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Episode 29: The Hidden Truth About Purpose at Work with Zach Mercurio

 ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ THE FREEDOM EXPERIENCE - Episode 29

The Hidden Truth About Purpose at Work with Zach Mercurio

In this powerful conversation with Zach Mercurio, we explore why purpose isn't just about having a mission statement - it's about creating environments where people truly feel they matter. Zach shares insights from his research and upcoming book about how leaders can build cultures of significance in their organizations.

๐Ÿ”‘ KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Purpose exists in every role - it's about connecting work to human impact
  • Creating purpose statements is only 1% of the work - implementation is key
  • Leaders need specific skills to help people see their significance
  • The future of work is moving toward a relationship economy
  • Less than 1% of people receive formal education in listening skills
  • Psychological safety, meaningfulness, and availability are key predictors of engagement
  • Digital communication is eroding our human connection skills

โšก KEY MOMENTS:

[03:28] Zach shares the poem that changed his perspective on purpose [05:27] Why your job isn't your purpose [12:54] How embedded purpose serves as a storyline for organizations [17:03] The NASA story - how to show people their work matters [20:30] Rethinking job descriptions through a purpose lens [26:01] The two fundamental truths about employee engagement [36:08] How the Industrial Revolution disconnected us from purpose [46:09] Why purpose statements alone aren't enough

๐Ÿ’ก POWERFUL QUOTES:

"Your purpose is not out there waiting to be found. It's right where you are waiting to be acknowledged and seen."

"It's impossible for something to matter to someone who doesn't first believe that they matter."

"When you have an embedded purpose, it serves as that storyline. But when you don't have that purpose, you get a lot of wasted energy and a lot of confusion."

๐Ÿ“š ABOUT ZACH: Zach Mercurio, PhD, is a researcher, author, and speaker specializing in purposeful leadership and positive organizational psychology. He works with organizations worldwide, including:

  • Delta Airlines
  • J.P. Morgan Chase
  • Marriott International
  • The Government of Canada
  • The National Park Service

As a Research and Teaching Fellow at Colorado State University's Center for Meaning and Purpose and one of Simon Sinek's Optimist Instructors, Zach brings both academic rigor and practical application to his work.

๐Ÿ”ฎ WHAT'S NEXT: Pre-order Zach's new book "The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Create a Culture of Significance" (Coming May 2025)

๐Ÿ”— CONNECT WITH ZACH:

Website: https://www.zachmercurio.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachmercurio/

๐Ÿ“š RESOURCES MENTIONED:

๐ŸŽง LISTEN ON: iTunes, Spotify