My spiritual life is important to me, yet I find myself constantly navigating the tension that exists between taking time to cultivate my spirituality and getting things done. 

Society tells us high performance requires more. More time! More effort! More intensity!

When you subscribe to that narrative you can become so obsessed with professional accomplishments and material success you begin to neglect a crucial aspect of your well-being: spiritual health. 

The time you had allocated for introspection, devotionals, solitude, or journaling is easily replaced with any number of tasks that might move your project closer to completion.

The irony is this tendency is most prevalent in societies that already have “the most”. 

A recent global survey conducted by The McKinsey Health Institute revealed that respondents in higher-income economies were substantially less likely than those in lower- or lower-middle-income economies to indicate spiritual health was “extremely important” to them.

The all consuming chase for material accumulation has a way of deemphasizing the importance we place on the cultivation of our inner lives.

And, as you could imagine, this comes at a cost.

In this issue, we’ll parse through some research that highlights the immense importance spiritual health has on our overall health and well-being, touching specifically on its correlations to other dimensions of health, all while connecting it all back to our leadership effectiveness.

Strong Correlations

A growing body of evidence underscores the profound impact spiritual health has on our overall well-being. Numerous studies have demonstrated positive correlations between spiritual health and physical, mental, and social well-being. 

In some instances, these associations are significant, as with the results from a recent brain health survey that showed spiritual health had nearly a 4X impact on mental health for Gen Z respondents. For this same group, spiritual health had a 2X impact on both social and physical health. 

Spirituality is the rising tide that raises all boats. 

Individuals with strong spiritual practices often report lower stress levels, increased resilience to adversity, improved mental clarity, a greater sense of purpose and meaning in life, and a higher tolerance to distress.

Spiritual health, however, is not merely about religious affiliation or adherence to specific doctrines. 

It encompasses a broader sense of connection to something larger than ourselves, whether it be nature, a higher power, a felt sense of belonging, or a set of deeply held values. 

It involves cultivating a sense of inner peace, mindfulness, and gratitude, as well as engaging in practices that nurture our soul, such as meditation, prayer, reflections, or spending time in nature.

The neglect of spiritual health in our fast-paced, materialistic world perpetuates the ongoing tension between the material and spiritual dimensions of our lives. 

As leaders, we have an obligation to raise the standards by prioritizing spiritual growth in both our personal and professional lives.

A More Holistic Approach

By exploring the differences in spiritual health’s importance across countries or regions and by understanding the varying feelings on religion, we as leaders can grow to have a deeper understanding of how to advance holistic health.

This can invite conversation within social, public, and private settings on factors that influence spiritual health. 

For example, asking someone, “What ways do you find purpose in your life?” or “How are you helping others find meaning?” can yield fruitful discussions. 

By cultivating our own spiritual health, we can model a more holistic approach to well-being for our teams and organizations. 

We can create environments that encourage mindfulness, reflection, and connection to a greater purpose. 

We can foster a culture of compassion, empathy, and service, where individuals feel valued and supported in their pursuit of both professional excellence and personal fulfillment.

By embracing spiritual health as a core dimension of our well-being, we can unlock a deeper sense of joy, resilience, and fulfillment, not just in our work but in every aspect of our lives.

Let us, as inspired leaders, commit to nurturing our spiritual health and creating environments that foster spiritual growth for ourselves and those we lead. 

In doing so, we can contribute to a more balanced, compassionate, and ultimately more successful world.

That’s true high performance!