Meaningful Work Matters

William Damon, a Professor of Education at Stanford University and a leading authority on purpose, dives into the transformative concept of purpose as an active commitment. He discusses the 'triple helix' of good work—excellence, engagement, and ethics. Damon highlights how purpose evolves over a lifetime and the critical role of gratitude and service in shaping it. He also explores generational perspectives on work, the ethical responsibilities of organizations, and the importance of maintaining core human qualities amid technological advancements.

In this episode of Meaningful Work Matters, host Andrew Soren explores the complex relationship between stress and meaningful work with Jess Annison, positive psychology practitioner and author of the upcoming book "Career: How to Conquer Your Mid-Career Crisis and Create Your Most Meaningful Work Life."Jess shares her research findings and practical insights on navigating the interplay between stress and purpose in our professional lives, challenging common assumptions about meaningful work.Key topics discussed:The six "handshakes" between stress and meaningful work (10:15)How meaningful work can both exacerbate and alleviate stress (13:30)The concept of "bottomless pit" of meaningful work in certain professions (11:45)Strategies for individuals to navigate stress in purposeful careers (22:45)The role of organizations in fostering meaningful work while managing stress (25:30)Career crafting as a tool for sustainable meaningful work (35:20)Guest Bio:Jess Annison is a UK-based positive psychology practitioner, leadership coach, and career consultant. With a background in organizational change and a master's in applied positive psychology, Jess brings both practical experience and academic insights to the discussion of meaningful work.Resources mentioned:"A Few Things in Life Are Easy and Worth Doing" research paper by Jess Annison (Frontiers in Psychology)Job Demands-Resources Theory (05:30)Bunderson and Thompson's zookeeper study on meaningful work (10:45)Michael Steger's CARMA model for leadership behaviors (28:15)Listeners will gain a nuanced understanding of the stress-meaning relationship in their careers and learn practical strategies for creating sustainable, fulfilling work lives. This episode encourages reflection on the complexities of meaningful work and offers insights for both individuals and organizations in navigating these challenges.

In this episode of Meaningful Work Matters, host Andrew Soren unpacks the concept of "unlearning silence" with Elaine Lin Hering, author of "Unlearning Silence: How to Speak Your Mind, Unleash Talent, and Live More Fully." Elaine shares her insights on creating more authentic and inclusive work environments by addressing the complex dynamics of silence in the workplace.Key topics discussed:The concept of "unlearning silence" and its importance in workplace communication (2:57)Cultural and societal factors contributing to learned silence (12:57)Strategies for individuals to reconnect with their authentic voice (38:02)The role of leaders in creating environments where diverse voices are valued (43:56)Balancing strategic silence and oppressive silence (34:06)Guest Bio:Elaine Lin Hering is a recovering attorney turned accidental author. With over a decade of experience in corporate education and leadership development, Elaine has dedicated her career to improving workplace communication and helping people show up authentically in their professional and personal lives.Resources mentioned:"Unlearning Silence: How to Speak Your Mind, Unleash Talent, and Live More Fully" by Elaine Lin HeringAnkari Williams' work on micro-activism (36:06)Research on psychological safety in the workplace (27:29)Listeners will gain practical advice for both individuals and managers on fostering environments where every voice can be heard, contributing to more meaningful and impactful work. This episode challenges listeners to reflect on their own relationship with silence and provides actionable steps for creating more authentic and inclusive workplaces.

This episode of Meaningful Work Matters features Frank Martela, PhD Assistant Professor at Aalto University, and explores the nuanced landscape of meaningful work.While the pursuit of meaningful work is often celebrated, Frank sheds light on both its benefits and potential pitfalls. Drawing from his extensive research, he offers a comprehensive view of what constitutes meaningful work. He introduces a innovative model of well-being that bridges individual needs with broader societal and environmental concerns.Listeners will gain valuable insights into:The key dimensions that make work truly meaningfulHow to recognize and navigate the potential downsides of highly engaging workA fresh perspective on well-being that goes beyond traditional measuresThe crucial link between personal fulfillment and sustainable practices

Ever wonder how constructive dissent could transform your workplace?In this episode, we explore the concept of principled rebellion with Dr. Todd Kashdan, a renowned psychologist and professor at George Mason University. With over two decades of research in positive psychology and well-being, Dr. Kashdan offers valuable insights into fostering meaningful dissent in the workplace.Listeners will discover strategies for navigating organizational dynamics, championing new ideas, and creating environments that welcome constructive disagreement.Dr. Kashdan examines the delicate balance between innovation and conformity, providing a nuanced perspective on how principled insubordination can lead to more fulfilling and impactful work.

