Osobní rozvoj, symbolická účinnost a holistické spirituality u vysoce postavených slovenských pracujících

Using the concept of symbolic efficacy, the article analyses why the discourse and practices of personal development are considered effective. The article explores the experience of personal development practices interwoven with holistic spiritualities and the issues connected to the workplace. It is based on qualitative research conducted with Slovak workers between 2020 and 2022. While it draws on data from more than twenty semi-structured interviews, the analysis focuses on six individuals working in high-level management who actively engage in holistic spiritualities. It shows how they cultivate personal development practices together with lived religion, emphasising the holistic, self-aware, and authentic self that contributes to the development of the ethical self via self-care, ethical leadership and consumption and corporate social responsibility. These tools of personal development are in synch with the new spirit of capitalism, embracing artistic and social critique.