Andre Delbecq: Spiritual friend and mentor

Abstract

ABSTRACT Andre Delbecq made a major difference to the field of workplace spirituality, not only through his research, his teaching, and his support for the founding of the Management, Spirituality and Religion Interest Group at the Academy of Management, but also through his friendship and mentoring. This article is based on interviews with seven people whose lives were deeply impacted by Andre’s friendship and mentoring, as well as my own personal reflections. The major themes of the interviews included Andre’s qualities, his spirituality, the ways in which he was an exemplar to others, and descriptions of Andre’s presence. More specifically, interviewees spoke about his loving friendship, his wisdom, his invisible guiding hand, his willingness to be personal and vulnerable, and his deep commitment to his Catholic faith while still being incredibly inclusive and knowledgeable about other religious traditions. Many saw him as an exemplar of how they strive to be in the world. .