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Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion
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The Spiritual Leadership Balanced Scorecard Business Model: the case of
the Cordon Bleu-Tomasso Corporation
Louis W. Frya; Laura L. Matherlya; J.-Robert Ouimetb
a Texas A&M University - Central Texas, Killeen, TX, USA b Holding O.C.B. Inc., Cordon Bleu
International Ltd., and Piazza Cordon Bleu-Tomasso International Inc., USA
Online publication date: 20 November 2010
To cite this Article Fry, Louis W. , Matherly, Laura L. and Ouimet, J.-Robert(2010) 'The Spiritual Leadership Balanced
Scorecard Business Model: the case of the Cordon Bleu-Tomasso Corporation', Journal of Management, Spirituality &
Religion, 7: 4, 283 — 314
To link to this Article: DOI: 10.1080/14766086.2010.524983
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14766086.2010.524983
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Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion
Vol. 7, No. 4, December 2010, 283–314
ISSN 1476-6086 print/ISSN 1942-258X online
© 2010 Association of Management, Spirituality & Religion
DOI: 10.1080/14766086.2010.524983
http://www.informaworld.com
The Spiritual Leadership Balanced Scorecard Business Model: the
case of the Cordon Bleu-Tomasso Corporation
Louis W. Fry*a, Laura L. Matherlya and J.-Robert Ouimetb
aTexas A&M University – Central Texas, Killeen, TX, USA; bHolding O.C.B. Inc.,
Cordon Bleu International Ltd., and Piazza Cordon Bleu-Tomasso International Inc.,
USA
Taylor and FrancisRMSR_A_524983.sgm10.1080/14766086.2010.524983Journal Of Management, Spirituality and Religion1476-6086 (print)/1942-258X (online)Original Article2010Taylor & Francis740000002010Dr LouisFrylwf@tarleton.edu
Developments in strategic scorecards, performance measurement and quality,
e.g. Baldrige Award Criteria, point out the pivotal role that employee well-
being and performance plays in predicting all other key strategic indicators.
The purpose of this paper is to offer the Spiritual Leadership Balanced
Scorecard Business Model as a driver of employee well-being, organizational
commitment and productivity, corporate social responsibility and, ultimately,
financial performance, via its impact on internal processes, output quality,
and customer satisfaction. An illustrative case study of is offered as an
example of how the Spiritual Leadership Balanced Scorecard Business Model
can be applied, through Cordon Bleu-Tomasso Corporation’s innovative
human and economic ISMAs (Integrated System of Management Activities),
in the daily management of a company deeply committed to the constant
pursuit of the reconciliation of human well-being with productivity and
profits through an emphasis on workplace spirituality with openness to
religion and transcendence in full freedom.
Keywords: spiritual leadership; balanced scorecard; performance excellence;
leadership effectiveness
Over the last decade, developments in industry have signaled the need for corpo-
rations to monitor performance dimensions that go beyond traditional financial
measures. The erosion of confidence in accounting reporting procedures and
corporate social responsibility, ushered in by Enron and WorldCom and punctu-
ated by Lehman Brothers, Bear Sterns, and the collapse of the world’s financial
markets, are examples that demonstrate that the profit motive no longer suffices
as an adequate, single driver of corporate values. The field of performance
measurement argues for an expanded focus by specifying the importance of non-
financial predictors of financial performance such as customer satisfaction,
operating/internal measures, quality, leadership, innovation, and employee well-
being and growth (Kaplan and Norton 1992, 1996, 2004b; Baldrige Award 2004).
Among these non-financial measures, the performance of employees (including
leadership) emerges as the central and leading indicator of the other performance
*Corresponding author. Email: lwfry@ct.tamus.edu
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284 L.W. Fry et al.
categories (Kaplan and Norton 2004a). Although the interplay of these dimensions
of organizational performance can be complex, in general leaders influence
employee performance and high levels of employee performance result in better
operations which in turn lead to higher levels of customer satisfaction. Finally,
high customer satisfaction leads to better financial performance. Since the perfor-
mance of the employees in an organization – from the executive level to the oper-
ational level – is central to effective and efficient internal operations, subsequent
customer satisfaction and ultimately financial performance, a focus on employee
performance is warranted for organizations that wish to be successful and thrive
(Kaplan and Norton 2004a, 2004b).
A business model describes the architecture of the firm, its network of
partners and stakeholders, and how it offers value to its customers. Given the
apparent failure of current business models, there is a need for developing a new
model that accentuates ethical leadership, employee well-being, sustainability
and social responsibility without sacrificing profitability, revenue growth, and
other indicators of financial and performance. This means developing and adopt-
ing business models with strategies that have a positive economic, social, and
environmental impact, often referred to as the triple bottom line. The triple
bottom line – or “People, Planet, Profit” – encompasses an explicit set of moral
values and criteria for measuring organizational (and societal) success and with
it a need to institute triple bottom line assessment and reporting.
Spiritual leadership (see Figure 1) is an emerging paradigm that has the poten-
tial to guide organizational transformation and development of organizations that
maximize the triple bottom line (Fry and Slocum 2008). The theory of spiritual
leadership was developed from an intrinsic motivation model that incorporates
hope/faith, vision, and altruistic love (Fry 2003, 2005, 2008). Spiritual leadership
taps into the fundamental needs of both leader and follower for spiritual well-
being through (1) calling, or a sense that one’s life has meaning, purpose, and
makes a difference, and (2) membership, or a sense that one is understood,
Fi
g
ure 1. Model of s
p
iritual leadershi
p
.
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Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion 285
appreciated, and accepted unconditionally. The purpose of spiritual leadership is
to create vision and value congruence across the individual, empowered team,
and organization levels and, ultimately, foster higher levels of organizational
commitment and productivity whereby human well-being, corporate social
responsibility, and organizational performance (the triple bottom line) cannot
only coexist, but be maximized (Fry and Slocum 2008).
Figure 1. Model of spiritual leadership.
The purpose of this article is to bring together advances in strategic perfor-
mance measurement (Baldrige Program 1992; Kaplan and Norton 1992, 1996,
2004b) with spiritual leadership theory as the basis for a Spiritual Leadership
Balanced Scorecard Business Model that places primary emphasis on maximiz-
ing employee well-being, corporate social responsibility and sustainability, and
positive organizational outcomes such as employee commitment, productivity,
and financial performance. First, we discuss developments in strategic perfor-
mance measurement. Developments in strategic scorecards, performance
measurement and quality, (e.g. Baldrige Program 2004), point out the pivotal
role that employee performance plays in predicting all other key strategic indica-
tors. Next, we review spiritual leadership theory (Fry 2003, 2005, 2008) as a
predictor of employee commitment, psychological and spiritual well-being and
positive human health. Then we propose that spiritual leadership through the
Spiritual Leadership Balanced Scorecard Business Model provides a process for
ultimately impacting customer and stakeholder satisfaction, and ultimately finan-
cial performance by fostering the development of the motivation and leadership
required to drive excellent operational performance. Finally, we offer an illustra-
tive case study of Cordon Bleu-Tomasso Inc. of Canada as an example of how
spiritual leadership theory and the Spiritual Leadership Balanced Scorecard
Business Model can be applied, through Cordon Bleu-Tomasso’s innovative
human and economic ISMAs (Integrated System of Management Activities), in
the daily management of a company already deeply committed to the constant
pursuit of the reconciliation of human well-being and sustainability with produc-
tivity and profits through an emphasis on workplace spirituality with openness to
religion and transcendence in full freedom.
