Professor Freda van der Walt shares Insights on Unlocking the Power of Spirituality and Well-being in the Workplace
Prof. Freda Van der Walt (second from right) and her two sons and daughter from left is Nicolas, Clara and Emile van der Walt.
CUT celebrated the first Welkom Campus Professorial Inauguration of Professor Freda Van der Walt amidst its 20thanniversary as a University of Technology. Prof. Van der Walt’s inauguration as a full professor in organisational behaviour is a special occasion for the university as it underscores the enormous contribution of the Welkom Campus to the university’s academic project.
In her Inaugural Professorial Lecture, Professor Van der Walt delved into a thought-provoking topic titled 'Thinking beyond Technology and Titles', a research journey that focused on the relationship between workplace spirituality and job satisfaction, as well as the role of individual spirituality in cultivating mental health and well-being in complex work environments.
Freda highlighted the significance of spirituality in the African context, where interconnectedness is at the core. She noted that despite its importance, spirituality has often been overlooked in Western psychological discourse and in the professional sphere. However, she said, recent research has validated the relevance of spirituality across various dimensions of the workplace, including mental health and well-being.
Her work has been published extensively in national and international academic journals and has contributed significantly to the field of organisational behaviour.
She also emphasised the importance of individual spirituality as a catalyst for nurturing mental health in the work context, and cited empirical findings and contemporary literature to support her argument, underlining the need to shift the focus from titles and technological advancements to the human spirit.
Prof. Van der Walt further shared profound insights that enhances spirituality on an individual level. “These insights are not only beneficial for spiritual individuals but positively impact work units, organisations, society, and the world at large.”
She mentioned four key spiritual insights, which she believes spiritual individuals mind their thinking, their language, live their purpose, and let go of their ego.
“The importance of redirecting our attention from external validation to inner growth requires an advanced awareness of our thinking and the essence of belonging. By incorporating these spiritual insights into our everyday professional lives, we can navigate the complexities of the modern workplace with greater mindfulness and accuracy,” she said.
In conclusion, she encouraged others to embark on their spiritual journey with open hearts and curious minds, embrace complexity and the unknown, dare to envision a future where titles and technology serve not as constraints but as enablers of their spiritual journey.
