When Ordinary Becomes Extraordinary: Practical Spirituality at Work, with Marcos Cajina

What happens when spirituality stops being abstract and becomes deeply practical? In this episode of the Spirituality in Leadership podcast, host Andrew Cohn speaks with Marcos Cajina, leadership consultant, executive coach, and founder of Renewal Company. Born in Madrid and seasoned in corporate HR at Ford before moving into leadership development and executive education, Marcos bridges the worlds of business performance and spiritual wisdom.Together, Andrew and Marcos explore how spirituality is not about retreats or caves but about ordinary, daily practices that shape how we lead and live. Marcos introduces what he calls a “scientific approach to spirituality,” testing, applying, and refining practices that work. From martial arts to Japanese archery, he shares how paradoxes like “hitting the target without trying” reveal powerful lessons for leadership.The conversation covers the laws of spirit, including acceptance, cooperation, and understanding, and how they translate into everyday business situations. Marcos also emphasizes the role of compassion in leadership, reframing it as a critical executive competency. With humor, humility, and lived experience, he shows how leaders can let go of drama, embrace ordinariness, and make leadership a true team sport.This episode is full of timeless insights for leaders seeking to integrate spirituality, practicality, and humanity in their work.Key TakeawaysSpirituality is practical: it belongs in meetings, feedback, and everyday leadership, not just retreats.Acceptance ≠ resignation: it’s about learning, course-correcting, and moving forward without drama.Action comes before understanding: leaders must act with incomplete information to gain clarity.Compassion is a leadership competency: both self-compassion and compassion for others unlock growth.Ordinariness is powerful: letting go of the need to be “special” allows authentic presence.Leadership is a team sport: true progress happens when giving and receiving support are both practiced.In This Episode:(00:01) Introduction to practical spirituality(00:26) Marcos’ spiritual journey and ordinariness(01:00) Podcast introduction (01:43) Guest introduction and episode overview(05:12) Marcos’ corporate and consulting background(06:20) Practicality of spirituality in business(08:14) Martial arts and shift to practical spirituality(10:00) Embracing ordinariness and authenticity(13:35) Tension between acceptance and ambition(14:51) Scientific approach to spirituality(15:48) Japanese archery and the paradox of performance(21:12) Spiritual laws: acceptance, cooperation, understanding(25:08) Action before understanding in leadership(28:41) Drama, mistakes, and learning(31:55) Compassion as a leadership competency(34:13) Inclusion, acceptance, and team support(35:24) Loving in business and reciprocity(37:07) Makers, takers, and fakers(39:17) Closing remarks and contact informationResources and LinksSpirituality in Leadership Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spirituality-in-leadership/id1713365406Marcos CajinaWebsite: renewalcompany.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcos-cajina/Email: [email protected] CohnWebsite: https://www.spiritualityinleadership.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcohnusa/Music: Kodiak: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4rURKtnJr3jeHvZ0IVRQCe