Developments in strategic performance measurement
Since 1992, two milestone developments in performance measurement occurred
that provided management with (1) direction on specific performance measure-
ment categories, and (2) an overall causal framework for establishing a perfor-
mance measurement system that in the end predicts financial results. When Kaplan
and Norton (1992) introduced the Balanced Scorecard, they provided a framework
for capturing metrics at the executive level based on the categories of (1) customer
satisfaction, (2) financial performance, (3) internal processes, and (4) employee
innovation and growth. Non-financial measures provided the balance needed to
supplement financial measures and align employees with strategy.
At the same time that the Balanced Scorecard was introduced, the Baldrige
Award was undergoing changes to include the reporting of financial and
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286 L.W. Fry et al.
nonfinancial performance results in overall company performance (Fuchsberg
1992; Mahoney and Thor 1994). Presently, Baldrige (2004) focuses business
results in the following areas: (1) customer-focused results, (2) product and
service results, (3) financial and market results, (4) human resource results, (5)
organizational effectiveness results, including key internal operational perfor-
mance measures, and (6) governance and social responsibility results. Like the
Balanced Scorecard, the Baldrige National Quality Program (2004, p. 6) specifies
that “The use of this composite of measures is intended to ensure that strategies
are balanced – that they do not inappropriately trade off among important stake-
holders, objectives, or short-and longer-term goals”.
Kaplan and Norton (1996, p. 149) define strategy as “a set of hypotheses about
cause and effect” and maintain that every measure should be identified in a chain
of outcome measures and corresponding performance drivers of the outcome
measures. Although specific measures, in particular the performance drivers, will
vary across organizations, there are generic, core outcome measures such as
customer satisfaction, financial data and employee skills that are common across
strategies and industries. The non-financial measurement perspectives – custom-
ers, internal business processes and learning and growth – represent an investment
in intangible assets that build the capabilities for a company’s future growth.
The causal path proposed by Kaplan and Norton (2004b) is that improving
employee, technological and organizational capabilities will result in continuous
improvement of key internal processes. Improved processes that deliver value to
the customer will lead to subsequent improvements in customer satisfaction,
which in turn will lead to improved financial performance. Strategy maps illus-
trate the application of the Balanced Scorecard to particular companies, where
specific measures are linked according to the causal path. Furthermore, in each
of the four perspectives, both leading and lagging indicators may be identified.
In 1992, the Baldrige Award guidelines also introduced a causal model linking
the seven examination categories: 1.0 senior executive leadership, 2.0 informa-
tion and analysis, 3.0 strategic quality planning, 4.0 human resource development
and management, 5.0 management of process quality, 6.0 quality and operational
results, and 7.0 customer focus and satisfaction. Senior executive leadership is
the driver of the system components – information and analysis, strategic quality
planning, human resource development and management, and management of
process quality – which, in turn, drive quality and operational results and
customer focus and satisfaction.
Balanced scorecard performance measurement
A Balanced Scorecard (see Figure 2) reports strategic performance indicators in
those areas of quality and internal operations, customer focus, human resources
and finance that have been derived from the firm’s strategic plan and for which
quantifiable performance objectives have been established (Matherly and Fry
2005; Fry and Matherly 2007). An example of a balanced scorecard is shown in
Figure 3, where five common and core outcome measurements are identified in
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Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion 287
Figure 2. Strategic scorecard areas of focus and measures.
Figure 3. Example balanced scorecard.
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288 L.W. Fry et al.
the human resource management area: employee well-being/commitment, reten-
tion or turnover, employees trained, and employee productivity and implementa-
tion of best practices. By examining monthly trend data and performance vs.
targets, performance gaps can be identified that, if closed, will provide the firm
with competitive advantage. An example of developing a strategic performance
measurement system that provides the framework for aligning a firm’s strategy
and objectives vertically and horizontally across organizational functions and
units is shown in Figure 4. Figure 4 starts with the core measures in human
resources, and shows how the data can be segregated to measure each region,
business unit and function thereby linking individual, department and business
unit efforts in a common and integrated direction.
Figure 2. Strategic scorecard areas of focus and measuresFigure 3. Example balanced scorecard.Figure 4. Integrating measures across functions, business units and regions.
Drawing from the Total Quality Management, Baldrige Program and Balanced
Scorecard perspectives, Matherly and Fry (2005) and Fry and Matherly (2007)
introduced a framework for linking leading and lagging indicators to the strategic
management process in order to develop a strategic scorecard. In Figure 5, the
strategic management process is shown, beginning with the development of a
mission and vision, followed by an internal and external analysis, which results
in strategic action plans and objectives. These objectives are the basis for the
measures that are selected on a balanced scorecard. Generally, the more strategic
the level of the scorecard in the organizational chart, the more results oriented and
lagging are the specific measures that are reported in the scorecard. For example,
a firm’s quality, delivery and costs are leading indicators of customer satisfaction,
which in turn, impact financial performance. These outputs are key factors in
determining customer satisfaction, which in turn affects financial performance.
Figure 5. Linking leading and lagging indicators to the strategic management process.
Both Kaplan and Norton (1992) and Baldrige (Mahoney and Thor 1994)
recognize the essential and pivotal role that employees play in the achievement
Figure 4. Integrating measures across functions, business units and regions.
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Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion 289
of quality and internal, operational results that then impact customer satisfaction
and financial results. In fact, Kaplan and Norton (1996) assert that the learning
and growth perspective is the driver for achieving performance outcomes in the
other categories. Three principal categories, that demonstrate a firm’s commit-
ment to investing in the capability of their employees, systems and organizational
processes, are included in the learning and growth perspective: (1) employee
capabilities, (2) information system capabilities, and (3) motivation, empower-
ment, and alignment.
Likewise, the Baldrige Award Criteria (2004) recognize that the knowledge,
skills, creativity and motivation of all employees is central to an organization’s
success; therefore, valuing employees by committing to employee satisfaction,
development, learning and well-being will result in higher quality products and
services. According to Baldrige, organizational and personal learning will lead to
a more flexible, responsive and efficient organization, which will result in a
sustainable distinctive competency and market advantage.
The Spiritual Leadership Balanced Scorecard Business Model
The value of employee participation and empowerment in decision making is
not new. At the turn of the twentieth century, Fayol and Follett argued against
using a centralized, hierarchical model for organizations. In his principles of
Figure 5. Linking leading and lagging indicators to the strategic management process.
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290 L.W. Fry et al.
management, Fayol (1984) maintained that authority should not be concentrated
at the top of the organizational hierarchy, that it was important for long-term
employees to develop the skills required to improve organizational efficiency,
and that managers should encourage the development of esprit de corps or
enthusiasm to a common cause. Follett asserted that the power and leadership in
organizations should stem, not from a manager’s position of authority, but from
knowledge and expertise (Parker, 1984). The theme of the importance of
employee participation and motivation continued throughout the twentieth
century and the history of management and leadership.
