When Work Becomes a Moral Imperative: Lessons from Mijeong Kwon

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.