Episode recap:

In this episode, Marcel sits down with Wes Adams and Tamara Myles, co-authors of A Meaningful Work, to explore what truly makes work meaningful in the age of AI. Drawing from positive psychology and organizational research, they unpack how leaders can move beyond removing obstacles and instead foster environments of high well-being, challenge, contribution, and connection. They highlight the role of positive, timely feedback in reinforcing meaningful contributions and show how challenge, paired with strong support, creates a “zone of possibility” where people thrive. Together, they make the case that meaningful work is a business imperative. Listeners will walk away with actionable ways to spark purpose and connection in their own workplaces.

Guest Bio:

Wes Adams, CEO of SV Consulting Group, partners with Fortune 500s and growing companies to develop leaders and create effective structures for high-performing teams. He researches positive psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, focusing on leadership practices that help employees thrive.

Tamara Myles is a speaker, author, professor, and entrepreneur focused on human flourishing at work. She helps leaders and organizations like Microsoft, KPMG, and MassMutual unlock meaningful work to boost performance, innovation, and resilience. As faculty at Boston College and at the University of Pennsylvania, her work shows that meaningful work leads to thriving teams and lasting impact.

Quotes

“Leaders are responsible for almost half of each individual’s experience of meaning at work.”
“Community says, I matter here.”

Takeaways

Leaders must intentionally foster community, contribution, and challenge to create meaningful work.
Simple practices—like synchronized breaks, positive feedback, and development conversations—can transform team culture.

Timestamps

[00:00] Marcel’s introduction: why meaningful work matters in today’s world

[04:19] Tamara’s personal story: what makes work meaningful (or not)

[06:26] Wes’s journey: purpose-driven work isn’t always meaningful

[09:33] Defining meaningful work and debunking misconceptions

[12:41] Has the meaning of work changed post-pandemic?

[23:43] Research on social connection and productivity

[28:22] The “friendship effect” and overcoming challenges together

[28:31] Contribution—understanding impact and purpose at work

[52:21] The power of saying “thank you” and recognizing others

Conclusion

Wes Adams and Tamara Myles make it clear: meaningful work is not about what you do, but how you experience it—and leaders play a pivotal role in shaping that experience. By focusing on community, contribution, and challenge, and by practicing care, feedback, and support, leaders can ignite passion and performance in every employee. The call to action is simple: start today, with small steps, to make work more meaningful for your team and yourself. The ripple effects can transform not just organizations, but lives.

Links Mentioned

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Meaningful-Work-Passion-Performance-Employee/dp/1541704533

Website: https://www.makeworkmeaningful.com/

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