More recently, in the 1980s, the emphasis on total quality management brought
about a renewed prescription for management to decentralize decision-making
authority and empower individuals and teams with the authority needed to make
processes more efficient and effective. More and more, empowerment, quality and
continuous improvement are viewed as a necessary component of employee and
organizational learning (Conger and Kanungo 1988; Baldrige Award 1992;
Kaplan and Norton 1992, 1996, 2004b; Ford and Fottler 1995; Spreitzer 1996).
In calling for a scientific inquiry in workplace spirituality, Giacalone and
Jurkiewicz, (2003) and Giacalone et al. (2005) identify several weaknesses that
must be addressed if this newly emerging paradigm is to be a source of employee
empowerment and achieve acceptance among the scientific community. Two of
these, lack of a theory-based definition and inadequate measurement tools, are
beginning to be addressed by research on spiritual leadership theory. To date, the
theory of spiritual leadership (Fry 2003, 2005, 2008) has been studied, tested,
and validated in a diverse array of organizations including secondary schools, a
university, military units, city governments, police, and for profit organizations.
Results so far support a significant positive influence of spiritual leadership
through spiritual well-being on employee life satisfaction, organizational
commitment and productivity, various measures of work unit performance, and
sales growth (Malone and Fry 2003; Fry et al. 2005, in press; Fry and Matherly
2006; Fry and Slocum 2008).
By impacting employee performance, and collectively, team and organiza-
tional performance, spiritual leadership provides the foundation for developing
the learning, creativity, empowerment, and innovation required to drive organi-
zational excellence in processes and outputs. Spiritual leadership comprises the
values, attitudes, and behaviors necessary to intrinsically motivate one’s self and
satisfy fundamental needs for spiritual well-being through calling (a sense that
one makes a difference and their life has meaning) and membership (a sense that
one is understood and appreciated), which positively influences organizational
commitment and productivity, psychological well-being, life satisfaction, and
corporate social responsibility (Fry 2005). A general model of spiritual leader-
ship is given in Figure 1.
Spiritual leadership requires:
(1) An organizational vision in which leaders and followers experience a
sense of calling so their lives have purpose, meaning and make a difference.
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Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion 291
(2) An organizational culture based on the values of altruistic love so lead-
ers and followers have a sense of membership, belonging, feel understood
and appreciated, and have genuine care, concern, and appreciation for
both self and others.
Referencing Figure 1, the source of spiritual leadership is an inner life or spir-
itual practice that, as a fundamental source of inspiration and insight, positively
influences development of (1) hope/faith in a transcendent vision of service to
key stakeholders, and (2) the values of altruistic love. Inner life speaks to the
feeling individuals have about the fundamental meaning of who they are, what
they are doing, and the contributions they are making (Vail 1998; Duchon and
Plowman 2005). Inner life includes individual practices (e.g. meditation, prayer,
religious practices, yoga, journaling, and walking in nature) and organizational
contexts (e.g. rooms for inner silence and reflection) to help individuals be more
self-aware and conscious from moment-to-moment and draw strength from their
beliefs, be that a Nondual Being, Higher Power, God, or philosophical teachings
(Fry and Kriger 2009).
Spiritual leadership fosters spiritual well-being, which then positively influ-
ences, employee life satisfaction, corporate responsibility, organizational
commitment and productivity, and financial performance – the triple bottom line
(Fry and Slocum 2008). The triple bottom line captures the essence of sustain-
ability by measuring the impact of an organization on its key stakeholders. A
positive triple bottom line reflects an increase in the organization’s value, includ-
ing its human and societal capital as well as its profitability and economic
growth. It can serve as a balanced scorecard that captures in numbers and words
the degree to which any organization is or is not creating value for its sharehold-
ers, employees, and for society. Figure 6 gives the Spiritual Leadership Balanced
Scorecard Business Model.
Figure 6. The Spiritual Leadership Balanced Scorecard Business Model.
The Spiritual Leadership Balanced Scorecard Business Model draws from the
latest developments in both the Baldrige and Balanced Scorecard approaches to
performance excellence. It strongly emphasizes stakeholder satisfaction and spir-
itual leadership as key to maximizing the triple bottom line. The strategic
management process begins with the development of a vision, purpose, and
mission, followed by an internal and external stakeholder analysis. This analysis
forms the basis for the development of organizational strategic objectives and
action plans. These comprise the quality, stakeholder satisfaction, and financial
measures found in the Balanced Scorecard performance categories.
Employee learning and growth is the central Balanced Scorecard performance
category because it is a leading indicator that drives the other performance cate-
gories. As shown by the dotted line, employees who have a sense of well-being
and are committed, productive, and socially responsible will strive to continuously
improve organizational processes and produce quality products and services that
satisfy key customers and other stakeholders which, ultimately, drives financial
performance. In turn, the Learning and Growth outcomes are lagging indicators
that are driven by the Organizational Spiritual Leadership process.
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292 L.W. Fry et al.
The Spiritual Leadership Balanced Scorecard Business Model utilizes a
vision and values-driven stakeholder approach to achieve congruence across the
individual, team and organizational levels that fosters high levels of employee
well-being, stakeholder satisfaction and financial performance. This process is
initiated by developing a vision that, in conjunction with the organization’s
purpose and mission, forms the foundation for relating to and meeting or exceed-
ing the expectations key stakeholders. Through vision, hope/faith and a culture
grounded in the values of altruistic love, strong intrinsic motivation is established
among leaders and followers. This intrinsic motivation facilitates the integration
of individuals and teams with the organization’s vision and values. Through this
integration, empowered teams emerge, allowing workers to utilize their talents
and abilities to effectively deal with key strategic stakeholder issues. Therefore,
Spiritual Leadership is ultimately the driver of the learning and growth perfor-
mance category that produces continuous improvement in operations and the
development of high-quality products and services. This in turn generates high
levels of customer satisfaction, leading to better financial performance; and
sustainable organizations that maximize the triple bottom line.
Applying the Spirit Leadership Balanced Scorecard Business Model: the
Cordon Bleu-Tomasso Corporation
We will now consider the Cordon Bleu-Tomasso Corporation as an illustrative
case of an organization that is well along the path of transforming itself through
Figure 6. The Spiritual Leadership Balanced Scorecard Business Model.
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Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion 293
spiritual leadership and in the initial stages of implementing the Spiritual Lead-
ership Balanced Scorecard Business Model. The company is a well-established
Canadian food processing company with annual sales of over 200 million
dollars. The company employs over 400 people and is a private company and
part of Holding O.C.B., Inc., a financial group owned by Dr. Robert Ouimet.
Founded in 1933 by Robert Ouimet’s father, Cordon Bleu-Tomasso is Canada’s
largest manufacturer of frozen dinners and entrées. Its customers include most of
this country’s major retail food chains and its products can be found in the
frozen-food section of supermarkets from coast to coast. To maintain its market
position in such a highly competitive industry, it strives for continuous growth in
quality and innovation as well as in productivity, sales and profits. Since the
founding of the company, sales growth and profits have been superior to those of
the industry.
