Meaningful Work Matters

What does it mean to live well—and does that definition change depending on where you’re from?In this episode of Meaningful Work Matters, Andrew Soren is joined by Dr. Mohsen Joshanloo, a cross-cultural psychologist and social scientist based in South Korea. Mohsen’s research challenges dominant Western models of well-being and explores how culture shapes our experiences of happiness, autonomy, and purpose.Grounded in both theory and global data, Mohsen shares how our understanding of "meaning" is not only culturally shaped but deeply connected to our motivation, mental health, and resilience.The conversation also highlights implications for leaders and organizations: if we want people to find purpose in their work, we must first help them feel like they matter.Key Takeaways:Autonomy and meaning look different across cultures—there is no one-size-fits-all model.Emotional happiness isn't everyone's highest goal; fear of happiness is real and often culturally influenced.Eudaimonic well-being (based on purpose, virtue, and contribution) can predict future emotional well-being more than the other way around.People who lack purpose often place more importance on money for evaluating life satisfaction.Leaders can foster purpose at work by creating environments where people feel valued and impactful.Why This Episode Matters:If you’re a leader, HR professional, or researcher, this episode offers new insights into cultural differences in well-being and how these impact motivation and satisfaction at work.Resources Mentioned:Mohsen Joshanloo’s personal websiteFeatured Open-Access Research:Authenticity and Well-beingAversion to HappinessCulture and Well-beingAbout Our Guest:Dr. Mohsen Joshanloo is a personality and cross-cultural psychologist whose research explores mental well-being, culture, personality traits, emotions, and xenophobia. With a global perspective, he integrates data from countries across six continents to challenge the Western-dominated narrative in psychological science. Mohsen advocates for a more inclusive, international approach by incorporating insights from non-Western cultural contexts.He is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Keimyung University in South Korea and an Honorary Principal Fellow at the Centre for Wellbeing Science at the University of Melbourne. Through his work, he continues to expand our understanding of how different cultures define and pursue happiness, purpose, and well-being.

In this episode, Sara Wolkenfeld, Chief Learning Officer at Sefaria, joins Andrew to explore how ancient Jewish wisdom can guide our relationship with emerging technologies like AI. Drawing from traditional texts and her experience making Jewish wisdom accessible through digital tools, Sara offers insights on maintaining our humanity while embracing technological progress.Key Takeaways:Jewish tradition distinguishes between assigned labor (Avodah, עֲבוֹדָה) and creative labor (Melechah, מְלָאכָה), offering a framework for deciding which tasks to delegate to AI and which to preserve for human hands and mindsInstead of asking if AI can do a task better, we should ask: "How do we want to spend our time?" and aim to free ourselves up for work that aligns with our deeper purposeClear organizational values and mission statements are essential for making ethical decisions about which technologies to adopt and how to implement themMeaningful work doesn't always feel comfortable or easy – challenge and even occasional struggle can be part of what makes work meaningfulAbout Sara Wolkenfeld:Sara Wolkenfeld is the Chief Learning Officer at Sefaria, an online database and interface for Jewish texts. She is a member of Class Six of the Wexner Field Fellowship, a rabbinic alumna of the David Hartman Center at the Hartman Institute of North America, and serves as Scholar-in-Residence at Ohev Sholom Congregation in Washington, DC. Her current research and writing focus on the intersection between Jewish ethics and advancements in technology. Sara and her husband, David, live in Washington, DC with their five children.Resources Mentioned:Sefaria: Online platform making Jewish texts accessible (www.sefaria.org)Sara Wolkenfeld's article in The Atlantic: Work, Labor, and Artificial Intelligence in Jewish TextsSara's article in Religious Dispatches: How An Ancient Story of Renegade Rabbis Can Help Us Navigate ChatGPTOhev Sholom Congregation in Washington, DC: www.ohevdc.org

In this episode of Meaningful Work Matters, Andrew sits down with Petra Kipfelsberger, Associate Professor for Leadership and Organizational Behaviour at BI Norwegian Business School. Andrew and Petra explore how leaders can inspire meaningful work through authentic communication and visionary leadership while avoiding behaviors that diminish employees' sense of purpose.Key Takeaways:Leaders offer opportunities for meaning rather than creating it directly - employees must discover their own sense of purpose"Meaning killing" behaviors like ignoring contributions or failing to provide feedback can significantly undermine employees' sense of purposeSimple practices like timely acknowledgment and specific affirmation can make a significant difference in fostering meaning at workAbout Petra Kipfelsberger:Petra Kipfelsberger is an Associate Professor at BI Norwegian Business School with a PhD from the University of St. Gallen. Her research focuses on inspirational leadership, meaningful work, and how organizations thrive during uncertainty. She has been a Visiting Research Fellow at Boston College and IESE Business School, serves as a board member of IGNITE, and coaches global C-level executives.Resources Mentioned:Viktor Frankl's work and life storyKilling Me Softly With His/Her Song: How Leaders Dismantle Followers' Sense of Work MeaningfulnessDeveloping Authenticity: A Quasi-Experimental Investigation

