2012 Wisdom at Work Conference
Dates: October 30 - November 1, 2012
Location: Donald W. Reynolds Center
University of Arkansas
Theme: Wisdom at Work
Vision:
This conference will be a place where leading edge thinkers and practitioners from the business community, the academic community, the non-profit community and the faith/spiritual community can come together to dialogue about the challenges and opportunities with integrating faith and spirituality in the workplace. The conference will focus on action-oriented outcomes such as collaborative research, co-created programs, and interdisciplinary writing projects.
Theme: “Wisdom at Work”
Throughout time, the wisdom of humanity has been captured in the different faith and spiritual traditions of the world. Each of these traditions has unique wisdom, based on the sacred scriptures, stories, and practices. And all of these traditions have a shared wisdom, such as the importance of focusing on love, compassion, and service. Our 2012 conference will be exploring what it means to develop wisdom, to act wisely, and to transfer wisdom to others in the context of the workplace.
The Oxford Companion to Philosophy defines wisdom as: a form of understanding that unites a reflective attitude and a practical concern. The aim of the attitude is to understand the fundamental nature of reality and its significance for living a good life. The object of the practical concern is to form a reasonable conception of the good life, given the agents’ character and circumstances, and to evaluate situations in which they have to make decisions and act from its point of view... Wisdom may be identified then with good judgment about the evaluation of complex situations and conceptions of the good life in the light of a reflective understanding of the human condition [p. 959]
Manz, Manz, Marx and Neck write in The Wisdom of Solomon at Work, one of the few texts on wisdom in the workplace, “In Hebrew scriptures, wisdom was God’s first creation, and it is frequently associated with a sense of awe for the greatness and power of God. This awe, we believe, is spiritual and it drives the search within us for something better, something that connects us all and helps us to discover our true selves.” (2001, p. 7).
Three Streams:
There will be three interwoven streams at the conference, like three strands of a braid. The first stream is the Practitioner Stream. The presentations in this stream will be given by leaders from organizations that have received the International Faith and Spirit at Work Award, or who have been past honorees of the International Spirit at Work Award. The second stream will be the Academic Stream and will consist of peer reviewed proposals on the leading edge research, scholarship and teaching in the field. The third stream will be the Faith and Spirituality Stream and will consist of panels, commentary, and dialogue participation by faith and spiritual leaders of different traditions and worldviews.
The focus of this conference is on dialogue in these different stakeholder groups, and how we can move our scholarship and practice forward.
International Faith and Spirit at Work Leadership Awards
Intersections Internationaland the Tyson Center for Faith and Spirituality in the Workplace seek to recognize individuals whose organizational leadership or actions inspire and promote the ideal of work with purpose and meaning. This Leadership Award will be made in conjunction with the 2012 International Wisdom at Work Conference, October 30 – November 1, 2012.
An organizational leader, to be selected for an award must, through his or her individual initiative and actions, have inspired and engaged in programs or activities that model, recognize and foster a culture that honors the integrative relationship of work and meaning. We wish to honor organizational leaders who are visible in the Faith and Spirit at Work movement who are from respected and admired organizations. We believe that by honoring these leaders, other business, non-profit, and government leaders may be inspired to more openly live their faith and spiritual values, and that the world will benefit from this ethical and inspired leadership.
To be selected for this award, the organizational leader will possess and demonstrate some or all of the following characteristics:
1. Is recognized in the field, among peers or in the public for their work, and as a model of leadership in the field.
2. Demonstrates a deep, personal belief in the power and value of faith, spirituality and personal connection in promoting meaning and work for individuals.
3. Practices, or has experience or training in, related and relevant fields, such as, faith, meditation, prayer, or human resource development.
4. Engages in practices or programs that have had significant impact within an organization (Public, Private or Not-for-Profit) or in the public dialogue on faith and spirituality in the work environment.
5. Has demonstrated impact and influence on organizations and individuals (such as by mentoring, coaching, writing, or speaking) through their commitment and engagement as a leader and practitioner of faith and spiritual values in the work place.
6. Is available and willing to attend in person to accept the award and to present and to share their insights at the 2012 Wisdom at Work Conference in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
We invite you to nominate a leader, and we invite and encourage self-nominations.
International Faith and Spirit at Work Leadership Award Nomination Form PDF Version Word Version
International Faith and Spirit at Work Leadership Award FAQs
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