Under Robert’s leadership, Cordon Bleu-Tomasso developed an innovative
human and economic Integrated System of Management Activities (ISMAs).
The company continues to be an active laboratory where, since 1990, the inno-
vative economic and human ISMAs continue to be experimented on and devel-
oped in the management of this fast growing Canadian frozen food processing
company (Our Project 2010). Tomasso also accepts its corporate social respon-
sibility to protect the environment and to contribute to the human, material, and
spiritual development of their country. Not all the officers and workers in the
company take part in the activities of the ISMAs. They are quite free not to.
Others take part to the degree they choose to, and when they choose to. But the
activities are made available to all on a pluralistic basis, and the company is
explicit in deeming the programs an important benefit for all who want to take
advantage of them.
What follows is an initial assessment of the Cordon Bleu-Tomasso Corpora-
tion using the Spiritual Leadership Balanced Scorecard Business Model (see
Figure 6). First, we will outline Cordon Bleu-Tomasso’s approach in manage-
ment of human well-being with productivity and profits through the two sets of
economic and human ISMAs. Next, we perform an initial assessment of Cordon
Bleu-Tomasso’s economic and human ISMA’s in terms of spiritual leadership
and the Spiritual Leadership Balanced Scorecard Business Model. Finally,
suggestions are offered for how Cordon Bleu-Tomasso may build upon its
current effort to create a world-class company that operates through the Spiritual
Leadership Balanced Scorecard Business Model while continuing to reconcile
human well-being with productivity and profits through management activities
that emphasize workplace spirituality with openness to religion and transcen-
dence in full freedom.
Implementing workplace spirituality and spiritual leadership at the
Cordon Bleu-Tomasso Corporation
According to Robert Ouimet, the key to successfully implementing workplace
spirituality and spiritual leadership through an experiment like that at Cordon
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294 L.W. Fry et al.
Bleu-Tomasso is a total commitment to personal liberty, an absence of any
form of coercion and proselytism, with calm patience and the long view in
trying out new suggestions from employees regarding future improvements or
corrections and additions. A low-key and soft approach is best – not only best,
but mandatory. The slightest hint of moral pressure should be avoided
completely and totally in the work place. The atmosphere must have the crystal
clear air of freedom and personal choice and although there must be authentic
desire by the board of directors and the management who implement this inno-
vative program to give priority to the primacy of human dignity. There is also
the absolute necessity that each manager of the organization be authentic and
humble.
The CEO who puts the program into effect must be willing to often be silent
and let others take the lead. He must show wisdom, patience and breadth of
vision. He must be an advocate for the sensibilities and liberty of all who work
in the company. He should lead by behavior, not by words. He should be a person
counting constantly on the strength and wisdom from God love or the transcen-
dence of his or her choice. At Cordon Bleu-Tomasso, being a privately held
company makes the experiment easier to execute with patience and the long
view. Chief executive officers in publicly owned companies normally face far
shorter-focus rewards and tenure, and are likely to proceed with lesser confi-
dence in the possibility of continuity and company-wide support. To be success-
ful in these companies, the trust and the leadership and getting the economic and
human ISMAs working together with the help of the from the board of directors
and, if necessary, from a few influential shareholders. Following are Cordon
Bleu-Tomasso’s dream (vision), mission and values.
Cordon Bleu-Tomasso’s dream
Joyful & Passionate People serving Enthusiastic Customers
To lend full meaning to our work and to our lives …
… by nurturing each others’ happiness and well-being.
… by shining God’s love upon those with whom we work each day,
upon our families, our customers and everyone we encounter in the life of our
enterprise.
… by respecting the diversity and the dignity of each person we work alongside.
… by living – in full freedom – universally authentic human, spiritual and religious
values.
… by sustaining a safe, healthy work environment where ideas flourish,
teamwork and initiative are encouraged and success is rewarded.
To be a world class leader and the “go to” supplier in the development and manu-
facture of top quality consumer meal solutions …
… by maintaining the highest standards for quality and food safety.
… by meeting our customers’ changing expectations for product innovation.
… by controlling costs and offering consistently high quality products at reason-
able prices.
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Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion 295
Cordon Bleu-Tomasso’s mission
As a highly respected, economically competitive, provider of quality frozen dinners
and entrées,
centred on and driven by our people
in cooperation with God,
to innovatively generate continuous growth …
in human well-being,
in sales and earnings.
Cordon Bleu-Tomasso’s values
Solidarity, Brotherhood
No “us versus them”. No “big bosses”.
Together … we are the company.
We share a common dream, a common mission.
We accept, therefore, the spiritual obligation to love and care for everyone – more
today than yesterday.
Authenticity, Humility …
… everyday … in everything we do.
Listening to Others, Growth of Human Dignity
No one is a number … or a cog in a wheel.
Everyone deserves to be treated with respect.
We are – each of us – inhabited and loved by God.
We are ends in ourselves … and not means to some other end. Hope and Faith in
the Love, Wisdom and Caring of God …
… as freely lived by each of us in our own personal rhythm and way
These statements directly relate to the components in the spiritual leadership
process. In particular they relate Cordon Bleu-Tomasso’s dream (a transcendent
vision of service to key stakeholders) and the values of care and concern (altru-
istic love) for both the company and its people to meaning in work (calling) and
a sense of brotherhood/solidarity (membership).
Cordon Bleu-Tomasso’s economic and human ISMAs
All of the company’s activities reflect human, spiritual and economic priorities.
These priorities have been established to enhance the ongoing well-being of each
person within the two columns and within the five outer circles given in Figures
7 and 8. The Keystone and the Centre Circle encompass the personal values of
each individual in relation to his or her choice of Transcendence … the Creator,
the Supreme Being (the Higher Power), God of Love, God the Father, the Son
and the Holy Spirit, Allah, Jehovah, Buddha or any other opening to Transcen-
dence … and his or her goal and reason for being. The Keystone given in Figure
7 and the Centre Circle given in Figure 8 make possible in daily management the
reconciliation of the often conflicting objectives of the two columns and of the
five outer circles.
Figure 7. The keystone and the two columns that link the two ISMAs.Figure 8. The six circles.
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296 L.W. Fry et al.
Cordon Bleu-Tomasso’s economic ISMA
To maintain its strong position in such a highly competitive industry, Cordon
Bleu-Tomasso must strive for continuous growth in quality, innovation, produc-
tivity, sales and profits. Therefore, the economic ISMA is central for Cordon
Bleu-Tomasso to be able to make all of the ongoing investments necessary to
become and remain competitive as Canada’s low-cost manufacturer. This
requires that:
(1) For the benefit of everyone at Cordon Bleu-Tomasso (and of our fami-
lies), and also of those outside the company with whom we do business,
we must maintain a level of profitability and productivity at least equal to
that of our competitors. As a financially solid organization, we will be
able to generate and invest the capital required to support ongoing devel-
opment and to secure our collective future.
(2) Our vision is to be recognised, across North America, as a world class
leader and the “go to” supplier in the development and manufacture of
frozen dinners and entrées.
