Best of 2025: The Power of Mattering with Zach Mercurio

What does it really mean for people to feel like they matter in the workplace?

In this episode, Zach Mercurio unpacks why mattering is the missing piece in most workplace cultures and how leaders can foster it. He also explores how a sense of value and contribution drives engagement, innovation, and retention. 

Zach is on a mission to make work and life more meaningful. As an author, researcher, and speaker, he helps leaders create environments where people feel valued. 

Topics explored in this episode: 

(02:15) The Science of Mattering

* How mattering influences employee performance and well-being.

* Why recognition alone isn’t enough to make people feel valued.

(10:40) Workplace Disconnection

* The hidden costs of employees feeling like they don’t matter.

(18:55) The Role of Leaders in Creating Mattering

* Mattering shouldn’t be just an HR initiative—it’s a leadership responsibility.

(28:30) Purpose vs. Mattering

* Why having a sense of mattering is more foundational than purpose.

* Case studies of companies that have built cultures of mattering.

(47:20) Building a Mattering-Centric Culture

* The three key components of a workplace where people feel they matter.

Thanks to Zach Mercurio for being on the show! 

Learn more about Zach: https://www.zachmercurio.com/

Get Zach’s book: The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Create a Culture of Significance: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8XMWCLJ 

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

Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth. 

Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshop 

Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGall

Bill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoach 

Visit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth. 

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This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/