In this episode of Meaningful Work Matters, host Andrew Soren sits down with Rob Baker, founder of Tailored Thinking and a leading voice on job crafting. They explore how individuals can shape their work to better align with their strengths and values, making small but meaningful changes that measurably boost performance, well-being, and job satisfaction.Key Takeaways:Job crafting involves personalizing your work in five key areas: tasks, skills, purpose, relationships, and well-being - creating small changes that make your job a better fit for you.Effective job crafting doesn't require massive changes - even "micro-crafting" for 5-10 minutes daily can significantly impact your energy, engagement, and satisfaction at work.Leaders can support job crafting by listening sincerely, creating space for experimentation, and embedding crafting conversations into regular performance discussions.About Rob Baker:Rob Baker is the founder and Chief Positive Deviant of Tailored Thinking, an award-winning evidence-based positive psychology and HR consultancy. Named #8 Most Influential Thinker by HR Magazine in 2023, Rob is a world-leading expert on job crafting in workplaces. He's a TEDX speaker and author of "Personalization at Work," a finalist at the 2021 Business Book Awards.With a first-class Masters in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Melbourne, Rob combines academic rigor with practical application, helping organizations make work better and make better work.Resources Mentioned:Tailored Thinking: tailoredthinking.co.ukConnect with Rob on LinkedIn and InstagramPersonalization at Work - Rob's book on job crafting

Collaboration and generosity are essential for meaningful work, but what happens when they become too much of a good thing? Could saying yes too often be holding you back?In part two of our conversation with Reb Rebele, we explore the hidden costs of collaboration and generosity in the workplace. Building on last week's discussion about personality dynamics, Reb shares why organizations face ‘collaborative overload’, how helpful employees often burn out first, and what individuals and teams can do to reclaim their time and energy. Reb shares practical strategies for balancing helping others with protecting our own wellbeing, from setting boundaries to reassessing team norms around meetings and communication. If you've ever felt overextended at work or struggled to manage the demands of collaboration, this episode offers valuable frameworks for creating more sustainable ways of working together.Key Takeaways:Organizations need systematic approaches to manage collaboration, from tech tools to meeting policies."Selfless" helping can actually reduce impact - maintaining healthy boundaries helps sustain meaningful contributions.Effective collaboration requires both individual strategies (like resource management) and organizational solutions.About Our Guest:Reb Rebele is a psychological scientist and advisor who teaches at the University of Melbourne and whose research on personality psychology and organizational behavior has been published in leading academic journals and outlets such as The Atlantic and Harvard Business Review. Reb’s work focuses on understanding how individuals and organizations can work together more effectively while supporting wellbeing.---Want to move from theory to practice? Join our pilot PodClub session on February 26th, where thoughtful professionals like you will explore how to make meaningful work a reality. Learn more at eubd.ca/podclub.

What if your personality isn't as fixed as you think?In this Meaningful Work Matters two-part episode, psychological scientist and organizational behavior expert Reb Rebele joins Andrew to explore how understanding personality dynamics can help us navigate meaningful work more effectively.Drawing from research at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Melbourne, Reb challenges common assumptions about authenticity and explains how different aspects of personality can be intentionally adjusted to meet goals while maintaining sincerity.Key Takeaways:Everyone contains multitudes: We all have different sides to our personality that we can express in different situationsAuthenticity isn't about consistency: Being "true to yourself" means acknowledging and working with your various authentic expressionsResource management is crucial: Expressing different aspects of your personality at work requires understanding your energy needs and restoration patternsStrategic self-regulation: Learn how to be "the right version of yourself at the right time" through intentional personality regulationAbout Our Guest:Reb Rebele is a psychological scientist and advisor who teaches at the University of Melbourne and who’s research on personality psychology and organizational behavior has been published in leading academic journals and outlets such as The Atlantic and Harvard Business Review.Part 2 of this conversation, coming out next week, Reb and Andrew explore the dynamics of collaboration and generosity in the workplace.Want to move from theory to practice? Join our pilot PodClub session on February 26th, where thoughtful professionals like you will explore how to make meaningful work a reality. Learn more at eubd.ca/podclub.

In this episode of Meaningful Work Matters, host Andrew Soren sits down with Dr. Adam Murry and Alvan Yuan from the University of Calgary to explore Indigenous perspectives on meaningful work within settler institutions, particularly in post-secondary settings across Western Canada.Key Takeaways:Indigenous employees derive meaning from work through three core elements:A sense of belonging and contribution to a generational communityHolistic connectedness with both community and landCulturally relevant job design that aligns with personal and community valuesOrganizations often exploit Indigenous employees' community-driven motivations without providing proper support or recognitionMeaningful work can serve as a potential avenue for reconciliation but is not a substitution for structural changesAbout Our Guests:Dr. Adam Murry (Ukrainian, Irish, Apache) is an associate professor of psychology at the University of Calgary and director of the Indigenous Organizations and Communities Research Lab. With a PhD in industrial-organizational psychology, he focuses on applied mixed-method research contributing to Indigenous affairs in employment, education, health, and mental health.Alvan Yuan (Canadian, Taiwanese) is a PhD candidate in industrial-organizational psychology at the University of Calgary. Their research explores how individuals derive meaning and purpose from work, with a particular focus on understanding employment dynamics, sense-making, and learning through mixed-methods approaches.Resources Mentioned:Indigenous Organizations and Communities Research Lab at the University of CalgaryTuck and Yang's "Decolonization is Not a Metaphor" (2012)

