Teaching the un-teachable: storytelling and meditation in workplace spirituality courses

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the implementation of two strategies that are actually un-teachable yet highly effective in higher education: meditation and storytelling.

Design/methodology/approach

Specifically focussing on workplace spirituality as a movement from corporate workers, and consequently, also a teaching topic in management education, the paper first indicates some problems faced in today's world, and relates these to the need for facilitating college courses in more compelling and comprehensive ways.

Findings

Spirituality and spiritual concepts can involve emotional and other non-cognitive experiences which cannot be taught using traditional teaching approaches such as reading and lecture. Specific approaches, such as meditation and storytelling are useful for teaching spirituality and spiritual concepts in a business school classroom setting. These two strategies provide an opportunity for students to reflect on their experiences and to become more self-aware.

Practical implications

Using the practical strategies discussed in this paper in management classes turns out to be a positive experience for both the course facilitators and the students.

Originality/value

Reflecting on the overhaul attempts of management education in universities, even those with the prestige of Harvard and Stanford, the authors discuss some interesting strategies that can help management educators take their course experiences and the results attained to the next level.

Citation

Marques, J., Kumar Dhiman, S. and Biberman, J. (2014), "Teaching the un-teachable: storytelling and meditation in workplace spirituality courses", Journal of Management Development, Vol. 33 No. 3, pp. 196-217. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMD-10-2011-0106