The Airbnb Experience
What is your perception of this well-known brand? The story behind how Airbnb came into being, is as amusing, as it is inspiring. But the more pressing question now is—how is the experience for guests today?
Recently, while visiting Kolkata for a short trip, I booked an Airbnb Super-host in a popular locality. Everything seemed smooth: the location, the check-in, the aesthetics, the amenities. Except—I was unwell when I arrived, very unwell. Canceling wasn’t an option, as the trip had an important objective. My condition worsened, and I found myself barely able to function. I had a high fever, body aches, couldn’t eat, and was communicating in whispers. The host saw this.
Now pause. Ask yourself—how would you have shown up as a host? Would you have stepped beyond the transactional agreement to simply offer a cup of steaming tea/coffee? A little food? Not out of obligation, but out of care?
My host did not. Only sweet, empty words of concern. Nothing more. Not a single act of compassion. It made me reflect—not just on one host, but on the spirit of hospitality and humanity.
Where is the Spirit?
The probable thought of my Super-host: “I didn’t sign up to serve what wasn’t paid for.” And that, right there, is how many operate—especially in the hyper-commercial realm of modern business. There’s warmth in the branding, but not always in the being. Empathy, compassion, a service mindset—all missing. The Spirit is missing.
Which brings us to the third “Q”—the one fewer talk about: Spiritual Quotient (SQ).
Beyond IQ and EQ: The Business of Being Human
It is sobering to realise how transactional life has become. We measure everything in money, efficiency, ROI. We chase speed over stillness, instant gratification over lasting meaning. We’re fine with plastic flowers over real blooms, fast food over soulful meals. We forget that we’re human.
We seek truth without earning it. We forget to pause and question. We disconnect from the deeper essence of who we are—our Spirit—in relentless pursuit of material comforts.
But to seek your Spirit is to return to your truest human qualities. To vibrate higher through love, empathy, courage, and kindness. That’s the home we’re all aching to return to.
The Inner Spring Cleaning
And yet, we run—from cities, jobs, relationships—looking for that next high, never realising the cracks are within. What we truly crave is peace. Not applause. Not status. Just peace.
But peace demands inner work. It demands silence. To sit with yourself when no one is watching. To see your reflection without the masks. To witness your own fears, your shadows, your truths. That is where transformation begins.
Let the silence stretch. Let it speak. Let awareness rise in that silence. You’ll be amazed by what it reveals—and how it shifts everything around you.
From Balance to Harmony
The world is catching on. Slowly. The buzzword is no longer “balance”—it’s harmony. And yet few grasp what that truly means. It isn’t about managing hours; it’s about aligning energies. Harmony isn’t an ideal, it’s a necessity—especially as stress, burnout, and toxicity escalate in workplaces.
We can’t meditate our way to Zen if we’re unwilling to face the chaos within. Harmony begins with the courageous choice to see clearly, feel deeply, and live intentionally. And that’s what Spiritual Quotient brings—awareness, authenticity, alignment.
Business with Soul
What does SQ have to do with business? Everything. Historically, great businesses weren’t just profit-driven—they were purpose-driven. They served the community, fostered trust, and embraced a deeper sense of service.
Today, logic often overrides intuition. Revenue trumps values. But true leadership is not just strategic—it is spiritual.
Think of icons like Field Marshal Sam Maneckshaw, Jack Welch, Ratan Tata, Oprah Winfrey, Steve Jobs. They led with vision, compassion, and integrity. Jack Welch once said, “Before you are a leader, success is about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is about growing others.” That’s SQ in action.
Steve Jobs echoed this when he said, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” SQ isn’t a trend—it’s the soul of leadership.
SQ in the Age of AI
With AI on the rise, our greatest asset is what machines can’t replicate—our Spirit. In workplaces obsessed with KPIs, deadlines, and profits, SQ becomes the anchor.
It’s the force that elevates EQ and IQ. It’s about bringing your whole self—authentic, creative, compassionate—to everything you do. It’s about leading with values, not just visions. And the world is waking up to this.
More people today understand energy, frequency, and vibration. Wellness is shifting from spa treatments to spiritual awakenings. Practices like Quantum Energy Medicine are gaining ground for a reason—they speak to our deeper, untended needs.
Productivity from the Inside Out
We are all energy. Thoughts, emotions, intentions—they shape the environments we work in. And stress? It lingers like smoke, affecting morale, innovation, and productivity.
The real work is to clear the space—inside and out. To heal the spiritual smog clouding our workplaces. Investing in the spirit of people and the organisation is no longer optional—it’s urgent.
Start with leadership. Engage hearts, not just hands. Infuse intention into culture. Invite stillness, reflection, and healing into the corporate rhythm.
The Beginning of Return
We’ll close with the words of Jiddu Krishnamurti—philosopher, mystic, and mirror to the soul:
“Why are we such snobs? Why do we cling to the exclusiveness of name, position and acquisition? Is anonymity degrading, to be unknown despicable? Why do we pursue the famous, the popular?”
It’s time to pause. To feel. To remember who we are beneath the titles and transactions.
Because the future isn’t just digital or disruptive—it’s deeply spiritual.
Let us begin there.
Originally published at Shilpi’s Voice and Visuals.