What makes employees truly committed to their work?
For decades, organizations have invested heavily in salaries, incentives, training programs, and employee engagement initiatives in an effort to build productive and motivated teams. Yet despite these efforts, many workplaces continue to struggle with burnout, disengagement, frequent job changes, and declining emotional commitment from employees.
This question led Dr. Anshul Gupta, an HR researcher and workplace spirituality expert, on a seven-year academic journey to understand what employees genuinely seek from their work beyond compensation and career growth.
Today, her research has become the foundation of a growing conversation around Workplace Spirituality, a concept that aims to bring greater meaning, purpose, and human connection into organizational life.
Why High Salaries and Employee Engagement Programs Aren’t Solving the Problem
Dr. Gupta’s research began with a simple observation. While organizations have become increasingly sophisticated in managing performance and productivity, many employees continue to feel disconnected from their work.
The modern workplace is facing a unique challenge. Employees are completing tasks, meeting deadlines, and achieving targets, yet many are still searching for a deeper sense of fulfillment. Traditional HR practices often focus on measurable outcomes, but they may overlook a fundamental human need—the desire to find meaning in what we do every day.
According to Dr. Gupta, employees want more than financial rewards. They want purpose, belonging, alignment with organizational values, and meaningful relationships at work.
The Seven-Year Search for an Answer
A Doctorate in Human Resources from Christ University, Bangalore, Dr. Gupta spent seven years conducting extensive research through her MPhil and PhD studies in the field of Workplace Spirituality.
Before entering academia, she worked as an HR professional in the corporate sector, where she witnessed firsthand the growing gap between organizational expectations and employee satisfaction.
Her personal interest in transcendental meditation, which she has practiced for nearly two decades, further strengthened her desire to understand how inner wellbeing influences professional life.
Through years of study, analysis, and observation, she found that employees thrive when organizations acknowledge not only their skills and competencies but also their deeper need for meaning and human connection.
The Five Things Employees Are Really Looking For
One of the key findings of Dr. Gupta’s research is that workplace spirituality has little to do with religion and everything to do with the human experience at work.
Her work identifies several factors that contribute to a healthier workplace culture. These include finding meaning through work, experiencing a sense of interconnectedness with colleagues, aligning personal values with organizational values, developing genuine workplace relationships, and acknowledging the inner life of employees.
When these elements are present, employees often feel more engaged, motivated, and committed to organizational goals.
As organizations continue to adapt to changing workforce expectations, these findings have become increasingly relevant for leaders, HR professionals, and business owners.
Bringing Years of Research to Business Leaders and HR Professionals
Dr. Gupta translated her years of academic research into her award-winning book, The Spiritual Indian Corporate. The book examines how workplace spirituality can help address many of the challenges facing organizations and employees in today’s fast-changing business environment.
For professionals seeking fresh insights into employee engagement, workplace culture, leadership, and organizational development, the book presents a research-backed perspective that challenges conventional thinking. Its strong reader response and recognition at multiple forums have made it a valuable resource for management students, HR practitioners, and business leaders alike.
Building on this foundation, she later authored The Corporate Spirituality, a practical guide that moves beyond theory and focuses on implementation. The book introduces frameworks, measurement tools, and practical strategies that organizations can adopt to create more meaningful workplaces.
Readers interested in applying these ideas within their own organizations will find actionable guidance supported by years of research and real-world relevance.
Helping Leaders Create More Meaningful Workplaces
Recognizing the growing interest in the field, Dr. Gupta founded TheCorporateSpirituality.com, a platform dedicated to executive coaching, workplace consulting, certification programs, and leadership development initiatives.
Through her books, research, consulting practice, and thought leadership, she continues to help organizations understand an important truth: employees perform at their best when they feel connected not only to their work, but also to its purpose.
As businesses continue to search for sustainable ways to engage and retain talent, Dr. Anshul Gupta’s research raises a compelling question—what if the key to stronger organizations lies not in asking employees to do more, but in helping them find greater meaning in what they already do?
To stay updated on Dr. Anshul Gupta’s work, insights, and research on workplace spirituality, leadership, and employee engagement, readers can follow her on LinkedIn and Instagram.
