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How to Make People Feel Seen, Heard, and Needed with Author Zach Mercurio

Nov 4, 2025

Zach Mercurio, a researcher and author focused on the science of mattering, shares insights on making people feel valued in work and life. He reveals that true care must begin with making others feel they matter. Zach discusses three key practices: noticing, affirming, and needing, detailing how small, intentional actions can build trust and loyalty. He offers practical tips for showing appreciation and gathering feedback, emphasizing the importance of co-creating with clients to honor their expertise. This discussion offers valuable strategies for enhancing relationships in various contexts.

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ANECDOTE

The Friday Notebook That Built Trust

A supervisor with 26 reports kept a Friday notebook of one detail per person and did three-minute Monday check-ins.
That ritual produced a visible "magic in being remembered" and stronger team engagement.

ADVICE

Ask Specific, Time-Bound Questions

Replace vague greetings with specific exploratory questions like, "What has your attention right now?" or "What have you been working on?".
Ask time-bounded, open questions that give actionable details you can remember and act on.

ADVICE

Use One-On-One Prompts To Remember Details

Write a short prompt at the top of one-on-one agendas like "don't forget to ask about..." to trigger personal follow-ups.
Mentioning remembered details relaxes people and signals they are seen.

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What makes someone truly care about their work, their team, or even you? In this episode, I sit down with Zach Mercurio, one of the world's leading experts on the science of "mattering." We unpack why nothing can truly matter to someone unless they first feel that they matter to you — and how that insight can transform relationships, leadership, and client trust. Zach shares fascinating research, relatable stories, and practical scripts for showing others that they're seen, heard, and valued in both professional and personal settings.

We dig deep into the "why" behind mattering and move into the "how" with clear, repeatable steps you can use to create more meaningful connections in every interaction. From client relationships to internal teams, you'll walk away with concrete ways to build trust, loyalty, and genuine engagement that scales.

Topics We Cover in This Episode:

Why being a "good person" isn't enough to make people feel cared for
The three key practices of mattering — noticing, affirming, and needing
How small interactions shape trust and loyalty more than big gestures
Practical questions that make others feel seen and heard instantly
Why documenting details can help you build stronger relationships at scale
How to give feedback that inspires change instead of resistance
The psychology behind making people feel indispensable
How "co-creating" with clients or colleagues increases buy-in and results

If you're ready to level up your relational skills and make every connection count, don't miss this one. Zach's frameworks are simple, science-backed, and deeply human — and they'll change the way you lead, sell, and communicate. Check out his book The Power of Mattering and visit thepowerofmattering.com for free self-assessments and templates. Then tune in and start practicing the small moments that make the biggest difference.

Resources Mentioned:

Connect with Zach on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachmercurio/

Visit Zach's Website: https://www.zachmercurio.com/the-power-of-mattering/

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