In this episode of the Meaningful Work Matters podcast, Andrew sits down with Antoinette Weibel, a professor of Human Resource Management at the University of St. Gallen.Antoinette is a leading expert in organizational psychology and has been at the forefront of research and initiatives aimed at fostering good leadership in organizations and societies.In this wide-ranging conversation, Antoinette and Andrew dive into the complexities of meaningful work, the critiques of positive psychology in organizational contexts, and Antoinette's work on reimagining performance management to better support human flourishing.Antoinette's insights on practical wisdom, ethics, and the role of business in society provide a thought-provoking framework for rethinking the future of work.Listeners will leave this episode with a deeper understanding of the limitations of traditional performance management systems and the need for a more holistic, ethical approach to supporting employee flourishing.

In this episode of Meaningful Work Matters, Andrew sits down with Professor Mijeong Kwon, Assistant Professor of Management at the University of Colorado Denver Business School, to discuss her research on the "moralization of intrinsic motivation" and its impact on meaningful work.Professor Kwon reveals how a deep love for one's work can lead people to see their passion as the "right" reason for working. However, this moralization can sometimes result in negative outcomes like guilt, self-exploitation, and neglect of other important aspects of life.Through her research in Latin America and the US, Kwon found that moralizing passion can also reinforce existing biases.Andrew and Mijeong explore the intricate balance between intrinsic factors like passion and extrinsic factors like pay and status. They also discuss practical strategies for managers to support diverse motivations and create safe environments where passion can flourish.The conversation highlights the complexities of passion and meaning at work and emphasizes that true leadership involves recognizing that different things motivate different people.

In this heartwarming and enlightening conversation, Professor Ella Henry shares her insights on meaningful work and well-being from a Māori worldview. Ella Henry is a prominent figure in Māori Indigenous development with a background in sociology, business, and Māori media. Over the past two decades, she has been actively involved in research, teaching, and advocacy. Ella's extensive involvement includes serving as a Treaty Negotiator for Ngātikahu ki Whangaroa and as Director of Māori Advancement for the Business School.Throughout this episode, Ella discusses traditional Maori models of well-being, which emphasize healing the whole person through strong connections between body, emotions, intellect, spirituality, and family/community. She explains that the Maori concept of "calling" is about understanding one's innate strengths and being nurtured towards work that aligns with those abilities rather than seeing it as a higher calling from an external source. Through her thoughtful storytelling and analysis, Ella offers valuable Indigenous perspectives that provide new lenses for understanding the relationship between work, identity, and living well.

In this episode, Andrew Soren speaks with Mat Duerden, a professor of experience design and management at Brigham Young University in Utah.Mat reveals how to harness the power of experience design to infuse work with greater meaning. You’ll learn how intentional design can turn everyday tasks into impactful experiences that resonate deeply with you and those around you.Discover the art of co-creating experiences and understand how your unique background influences the way you perceive and engage with the world. Mat guides us through the parallels between experience design and theater, helping us see our roles as both audience members and actors in life's journey.Through this conversation, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how intentional experience design can contribute to creating meaningful work—both inside and outside the workplace.

On this episode of Meaningful Work Matters, host Andrew is joined by Gerard Seijts and Kimberley Young Milani from the Institute for Leadership at Western University. The trio discuss the vital yet often overlooked role of character in leadership.Gerard and Kimberley have spent over a decade researching the dimensions of strong leadership character through rigorous studies involving thousands of leaders. They developed an evidence-based framework identifying 11 key aspects of character, such as accountability, collaboration, courage, and humanity. But character development has long been neglected in business education. As Gerard explains, their work aims to bring character back into the leadership conversation where it belongs.With compelling research and real-world examples, this discussion brings the complex yet vital topic of character to life. You’ll walk away with a renewed understanding of how developing strengths like humility, courage, and justice can unlock potential and design truly meaningful work.