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Christian Workplace Spiritual Intelligence: A Preliminary Analysis

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The Palgrave Handbook of Workplace Spirituality and Fulfillment

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Abstract

Christian workplace spiritual intelligence (CWSI) is the integration and application of Christian principles in the decision-making process. This chapter illustrates key elements of CWSI (identifying and managing character strengths and weaknesses, overcoming negative emotions, servant leadership, managing difficult people, and overcoming temptation, among others) through a content analysis of 100-plus interviews of Christians in the workplace supported by quotes and critical incident application examples from the respondents. The interview process generated strong affective responses illustrating the importance of spirituality in the lives of the respondents. Those with high-level CWSI demonstrated a high degree of intentionality in applying and committing to biblical principles in the workplace. Most interviewees seem to be at the Practice/Behavior stage of CWSI and remaining steady. A few were mature to practice more heart-integrated CWSI and possess the ability to use wisdom at a higher-level order of thinking.

In conclusion, one of the key recommendations is to develop a systematic education and training program in the area of CWSI. This would include a variety of training and education methods that incorporate a variety of learning styles and methods. For workplace believers, this will entail a combination of critically reflective learning processes including the completion of a CWSI self-diagnostic inventory, journaling, 360-degree peer assessments, mentor programs, and group accountability/support programs. The more effective integration of spiritual intelligence will generate a host of benefits including higher levels of workplace effectiveness and elevated mental and physical health outcomes.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Robertson School of Government, Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA, USA

    Gary E. Roberts & Diane Hess-Hernandez

Authors
  1. Gary E. Roberts
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  2. Diane Hess-Hernandez
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gary E. Roberts .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Woodbury University , North Hills, California, USA

    Satinder Dhiman

  2. Regent University , Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA

    Gary Roberts

  3. University of South Australia , Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

    Joanna Crossman

Appendix A

Appendix A

figure a

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© 2018 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature

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Roberts, G., Hess-Hernandez, D. (2018). Christian Workplace Spiritual Intelligence: A Preliminary Analysis. In: Dhiman, S., Roberts, G., Crossman, J. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Workplace Spirituality and Fulfillment. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-61929-3_59-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-61929-3_59-1

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-61929-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-61929-3

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