In this episode of Meaningful Work Matters, Andrew explores the complex relationship between perfectionism, meaningful work, and personal fulfillment with Sonya Looney, a world champion mountain biker, podcast host, and positive psychology researcher.Through her personal journey from achievement-focused athlete to purpose-driven leader, Sonya shares insights from her research on how perfectionists can find deeper satisfaction by focusing on social impact rather than just personal accomplishment.Sonya also discusses her research on perfectionism, goal attainment, and mattering, and offers a fresh perspective on how high achievers can break free from the cycle of perpetual dissatisfaction.The conversation examines how shifting focus from individual achievement to "other-ish" goals - those that benefit both self and others - can lead to more fulfilling work and genuine sense of accomplishment.Key Takeaways:Perfectionism operates in three dimensions: high personal standards, high standards for others, and meeting societal expectationsThe importance of shifting from pride-based to impact-based measures of accomplishmentHow "other-ish" goals can help perfectionists find meaning beyond personal achievementThe value of immeasurable impacts in creating genuine satisfactionPractical strategies for balancing perfectionist tendencies with meaningful workAbout Our Guest: Sonya Looney is a world champion professional mountain biker with 20 years of racing experience across the globe. Beyond her athletic achievements, she hosts the Sonya Looney Show (soon to be rebranded as "Grow the Good" podcast) and recently completed her Master's in Applied Positive Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, where she conducted innovative research on perfectionism and meaningful achievement.Resources Mentioned:Give and Take by Adam GrantTranscend by Scott Barry KaufmanConnect with Sonya:Website: sonyalooney.comPodcast: The Sonya Looney Show (soon to be "Grow the Good")

This is a special crossover episode where we're sharing a recent conversation between Andrew Soren and Sonya Looney from her podcast, The Sonya Looney Show.In this episode, Andrew takes the guest seat as Sonya interviews him about the complex relationship between meaningful work and well-being, exploring why work that feels deeply important can sometimes lead to exploitation or burnout.Key topics discussed:Understanding eudaimonia and its relationship to meaningful workThe "dark side" of meaningful work and how passion can lead to self-exploitationSix different ways people find meaning in their work, from utilitarian purposes to serviceThe critical balance between meaning and workplace decencyHow mattering—feeling valued and adding value—influences job satisfaction and retentionThe role of organizations and leadership in fostering sustainable meaningful workThis episode was originally recorded for The Sonya Looney Show and is shared here as part of a special two-part crossover series.Don't miss our next episode of Meaningful Work Matters where Sonya will join as our guest to discuss navigating perfectionism, redefining achievement, and using our goals to create positive impact.Connect with The Sonya Looney Show

In part two of her conversation on Meaningful Work Matters, Dr. Anne Brafford explores Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and its profound implications for creating meaningful work environments.[Click here to listen to Part One, where Anne discusses identity and meaning in the legal profession]As both a former Big Law equity partner and organizational psychologist, Brafford offers unique insights into how understanding and supporting basic psychological needs can transform workplace cultures. Through research-backed explanations and practical examples, she shares how motivation develops on a continuum from amotivation to various forms of extrinsic motivation to intrinsic autonomous motivationThe conversation examines how leaders can move beyond command-and-control to create environments where people genuinely want to engage in their work. Brafford unpacks the three fundamental psychological needs - autonomy, competence, and relatedness - and explains their crucial role in fostering meaningful work experiences.Drawing from both her academic research and real-world experience, she shares concrete strategies for "needs crafting", or, ways individuals can proactively shape their work experience to better satisfy their psychological needs.Key Takeaways:Self-Determination Theory provides a practical framework for understanding how psychological needs drive meaningful workAutonomous motivation is essential for experiencing meaningfulness - you won't find work meaningful without itLeaders can support psychological needs through perspective-taking, need-supportive communication, and helping frame work's significanceIndividuals can actively craft their work experience to better satisfy their psychological needs through intentional daily practicesAbout Our Guest:Dr. Anne Brafford is a thought leader in workplace wellbeing and organizational psychology, with a particular focus on the legal profession. As owner of Aspire and co-founder of the Institute for Well-Being in Law, she bridges academic research with practical application to help organizations create more engaging and meaningful work environments.Her book "Positive Professionals" provides science-based guidance for increasing engagement in law firms, and her forthcoming second edition will further explore how Self-Determination Theory can transform workplace cultures.Her unique background as both a practicing lawyer and organizational psychologist allows her to translate complex psychological theories into actionable strategies for professional service organizations.