8. Spirituality, Success, and Happiness: Implications for Leadership in Business

There is a general consensus that success leads to happiness and successful people are happier than others. Nevertheless, evidence suggests that the relationship between success and happiness is more complex than it appears. One may achieve one’s goals continuously and be successful but one’s level of happiness may not rise continuously. Happiness generated through success is not true happiness but pleasure, thus invariably short-lived. Happiness is inherent within all human beings and can only be experienced when we grow spiritually. With the help of scientific evidence, this study points out that spiritual growth is our inner journey toward attaining the highest state and that we are designed to achieve this purpose and remain happy. Therefore, if any success we achieve is to deliver happiness, the activities we perform to achieve success should be aligned with this purpose – all activities should contribute to our spiritual growth. This applies to the happiness sought when doing business as well. They should be seen as a spiritual practice or a selfless service. Evidence suggests that integrating spirituality into business and managing business as a spiritual practice not only delivers happiness to all parties involved but also increases profits, and spiritual-based leaders inspire, encourage, and drive success.