Index