Navigating the Unknowable: Spaces and Holistic Dialogues for Spirituality-Informed Decision-Making

Based on classical grounded theory methodology, this paper proposes the significance of spaces and holistic dialogues as conducive factors facilitating the utilization of a distinct kind of intuition, subtle cues, in decision-making processes. In these instances, the experiential unknowable unknown realm of existence acts as a driving force to ways of knowing reality (epistemological dimension of existence). Our findings contribute to the conceptualization of spaces and dialogues. When a conducive space is established, stakeholders are likely to perceive and act upon it, leveraging their experiential realms of knowing to contribute to the organization’s overarching purpose. The creation of such spaces introduces the tool of holistic dialogue, prompting stakeholders to utilize various types of information, rational and non-rational elements, subtle cues and diverse resources such as formal and informal channels, explicit and tacit ways of knowing. Through the cultivation of spaces and practice of holistic dialogue, stakeholders develop a set of capabilities that naturally aid them in sustaining their contribution to the organization’s purpose while tapping into the cognitively unknowable unknown within their experiential domain. The capabilities developed include mindful perception and mindful sharing. This study contributes to the knowledge of the domain of experience, often regarded as a black box within organizational contexts.