Role of spiritual Leadership in responsible and sustainable organizations – A study of select organizations in India

Abstract

Spiritual leadership is emerging as central aspect of workplace spirituality, and more importantly in the context of social and sustainable enterprises, which are primarily driven by mission of benefitting society at large. There is also paradigm shift by the organizations towards triple bottom line (people, planet and profits). Indian scriptures have defined the duties and obligations of individuals to the welfare of the others and nature as NriRin or Manushya-rin and BhutaRin. The research paper analysis few social and sustainable organizations in India, such as Sri Ramakrishna Matt and Ramakrishna Misson, The Akhsypatra Foundation (TAF), Aravind eye hospital, Bamboo house India, Mitticool and TirumalaTirupathiDevasthanmas (TTD) and Indian Institutes of Management (IIM's) in the context of spiritual leadership and managerial excellence, and attempts to build a conceptual framework to understand these organizations. The poor people (defined by the World Bank's definition of below US$2 a day) can have access to services and products other than those that are absolutely essential only if they are provided free of cost. Paradoxically in India, where the five forces air water, land, fire and space are worshiped and are considered as part of individual human body or the larger cosmic body, India is fastest growing major polluter in the world . This also calls for eco -entrepreneurship and responsibility at corporate and even individual to fight the global challenge of environmental degradation and disaster. The study finds that organizations with spiritual leadership and selfless innovations, values as means and have achieved very high positive impact on social and environmental aspects.