(3) We must provide our customers products of the highest quality, delivered
on time, at prices consistent with the expectations of the people who
consume them. At all times, our products must conform to the directives
of the appropriate government bodies.
(4) Our company seeks to distinguish itself first and foremost through the
competence, the authenticity and the desire to work within a team of each
Figure 7. The keystone and the two columns that link the two ISMAs.
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Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion 297
of its people; by the quality of our products and services; through techno-
logical innovation and efficient production; through a continuing commit-
ment to research and development.
(5) We favour highly organized, strongly disciplined but flexible management
characterized by the decentralization of responsibilities and authority. This
permits us to act quickly and cohesively and to promote the initiative and
participation of everyone in the company.
(6) We accept our responsibility to protect the environment and to contribute
to the economic and social development of the country.
Cordon Bleu-Tomasso’s human ISMA
As illustrated by the Keystone and the Two Columns, the happiness and well-
being, individual and collective, of everyone at Cordon Bleu-Tomasso Corpora-
tion is one of the two pillars (columns) of their organization. In concert with the
Economic ISMA and the Keystone, this human ISMA is one of fundamental
reasons for the company’s existence. In particular, Cordon Bleu-Tomasso will:
Figure 8. The six circles.
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298 L.W. Fry et al.
(1) Offer fair and equitable wages and benefits which compare favourably to
those of other companies of similar size and type;
(2) Provide safe and secure working conditions for each person and, as much
as possible, foster the growth and development of the individual and
collective values that exist within the company;
(3) Promote a just and equitable working environment and respect the dignity
of each person. There can exist no discrimination or harassment. People
will work together in a beautiful and healthy climate of individual and
collective freedom and thought;
(4) Offer during work hours, to those who so desire, possibilities to discover
and to develop through the years, within ourselves and among each other,
our fundamental and essential values: solidarity and brotherhood, peace
and serenity, humility and reconciliation between people; also justice and
equity, authenticity and honesty between and among everyone in the
enterprise. Over the years, we will be offered the opportunity to partici-
pate together in the varied activities of our Human ISMA (Integrated
System of Management Activities). These activities include, among
others, a gesture, personal testimonials, a room for silence and reflection,
annual personal bilateral meetings, the community meal, a monthly spiri-
tual support group, small group meetings with the president, the accompa-
niment of laid-off people, as well as training meetings on the Human
ISMA and Our Project.
For those who wish to participate, these Human ISMA activities will
gradually promote the development of the above-mentioned values …
necessary values that can support growth in faith and hope (in whatever
form), in a spirit of charity, love, compassion, welcoming others, and
cooperation in the workplace. All this, of course, in a healthy climate of
individual and collective freedom.
(5) Make every effort to give full, lasting meaning to our daily work. Work
exists for man and woman; and not man and woman for work. The lasting
meaning, the lasting fruit, of our work – solidarity and fraternity in our
workplace – will allow us, at the end of each day, to return home to our
families with more love, compassion, serenity, courage and wisdom.
(6) Accept our responsibility to contribute to the human, material and spiri-
tual development of our country.
Relating Cordon Bleu-Tomasso’s human ISMA to spiritual leadership
Table 1, which is an expansion of the table from Fry (2005), gives a comparison
of Cordon Bleu-Tomasso’s values, which are defined in Table 2, revealing
considerable overlap with the values of spiritual leadership as well as with other
scholarly fields relating to spiritual well-being.
The Cordon Bleu-Tomasso values of hope/faith, love, dignity, humility, truth/
authenticity, prudence, discernment, listening to others, justice, and freedom/
responsibility relate directly to the values of spiritual leadership. Not included in
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Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion 299
the table are the peace/serenity and efficiency/productivity values, which are
viewed in Spiritual Leadership Theory (SLT) as outcomes of spiritual well-being
(Fry 2005). Brotherhood and solidarity is viewed as similar to membership.
Similar to the process used for implementing spiritual leadership (Fry 2005,
2008), Cordon Bleu-Tomasso gives all employees a survey (25 items every two
years) to measure the performance of its human ISMA while also gathering
measures of its economic ISMA. Appendix 1 gives the analysis of the Cordon
Bleu-Tomasso survey items to the SLT survey measures. As expected, many of
the Cordon Bleu-Tomasso survey questions (19 of 25) directly relate to spiritual
leadership variables. However, there are no questions that measure vision, i.e.
the extent to which strategic leaders and the organization serve key stakehold-
ers, encourage hope and faith, establish a standard of excellence and define the
destination and journey that reflects high ideals. Nor are there items that speak
to life satisfaction. In addition, there is one question that pertains to inner life,
hope/faith and calling. Inner life is the extent to which one has and seeks an
inner spiritual awareness. Hope and faith relate to the effort and works that are
required to endure, persevere and do what it takes to reach stretch goals while
calling is defined as the extent to which one’s life has meaning and makes a
difference.
Relating Cordon Bleu-Tomasso’s economic ISMA to the Spiritual
Leadership Balanced Scorecard
Interviews with Cordon Bleu-Tomasso’s President and direct reports reveal that
the basic information technology is in place so that it would be relatively straight-
forward to:
(1) Define metrics.
(2) Collect data on all SLT variables.
(3) Develop a manual balanced scorecard in Excel for Cordon Bleu-Tomasso
working with the metrics owners.
(4) Develop data input forms and calculations.
(5) Produce a report over 12 months with Year to Date and Targets that can
be maintained by the finance manager on an ongoing basis.
A sample spiritual leadership balanced scorecard for Cordon Bleu-Tomasso
is shown in Table 3 that the President and his direct reports would use to lead and
manage Cordon Bleu-Tomasso through Spiritual Leadership to reconcile human
well-being with productivity and profits through an emphasis on the economic
and human ISMAs with openness to religion and transcendence in full freedom.
Discussion and conclusion
There is increasing public pressure from stakeholders for Boards of Directors and
CEOs to more closely monitor the organization and its subsystems. Traditional
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300 L.W. Fry et al.
Table 1. Comparison of human ISMA with spiritual leadership and other scholarly fields emphasizing values relating to spiritual well-
being.
Spiritual leadership
(Fry 2003)
Cordon Bleu-
Tomasso human
ISMA
Workplace spirituality
(Giacalone and
Jurkiewicz 2003)
Religion (Smith
1991; Kriger and
Hanson 1999)
Character ethics and
education
(Josephson 2002)
Positive psychology
(Snyder and Lopez
2001)
Vision
Hope/faith
Altruistic Love:
Trust/loyalty
Forgiveness/
Acceptance/
gratitude
Integrity
Honesty
Courage
Kindness
Empathy/
compassion
Patience/
meekness/
endurance/
excellence
Fun
Hope/faith
Love
Humility
Dignity
Justice
Listening to others
Responsibility/
freedom
Prudence/
discernment
Truth/authenticity
Honesty
Forgiveness
Hope
Gratitude
Humility
Compassion
Integrity
Vision of service/
letting go of self
Honesty
Veracity/
truthfulness
Charity
Humility
Forgiveness
Compassion
Thankfulness/
gratitude
Trustworthiness
Honesty
Integrity
Reliability
(Promise Keeping)
Loyalty
Respect
Civility
Courtesy
Decency
Dignity
Autonomy
Tolerance
Acceptance
Responsibility
Accountability
Excellence
Diligence
Perseverance
Continuous
Improvement
Fairness
Process
Impartiality
Equity
Caring
Citizenship
Optimism
Hope
Humility
Compassion
Forgiveness
Gratitude
Love
Altruism
Empathy
Toughness
Meaningfulness
Humor
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Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion 301
Table 2. The Cordon Bleu-Tomasso values fostered by the economic and human ISMAs.
