Elizabeth Lotardo on Leading Yourself: How to Find Purpose in Your Current Job
Mar 24, 2025
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Join leadership expert Elizabeth Lotardo, author of Leading Yourself, as she shares her insights on finding purpose in any job. Discover how to shift your mindset to thrive despite workplace challenges and redefine your sense of fulfillment. Elizabeth discusses overcoming quiet quitting by recognizing everyday joys and emphasizes the power of perspective in navigating frustrations. She also advocates for setting input goals to regain control and build long-term success, proving that meaning can be found in even the most unexpected places of our work lives.
Purpose can be found in any job by recognizing small moments of impact rather than pursuing high-profile roles.
A growth mindset helps manage workplace frustrations by focusing on positive interactions and reframing negative perceptions.
Setting input-focused goals allows individuals to maintain agency and navigate their careers effectively amidst changes and uncertainties.
Deep dives
Finding Purpose in Your Current Job
Purpose can be discovered in any job, regardless of its nature, and it is essential to approach work with the intent to find joy and meaning even in less-than-ideal circumstances. Many people are inclined to search for new opportunities rather than focus on excelling in their current roles. However, cultivating a mindset that recognizes small moments of impact can significantly enhance one’s job satisfaction. By reframing what success looks like, individuals can identify their contributions and evolve their sense of fulfillment within their existing positions.
The Impact of Mindset on Job Satisfaction
Mindset plays a crucial role in how individuals perceive their job satisfaction and purpose. It is vital to manage internal narratives that can negatively skew perceptions of work and workplace dynamics. Employees often become frustrated if they focus solely on negative experiences while ignoring positive interactions and contributions. By fostering a growth mindset that emphasizes the importance of perspective, individuals can cultivate a more rewarding work environment and recognize their potential value.
The Misguided Quest for Meaning in Work
The search for purpose in one’s career often leads to unrealistic expectations that can ultimately result in dissatisfaction. Many associate purpose with grand missions or significant societal contributions, which can create feelings of inadequacy when their everyday roles do not match. A more practical approach is to seek fulfillment in smaller, meaningful interactions within the workplace, such as helping colleagues or achieving personal goals. By focusing on incremental positive changes, individuals can create a sense of purpose that is both attainable and satisfying.
Navigating Change and Uncertainty
Changes in workplace dynamics can be stressful and may leave individuals feeling uncertain about their roles. It is essential to acknowledge that change is an inherent part of any career and to approach it with adaptability rather than resistance. Individuals should focus on what they can control—such as their responses to new situations—rather than react negatively to imposed changes. Emphasizing collaboration and expressing concerns in a constructive manner contributes to a healthier work environment and helps mitigate stress.
Strategies for Goal Setting Amidst Challenges
Setting pragmatic, input-focused goals can empower individuals to navigate their careers more effectively, especially in times of uncertainty. Rather than fixating on what can feel like arbitrary outcomes, focusing on the actions within one’s control fosters a sense of agency and direction. Establishing systems to track progress and celebrate small achievements creates a foundation for long-term success without succumbing to burnout. Ultimately, by refining goals to reflect controllable efforts, individuals can remain resilient and engaged in their professional journeys.
In this episode, Elizabeth Lotardo, author of Leading Yourself: Finding More Joy, Meaning, and Opportunities in the Job You Already Have, shares her insights on how to find purpose and fulfillment in your current job. Drawing on her background as an organizational psychologist, Elizabeth explores how shifting your mindset can help you thrive at work, even when facing challenges like imperfect bosses, rigid systems, and high workloads.
In this conversation, we dive into:
• Defining Purpose at Work: Elizabeth challenges the idea that purpose is reserved for high-profile jobs or noble causes, suggesting that purpose can be found in small moments of impact within any role.
• Reframing Workplace Frustrations: We talk about how to manage dissatisfaction by recognizing the value in everyday tasks and reframing negative beliefs about your job.
• Overcoming Quiet Quitting: Elizabeth explains why quiet quitting is often a result of self-protection and burnout and how you can engage more meaningfully at work without sacrificing your well-being.
• The Power of Perspective: We explore how adjusting your mindset and focusing on what’s in your control can help you navigate difficult workplace changes and thrive in the face of uncertainty.
• Setting Input Goals: Instead of relying solely on outcome goals, Elizabeth advocates for focusing on input goals—things you can control— to build long-term success and fulfillment.
Elizabeth’s practical advice offers a fresh perspective on how to take charge of your career, find meaning in your work, and manage the challenges that come with any job.
