Creating Organizational Soul: The Source of Positive Change and Transformation

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Creating Soul in Social Service Agencies

I have had some of my most fruitful searches for soul in the most unlikely places. Perhaps the most soulful team on which I ever worked was at the county jail described in Chapter 1. My colleagues and I cared for each other, we supported each other, we had each other’s backs, and we were passionate about our work. We formed strong bonds. We built a healthy, innovative, and productive work environment. We set high standards and expected each member of the team to carry his or her weight. While we put more demands on the inmates than they had ever experienced in their lives, we still treated them with dignity and respect.

I have found that people who work in social service agencies have a helping orientation. ...