Values group Values measured Definitions of the values measured
1dignity (a) respect due to all people
(b) a person’s inner state, untroubled by conflicts, worry, or disharmony; harmonious
relationships within a group or society
2peace (a) a person’s inner state, untroubled by conflicts, worry, or disharmony; harmoni-
ous relationships within a group or society
(b) a sign of brotherhood or reconciliation
serenity The tranquility that comes from moral or inner, unagitated peace.
3brotherhood The quality of the relationship among people working in the company.
solidarity Relationships among people who are conscious of their common interests; in awareness
leading to the moral obligation for everyone to help everyone.
4humility A proper esteem for oneself in one’s manner of being and in one’s relationship to others and
to the absolute. Humility blocks pride and accepts or chooses giving up one’s own will,
according to the circumstances; it brings freedom to maturity in the way of living with
tensions and conflicts, it uproots self-sufficiency that keeps one from recognizing the
absolute (god love) who is present in everyone and in commitments to be of service to
neighbors and society.
5truth (a) That which the mind can and must assent to.
(b) Knowledge that has the highest value.
(c) The agreement between the aimed at goal, or the envisioned human good, and
a person’s behavior.
authenticity The quality of a person or his or her attitudes that expresses a deep truth about that person,
not superficial attitudes or conventions.
6prudence A mental attitude which allows for reflecting on the extent and consequences of one’s acts,
for choosing the appropriate means to attain goals, for taking the necessary measures to
avoid errors, and for rejecting everything that one thinks might be harmful.
discernment A mental disposition for clearly evaluating things and their evolution.
7listening to others Paying attention to people and the messages they communicate.
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302 L.W. Fry et al.
Table 2. (Continued).
Values group Values measured Definitions of the values measured
8justice The firm and unshakable intention to recognize and to promote each person’s fundamental
human rights.
9faith Confidence and belief.
hope The ability to wait and yet to have confidence in reaching one’s goals based on important
values.
10 freedom A person’s capacity to initiate action, to choose among alternatives, to control behavior, and
to accept moral responsibility.
responsibility The competence and action that require one to fulfill one’s duty, to keep one’s word, and to
right a wrong.
11 love The desire for what appears to be the most valuable thing (to feel loved and appreciated)
and to put it into practice, especially the desire to do for others what is good and just.
12 efficiency The ability to produce the most results with the least effort, while giving the highest value
to resources.
productivity The ability to produce while increasing efficiency so as to be competitive.
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Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion 303
Table 3. Proposed spiritual leadership balanced scorecard for Cordon Bleu-Tomasso Corporation.
PROPOSED BALANCED SCORECARD
12345678910111213YTDTarget
Finance
Debt/Equity
Current Ratio
% Team Discounts
Average Days Receivable
Average Days Payable
Human Development
% Absenteeism
% Turnover
Average Days Lost Accident
Average Number of Accidents
% Agree Inner Life
% Agree Vision
% Agree Altruistic Love
% Agree Hope/Faith
% Agree Calling/Meaning
% Agree Membership
% Agree Life Satisfaction
Research & Development
$ Sales New Products vs. Plan
Profits New Products vs. Plan
Operations
% Agree Commitment
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304 L.W. Fry et al.
Table 3. (Continued).
PROPOSED BALANCED SCORECARD
12345678910111213YTDTarget
% Agree Productivity
% Waste
% Efficiency
% Defective
% Order Accuracy
% On-Time Delivery
# Complaints
Sales and Marketing
$ Sales
% Sales Growth Previous Year
% Sales vs. Budget
Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability
% Stakeholder satisfaction
% Reduced Purchase & Consumption of Ozone-depleting
Substances
Efficiency of Non-renewable Resource Recovery and Use
Proportion of Energy from Fossil and Non-Fossil Fuel Sources
Percent of Recyclable Materials Actually Recycled
Percent of Job Descriptions Including Sustainable Development
Percent of Departments/Divisions Adopting Sustainable
Development in strategic plans, mission statements, visions, etc.
Compliance With Environmental Regulations
Volunteer Rate
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Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion 305
financial accounting systems do not include key competitive competencies such
as quality, service, flexibility, dependability, and customer satisfaction and
employee resources. The imperatives dictated by global competition and
constant change require bottom-up empowerment, real-time information from
customers and processes and an organizational transformation to a learning orga-
nizational paradigm.
Recognizing that ideas for continuous improvement are often initiated by
those employees who are closest to the internal processes and the firm’s custom-
ers, Kaplan and Norton (1996, p. 128) call for a “major reskilling of employees
so that their minds and creative abilities can be mobilized for achieving organi-
zational objectives”. In other words, executives need to transform front-line
employees from routine performers of standard operating procedures into proac-
tive, valued and committed problem solvers and change agents who take appro-
priate actions to ensure organizational success?
Since customer needs and market conditions can change without warning, the
intellectual capital and core skills required to thrive may change as well. The
learning and growth balanced scorecard category focuses on employee well-
being and commitment, and corporate social responsibility. These indicators in
addition other such as absenteeism and turnover reflect how well a firm utilizes
human resources. Moreover, leaders must also provide employees with the
knowledge of how their jobs are relevant to the organization’s performance and
vision/mission. This understanding is necessary to implement the triple bottom
line by integrating individual jobs, teams, and business units with the organiza-
tion’s vision/mission to successfully implement strategy, and hence, survive and
thrive in today’s global economy.
Spiritual leadership provides employees with both the knowledge to contrib-
ute to the organization and the power to make consequential decisions and the
necessary resources to do their jobs. It also creates the context for employees to
receive the altruistic love that, in turn, forms the basis for intrinsic motivation
through hope/faith in the organization’s vision in socially responsible service to
internal and external stakeholders. The Spiritual Leadership Balanced Scorecard
Business Model assumes that the learning and growth of employees – from the
chief executive level to the operational level – is central to effective and efficient
internal operations, quality products and services, subsequent customer satisfac-
tion and ultimately financial performance. A focus on organizational spiritual
leadership as it relates to learning and growth is therefore essential for organiza-
tions that wish to be successful and thrive. Organizational spiritual leadership
through the learning and growth category is ultimately the driver of continuous
improvement in operations and high quality products and services that lead to
higher levels of customer satisfaction, which then leads to better financial perfor-
mance – in other words, conscious, stakeholder focused, sustainable organiza-
tions that maximize the triple bottom line.
