Intentional Leader with Cal Walters 130: Dr. Zach Mercurio — The Hidden Engine of High-Performing Teams: Mattering, Trust, and Purpose-Driven Leadership
Oct 24, 2025
Dr. Zach Mercurio, an author and researcher on purpose and leadership, shares how creating a sense of mattering is crucial for team dynamics. He emphasizes that feeling valued is fundamental to performance and that leaders must foster trust and care. Mercurio discusses the barriers leaders face in showing genuine concern and explains how small, intentional interactions can significantly impact relationships. He advocates for a shift from traditional command-and-control leadership to a more relational approach that prioritizes emotional intelligence and connection.
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Mattering Is A Primal Human Need
- Mattering is a primal survival instinct that people seek from birth onward.
- When people don't feel they matter they withdraw or act out, driving loneliness, disengagement, and mental health issues.
Leaders Set The Norms For Mattering
- Leaders have architectural power to set norms so everyone feels noticed, affirmed, and needed.
- People must feel valued before they can consistently add value at work.
Rebuild Relational Skills And Reward Them
- Relearn and practice relational skills like listening because modern digital transactions have eroded them.
- Redefine promotion and reward systems to value treating people well alongside performance.
