Embracing the 'S' Word: The Missing Link in Modern Leadership
Cedric Varcoe sharing spiritual wisdom in a Newday Inspired Leadership Program.
When you hear the word spirituality, what comes to mind?
For a long time, I thought spirituality was synonymous with religion. And like many people, I tended to sideline the topic, thinking it belonged in temples or churches, rather than in my everyday life or leadership.
That all changed when I started travelling to Nepal 11 years ago. I went with curiosity, not expecting it to change the way I saw things. But after seventeen trips, countless moments of stillness among mountains, temples, and experiencing the wisdom of warm-hearted people, spirituality has become one of the most meaningful and transformative aspects of my life. It’s now something I weave into everything I do, especially my leadership.
Today, I have the privilege of learning from a Buddhist teacher whose words have changed the way I lead and live. He reminds me often that the purpose of spiritual practice is to cultivate inner peace and eliminate suffering, not just for ourselves, but so that we can help others live more fully as well.
What a beautiful goal that is. And what a journey it continues to be.
What is spirituality?
One of the first things I realised in Nepal is that spirituality and religion are not the same. Religion can be one path to spirituality, but spirituality itself is broader and more encompassing. It’s about connection — to purpose, to values, to others, to the natural world, and to something greater than ourselves.
In life’s more challenging seasons, such as when we’re grieving or facing big changes, our need for meaning and connection becomes even clearer. We start to reach for something deeper to hold onto, like a sense of meaning, peace, or perspective.
The Inner Development Goals (IDGs) recognise spirituality as a vital dimension of inner growth. They highlight it as a pathway to deeper purpose, meaning, and interconnectedness. By nurturing spiritual awareness, the IDGs suggest we can cultivate compassion, resilience, and ethical action — essential capacities for driving sustainable change.
According to the Values in Action (VIA) Character Strengths framework, spirituality is defined as “having coherent beliefs about the higher purpose and meaning of the universe and one’s place within it; it includes beliefs about the meaning of life and may or may not involve religious practices.”
For me, that definition feels spot on.
How to discover your spiritual strengths
Spirituality is a recognised character strength, one of 24 defined by the VIA Classification. These strengths are rooted in six universal virtues. Spirituality belongs to the virtue of Transcendence — strengths that lift us beyond ourselves and help us connect to meaning.
My own top strengths are gratitude, hope, love, appreciation of beauty and excellence, and spirituality. Interestingly, four out of five of these fall under Transcendence. This makes so much sense to me. I often find strength and resilience through awe, beauty, and connection.
If you haven’t taken the VIA Survey before, I highly recommend it. It’s a powerful tool for uncovering your inner resources. Reflecting on the times when you’ve felt truly alive, at peace, or connected can help you recognise your core values — your spiritual literacy in action.
Seven simple ways to connect with your spirit each day
Meditation and mindfulness — Just five or ten minutes a day can help calm your nervous system and reconnect you with your breath and body.
Nature — For me, walking outside, listening to birdsong, or sitting under a tree instantly grounds me.
Music and art — Music has a way of bypassing our minds and speaking straight to the soul.
Reading — Poetry, spiritual texts, and even short reflections can shift your perspective.
Incense or smoking ceremonies — Scent and ritual can be powerful cues for presence.
Journaling — Writing gives shape to our inner world. It helps you to notice patterns, let go, and clarify what matters.
Faith community — If it resonates with you, consider joining a community that has similar spiritual values. The focus isn’t on labels — it’s on shared values, meaningful connection and thoughtful conversation.
Yoga — Yoga can be a powerful tool for reconnecting with your inner self and cultivating compassion, both for yourself and those around you.
Spend time with people and in places that energise you. Notice who and what uplifts you — choose environments that nourish your energy, not drain it. Be intentional about protecting and restoring yourself.
Gaining wisdom from the oldest cultures
Something that has inspired my spiritual journey has been learning from the wisdom of First Nations people, especially from my friend Cedric Varcoe. Cedric has taught me about spirit animals and the profound, spiritual connection that Aboriginal people have with land, ancestry, and nature.
In many Aboriginal cultures, spirit animals (or totems) represent your family, connection to the land, and place in the Dreaming. They are sacred guides that remind us of our responsibilities to one another and the natural world.
You don’t choose a spirit animal, you discover it by listening, observing, and learning from Elders. It will come to you when you’re still enough in nature to notice what draws your spirit forward. This connection to nature, to something greater, has deepened my leadership in ways I couldn’t have imagined.
What spiritual leadership looks like in everyday life:
Ask The Person (ATP). Never assume — ask. This creates inclusive, respectful environments.
Be generous. Be generous with your time, presence, and service.
Lead with your values. Not just when it’s easy, but when it matters most.
Treat people well. Always. Kindness and compassion are the heart of great leadership.
Take time to re-centre. Even just a moment of quiet each day can change how you respond to stress or pressure.
Lessons I’ve learned from Nepal
Recently, we had a Nepal reunion dinner. What stayed with me most was hearing how these spiritual lessons are now quietly supporting people in their everyday lives.
One person shared, “Everything is impermanent.” That awareness helped them become less controlling and more flexible in their leadership.
Another said, “I’ve learned to detach.” They’re no longer hung up on small things. They even laughed about not being upset when the paint colour was wrong in their house!
Someone else shared, “I’m responsible for my suffering through my thinking.” That realisation gave them calm and clarity.
One participant said they used to focus on the negatives. Now, they let things go more easily.
But my favourite reflection of all came from a parent: “My kids have even noticed — they’ve said, ‘You’re such a chilled mum now!’”
Sometimes, it only takes a small shift in thinking to bring more calm, clarity and connection into everything we do.
Why spirituality in leadership matters to me
I started Newday Leadership to inspire leadership for the greater good. To help people lead with purpose, courage, and compassion.
Whether in Nepal, Adelaide, or online, Newday and our programs have shown me the power of purpose-led, values-driven leadership. I’ve seen what happens when people reconnect with their spirit. They become more grounded, more generous, and more inspired to make a positive difference in their lives, for their teams, and the world.
I believe we are all wired for goodness. Even though fewer people attend traditional places of worship, the desire to live meaningfully and lead with integrity is as strong as ever.
You don’t have to be perfect
If you take anything away from this, I hope it’s this: You don’t have to be perfect to lead with purpose. You simply need to show up with your values, your strengths, and your heart.
Spirituality is not a destination — it’s a gentle practice of connection. Of choosing kindness. Of slowing down enough to notice beauty and meaning. Of remembering that you are part of something greater than yourself.
And that’s where true leadership begins.
The Newday Team