SPOS #980 – Tamara Myles On Making Work Actually Matter
Apr 20, 2025
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Tamara Myles, an expert in meaningful work and positive psychology, dives deep into how to make work truly matter. She reveals findings from her groundbreaking study on how leaders can foster meaning in the workplace through community, contribution, and challenge. Discussing the impacts of the pandemic, she addresses rising employee apathy and the challenges of remote work. Tamara also emphasizes the need for supportive environments that can reignite passion and connection while navigating the complexities of merit and diversity in today's organizations.
Tamara Myles emphasizes that meaningful work is driven by community, contribution, and challenge, impacting employee engagement and satisfaction.
Leaders have a critical role in shaping the perception of meaningful work, with their actions significantly affecting employee motivation and purpose.
The pandemic has accelerated the demand for meaningful work, pushing individuals to seek jobs that align more closely with their personal values and aspirations.
Deep dives
Accessibility of Thought Leadership
Accessing thought leadership has become more affordable and convenient through innovative platforms. These platforms offer bite-sized, personalized video experiences featuring esteemed thinkers, making it easier for organizations to incorporate expert insights into their meetings. This approach allows businesses to invite renowned authors, speakers, and industry leaders for short but impactful engagements, ensuring that valuable knowledge reaches wider audiences. By streamlining the booking process and offering flexible options, organizations can enhance their overall meeting experiences and gain a competitive edge.
Understanding Positive Psychology
Positive psychology is a discipline focused on studying human happiness and well-being, shifting from the traditional emphasis on mental illness and pathology. It addresses the desire for individuals to flourish and lead fulfilling lives by exploring aspects like engagement, relationships, and personal growth. The field gained traction in 1998 when a call for broadening psychology was made, emphasizing the importance of scientific research on what makes life meaningful. The insights derived from positive psychology underscore the potential of everyone to lead more satisfying lives, regardless of their job roles.
Defining Meaningful Work
Meaningful work transcends traditional notions of purpose-driven employment, demonstrating that all types of jobs can provide meaning and satisfaction. Research indicates that meaning in work stems from three primary aspects: community, contribution, and challenge, rather than being limited to altruistic professions. By fostering environments that prioritize collaboration, personal growth, and meaningful contributions, organizations can cultivate employee engagement and satisfaction, leading to increased productivity and retention. This broadens the understanding of what constitutes meaningful work and empowers individuals across various industries.
The Role of Leadership in Meaningful Work
Leaders play a pivotal role in influencing the meaningfulness of work experiences for their employees. Approximately 50% of an employee's perception of meaningful work is tied to the actions and practices of their leaders. By creating environments that prioritize support, challenge, and community, leaders can foster a stronger sense of purpose among team members. Effective leadership practices encourage employees to take ownership of their work, driving engagement and overall organizational success.
Navigating Challenges in the Evolving Workplace
The workplace landscape is rapidly changing, with new generational expectations and societal shifts influencing employee engagement and satisfaction. Factors like the pandemic have heightened the demand for meaningful work, leading individuals to seek positions that align with their values and aspirations. While some industries navigate challenges around employee retention and well-being, others embrace hybrid models that prioritize community building and cultural connection. The conversation surrounding meaningful work requires adaptation, emphasizing the importance of intentional practices that meet evolving employee needs and foster an enriching work environment.
Welcome to episode #980 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast.
Tamara Myles is one of the world’s leading experts on meaningful work, with a career that bridges research, leadership consulting, and positive psychology. She’s the author of The Secret To Peak Productivity, a sought-after speaker and advisor to companies like Microsoft and KPMG, and one of the first 600 people in the world to earn a master’s in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. In her new book, Meaningful Work - How To Ignite Passion And Performance In Every Employee (co-authored with Wes Adams), Tamara brings both scientific rigor and real-world empathy to one of the most pressing challenges of our time: how to make work feel like it matters. In this conversation, Tamara shares the results of her multi-year study - the first of its kind - on how leaders influence meaning in the workplace. She introduces the three core drivers of meaningful work: community, contribution, and challenge, and explains why they’re more relevant than ever in a world grappling with burnout, disconnection, and shifting values around work. We also talk about the lasting impact of the pandemic, the rise of employee apathy, and how social media has warped our collective expectations about fulfillment. Tamara, who teaches at both the University of Pennsylvania and Boston College, blends her academic insight with a deeply human perspective - reminding us that meaning is not just a nice-to-have, but a business imperative. Whether you're leading a team or trying to reconnect with your own sense of purpose, this episode offers a much-needed compass. Enjoy the conversation...
(00:00) - Introduction to Positive Psychology and Meaningful Work. (02:58) - The Importance of Meaning in Work. (05:57) - The Misconception of Meaningful Work. (09:03) - The Role of Leaders in Creating Meaning. (11:59) - The Impact of the Pandemic on Work Meaning. (14:58) - Transactional Work vs. Meaningful Work. (18:10) - The Dual Responsibility of Leaders and Employees. (21:04) - Hiring for Meaning in Organizations. (24:13) - Common Sense vs. Common Practice in Work Meaning. (26:59) - Expectations and Realities of Work Today. (31:46) - The Impact of Social Media on Expectations. (34:33) - Generational Perspectives on Meaningful Work. (37:47) - Work-Life Balance and Productivity. (39:08) - The Loneliness Epidemic Post-Covid. (43:39) - Creating Meaningful Work Environments. (46:58) - AI's Role in the Future of Work. (50:15) - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace. (52:28) - Overcoming Apathy in the Workplace.
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