However, in the quest to reconcile human well-being with productivity and
profits, through an emphasis on workplace spirituality, it is important to avoid
the negative consequences of a hostile work environment that may result when
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306 L.W. Fry et al.
employers’ emphasize religion in the workplace (Montagne 2004; Lips-Wiersma
et al. 2009). Many feel that viewing workplace spirituality through the lens of
religious traditions and practice is divisive in that, to the extent the religion views
itself as the only path to God and salvation, it excludes those who do not share
in the denominational tradition (Cavenaugh 1999). Furthermore, religious prac-
tices often conflict with the social, legal, and ethical foundations of business,
law, and public and non-profit administration (Nadesan 1999). Thus, religion can
lead to arrogance that a particular company, faith, or society is better, morally
superior, or more worthy than another (Nash 1994). Imbuing religion into work-
place spirituality can foster zealotry at the expense of organizational goals,
offend constituents and customers, and decrease morale and employee well-
being (Giacalone and Jurkiewicz 2003; Giacalone et al. 2005). Accentuating the
line between religion and spirituality in regards to workplace spirituality is essen-
tial in honoring the integrity of both disciplines.
Cordon Bleu-Tomasso is able to avoid these pitfalls through its bi-annual
survey and by allowing openness to religion and transcendence in full freedom
through adherence to its core values and the following principle as the underpin-
ning for its key activities:
All actors in the company’s life freely interpret the value of Transcendence in their
own way. This value occupies the 6th circle in the center of the illustration of the
6 circles and the keystone in the illustration of the ISMA. Transcendence can mean
the Creator; the Higher Power; God Love; God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;
Allah; Jehovah; Buddha; or any other openings to Transcendence. To this value of
Transcendence can be added, for those who so desire and according to their
personal choices, different forms of reflection, meditation, and for some silent and
personal prayer during work. This is quite possible without stopping work.
Cordon Bleu-Tomasso’s task for implementing the economic ISMA, given it
has the basic information technology in place to report the necessary detailed
functional data (an overwhelming task for large bureaucratic organizations), is
relatively straightforward. Most importantly, there is a need to develop a process
to capture and report strategic this type of data in order to implement the Spiritual
Leadership Balanced Scorecard Business Model. This would entail:
Phase 1: Develop a manual balanced scorecard (usually in Excel) working
with the functional “metrics owners”.
●Define metrics.
●Develop data input forms and calculations for each area.
●Produce final report over 12 months with Year to Date and Targets, i.e. fill
in available data and begin to collect other data.
●Turn this over to their Finance Manager to maintain on an ongoing basis.
●Facilitate strategic planning meeting to benchmark targets and determine
performance gaps.
Phase 2: Deliver continuous improvement, quality and leadership training.
Phase 3: Develop an automated balanced scorecard with charting and reports.
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Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion 307
●Determine level of detail per measurement.
●Design data input forms.
●Develop charts that would greatly enhance their ability to analyze and inter-
pret the data.
●We would need to sit down with IT, but I believe it would take about 5–6
days more of our time to define user requirements and test.
Relative to its human ISMA, Cordon Bleu-Tomasso has made considerable
progress toward implementing the Spiritual Leadership Balanced Scorecard
Business Model, although our analysis demonstrates that the Cordon Bleu-
Tomasso survey does not capture the full range or domain of the spiritual
leadership model and thus omits some key variables that have been shown in
our research to be necessary to significantly impact employee well-being, orga-
nizational commitment and productivity and thus should be modified to provide
the data necessary to implement and monitor the effectiveness of its human
ISMA.
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Appendix 1
Cordon Bleu-Tomasso survey results as components of spiritual leadership
Overview
As expected, many of the Cordon Bleu-Tomasso survey questions (18 of 25) directly
relate to spiritual leadership variables. However, there are no questions that measure
vision, i.e. the extent to which strategic leaders and the organization serve key stakehold-
ers, encourage hope and faith, establish a standard of excellence and define the destina-
tion and journey that reflects high ideals. In addition, there is only one question that
pertains to hope/faith and one question measuring meaning/calling. Hope and faith relate
to the effort and works that are required to endure, persevere and do what it takes to reach
stretch goals while meaning and calling are defined as the extent to which one’s life has
meaning and makes a difference.
In our experience, it is more important to look at the percentage of agree/strongly
agree responses than the overall average of an item. Agree/strongly agree percentages
greater than 60% are indicators of high levels of spiritual leadership and significantly
predict organizational commitment and effectiveness. Lower percentages usually indi-
cate areas in need of improvement and further investigation. I suggest you analyze the
percentage of respondents by agreement category to get a more complete picture of the
results.
Classifying the ratings for each dimension into low and high levels will indicate those
areas where improvement is needed as well as those areas where Cordon Bleu-Tomasso
is performing well. Comparable averages for the 60% agree and above responses would
be 3.5 for a five-point scale or 1.25 for the Cordon Bleu-Tomasso survey. For Cordon
Bleu-Tomasso’s 2004 survey, 10 of the 18 questions (Items 1, 8, 10, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19,
20, 21) were above this 1.25 threshold. Questions 2, 6, 7, 9, 13, 22, 23, and 24 did not
reach this level.
Below, the Cordon Bleu-Tomasso questions are organized by Spiritual Leadership
Theory variables and noted as high or low.
Dimensions
Cordon Bleu-
Tomasso Question #s Rating
Spiritual Leadership
Vision None
Hope/faith* 24 Low
Altruistic love 8, 10, 17, 20 High
9 Low
Spiritual Survival/Well-Being
Meaning/calling* 19 High
Membership 21 High
22, 23 Low
Organizational outcomes
Commitment 14, 15, 18 High
Productivity 1 High
2, 6, 7, 13 Low
* Two or more questions should be added for adequate tests for reliability and validity.
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310 L.W. Fry et al.
In general, this analysis demonstrates that the Cordon Bleu-Tomasso survey does not
capture the full range or domain of spiritual leadership and well-being and thus omits
some key variables that have been shown in our research to be necessary to significantly
impact organizational commitment and productivity.
There are several benefits to Cordon Bleu-Tomasso for including the 37 spiritual
leadership (SL) items in its next periodic survey.
(1) The SL survey offers a more comprehensive, valid and reliable measurement
process by including the full range of variables necessary for identifying and
addressing key issues that impact organizational commitment and productivity
(see the attached SL overview and SL power point from our initial presentation).
(2) It would allow you to establish an internal benchmark/ baseline. It would also
allow you to track your progress of key issues such as the maintenance of Cordon
Bleu-Tomasso’s strong culture as Cordon Bleu-Tomasso pursues a holding
company, growth strategy.
(3) Cordon Bleu-Tomasso would be included in our growing database of other
companies. This would allow Cordon Bleu-Tomasso to benchmark itself to other
organizations as it moves further along in its quest to become and stay world
class.
Cordon Bleu-Tomasso survey questions compared to Spiritual Leadership
survey questions
Spiritual leadership (SL) questions are listed first under each SL variable. Questions from
the Cordon Bleu-Tomasso survey that are similar to SL variables are then underlined.
Spritual Leadership survey questions
Inner life – the extent to which one has and seeks an inner spiritual awareness.
(1) I feel hopeful about life.
(2) I consider myself a spiritual person.
(3) I care about the spiritual health of my co-workers.
(4) I maintain a spiritual practice (e.g. spending time in nature, prayer, meditation,
reading inspirational literature, yoga, observing religious traditions, writing in a
journal).
