Student Affairs NOW The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Create a Culture of Significance
Jul 23, 2025
Join Dr. Zach Mercurio, a Senior Research and Teaching Fellow at Colorado State University, as he delves into the vital concept of 'mattering' in our lives and workplaces. He emphasizes the difference between mattering and merely belonging, detailing its impact on employee engagement and well-being. Zach offers a practical framework with three key practices: noticing, affirming, and needing. He shares personal stories illustrating how fostering meaningful connections can combat feelings of invisibility and create a culture of significance that transforms organizations.
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Custodian Jane's Life-Changing Moment
- Zach Mercurio shares a story about Jane, a custodian who transformed her sense of worth after a supervisor affirmed her role's significance.
- This moment of being seen, affirmed, and needed empowered her to work joyfully for over 30 years at the university.
Mattering is First Instinct
- Mattering is a primal survival instinct that precedes all other workplace needs like contribution and voice.
- People must first believe they matter before they can meaningfully engage or care in an organization.
Mattering vs Belonging and Inclusion
- Mattering differs from belonging and inclusion by focusing on interpersonal significance, not just membership or participation.
- It cannot be created by programs but only through genuine, interpersonal interactions where people feel truly seen and needed.