(5) My spiritual values influence the choices I make.
Yes 25 Yes or no, would you like silence and meditation room stay in your work envi-
ronment?
Vision – describes the organization’s journey and why we are taking it; defines who we
are and what we do.
(1) I understand and am committed to my organization’s vision.
(2) My work-group has a vision statement that brings out the best in me.
(3) My organization’s vision inspires my best performance.
(4) I have faith in my organization’s vision for its employees.
(5) My organization’s vision is clear and compelling to me.
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Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion 311
Hope/faith – the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction that the organization’s
vision/purpose/ mission will be fulfilled.
(1) I have faith in my organization and I am willing to “do whatever it takes” to
ensure that it accomplishes its mission.
(2) I persevere and exert extra effort to help my organization succeed because I have
faith in what it stands for.
(3) I always do my best win my work because I have faith in my organization and its
leaders.
(4) I set challenging goals for my work because I have faith in my organization and
want us to succeed.
(5) I demonstrate my faith in my organization and its mission by doing everything I
can to help us succeed.
Low 24. I always have the possibility of participating or getting involved in projects that
interest me.
Altruistic love – a sense of wholeness, harmony, and well-being produced through care,
concern, and appreciation for both self and others.
(1) My organization really cares about its people.
(2) My organization is kind and considerate toward its workers, and when they are
suffering, want to do something about it.
(3) The leaders in my organization “walk the walk” as well as “talk the talk”.
(4) My organization is trustworthy and loyal to its employees.
(5) My organization does not punish honest mistakes.
(6) The leaders in my organization are honest and without false pride.
(7) The leaders in my organization have the courage to stand up for their people.
High 8. The relationship with my superior is excellent and pleasant. I know where I am
going.
Low 9. Communications with other departments are excellent and we can always count
on their collaboration. Never any barriers.
High 10. Communications within my work group are excellent and I entertain easy and
agreeable relationships with my colleagues.
High 17. At Cordon Bleu-Tomasso, employees are treated with much more trust and
mutual respect than in other companies I know.
High 20. I am strongly encouraged to express my opinions, comments and suggestions.
Meaning/calling – a sense that one’s life has meaning and makes a difference.
(1) The work I do is very important to me.
(2) My job activities are personally meaningful to me.
(3) The work I do is meaningful to me.
(4) The work I do makes a difference in people’s lives.
High 19. Since the moment I arrived at Cordon Bleu-Tomasso, I believe that what I lived
positively contributed to my development and to my personal growth.
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312 L.W. Fry et al.
Membership – a sense that one is understood and appreciated.
(1) I feel my organization demonstrates respect for me and my work.
(2) I feel my organization appreciates me, and my work.
(3) I feel highly regarded by my leaders.
(4) I feel I am valued as a person in my job.
(5) I feel my organization demonstrates respect for me, and my work.
High 21. I am very satisfied with the support, welcome and generosity from my work
colleagues.
Low 22. The people with who I entertain relationships of all sorts are very sincere. They
merit my total trust.
Low 23. Cordon Bleu-Tomasso always recognizes, to its just value, my contribution to
the workings of the company.
Organizational commitment – the degree of loyalty or attachment to the organization.
(1) I feel like “part of the family” in this organization.
(2) I would be very happy to spend the rest of my career with this organization.
(3) I talk up this organization to my friends as a great place to work for.
(4) I really feel as if my organization’s problems are my own.
(5) I feel very loyal to this organization.
(6) I feel a strong sense of belonging to my organization.
High 14. I totally agree with Cordon Bleu-Tomasso’s commercial objectives.
High 15. I totally agree with Cordon Bleu-Tomasso’s human objectives.
High 18. I am very satisfied with working at Cordon Bleu-Tomasso and I wish to stay
here.
Productivity – efficiency in producing results, benefits, or profits.
(1) Everyone is busy in my department/grade; there is little idle time.
(2) In my department, work quality is a high priority for all workers.
(3) In my department, everyone gives his/her best efforts.
(4) My work group is very productive.
(5) My work group is very efficient in getting maximum, output from the resources
(money, people, equipment, etc.) we have available.
High 1. My responsibilities are very well defined and I know how my work can affect
other’s work.
Low 2. The work is very well organized and it is easy for me to do my work well.
Low 6. Information transmitted from management is very good. It is clear and we are
very well informed of what is going on.
Low 7. Management is very preoccupied by our problems. It encourages us to make
suggestions and looks to our advice.
Low 13. Cordon Bleu-Tomasso has greatly contributed to my training and to my
improvement.
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Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion 313
Satisfaction with life – one’s sense of subjective well-being or satisfaction with life as a
whole.
(1) The conditions of my life are excellent.
(2) I am satisfied with my life.
(3) In most ways my life is ideal.
(4) If I could live my life over, I would change almost nothing.
(5) So far I have gotten the important things I want in life.
Cordon Bleu-Tomasso survey questions
Underlined questions are considered to be related to spiritual leadership variables.
(1) My responsibilities are very well defined and I know how my work can affect
other’s work.
(2) The work is very well organized and it is easy for me to do my work well.
(3) I am remunerated very well for the work I do.
(4) The social benefits (collective insurance, meals, sick days, uniforms, etc.) that
are offered to me are very satisfactory compared to what is available on the
market.
(5) The physical environment I work in seems very healthy and safe.
(6) Information transmitted from management is very good. It is clear and we are
very well informed of what is going on.
(7) Management is very preoccupied by our problems. It encourages us to make
suggestions and looks to our advice.
(8) The relationship with my superior is excellent and pleasant. I know where I am
going.
(9) Communications with other departments are excellent and we can always cont
on their collaboration. Never any barriers.
(10) Communications within my work group are excellent and I entertain easy and
agreeable relationships with my colleagues.
(11) I am certain I will keep my job at Cordon Bleu-Tomasso over the following
year. I look at the future with optimism.
(12) My chances of promotion at Cordon Bleu-Tomasso are excellent.
(13) Cordon Bleu-Tomasso has greatly contributed to my training and to my
improvement
(14) I totally agree with Cordon Bleu-Tomasso’s commercial objectives.
(15) I totally agree with Cordon Bleu-Tomasso’s human objectives.
(16) Cordon Bleu-Tomasso is well positioned and has a great future ahead of it.
(17) At Cordon Bleu-Tomasso, employees are treated with much more trust and
mutual respect than in other companies I know.
(18) I am very satisfied with working at Cordon Bleu-Tomasso and I wish to stay
here.
(19) Since the moment I arrived at Cordon Bleu-Tomasso, I believe that what I
lived positively contributed to my development and to my personal growth.
(20) I am strongly encouraged to express my opinions, comments and suggestions.
(21) I am very satisfied with the support, welcome and generosity from my work
colleagues.
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314 L.W. Fry et al.
(22) The people with whom I entertain relationships of all sorts are very sincere.
They merit my total trust.
(23) Cordon Bleu-Tomasso always recognizes, to its just value, my contribution to
the workings of the company.
(24) I always have the possibility of participating or getting involved in projects that
interest me.
(25) Yes or no, would you like silence and meditation room stay in your work envi-
ronment?
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