Zach Mercurio: How to Create a Culture Where People Truly Matter

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Episode recap:

Zach Mercurio shared the importance of creating an atmosphere where people feel significant and can express their ideas openly instead of feeling ignored or underappreciated at work. The conversation also highlighted the significance of soft skills, and the concept of "mattering" in the context of job satisfaction and well-being. The conversation ended with discussions on strategies for better noticing and hearing people, the importance of psychological safety in the workplace, and the need to recognize the value of unsung heroes in an organization.

Bio:

Zach Mercurio is the author of The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Create a Culture of Significance, published by Harvard Business Review Press. He is a researcher, author, and speaker who works with hundreds of organizations to forge purposeful leaders who enable mattering, motivation, well-being, and performance. He also serves as one of author Simon Sinek’s “Optimist Instructors.” Zach earned his Ph.D. in Organizational Learning, Performance, and Change from Colorado State University. Zach lives in Fort Collins, CO, with his wife, two sons, and two adopted dogs.

Quotes:

• "Think about what this person needs right now to best alleviate their struggle. Compassion is empathy in action, and it doesn’t have to be big."
• "Anytime you evaluate somebody, they will be on the defensive and give you a self-protective answer. You won't get the full story."
• "It is almost impossible psychologically for anything to matter to a person who doesn't first believe that they matter." 

Takeaways:

• Schedule a 3-minute personal check-in with each team member this week, asking about something specific they previously shared with you.
• Reflect on your last interaction: Did you make the person feel noticed, affirmed, or needed? Write down one concrete way you could improve.
• Pull engagement or performance data showing a team member's unique impact, then share it directly with them to demonstrate their significance.
• Create a team agreement that establishes psychological safety rules for meetings (like no interrupting, pausing before responding).

Timestamps:

[00:01] Why Work Quality Means Nothing Without People First  

[01:59] The Science Behind Feeling Valued at Work  

[04:42] Three Things That Make People Feel Like They Matter  

[07:55] Signs Your Workplace Makes People Feel Invisible  

[12:35] How Leaders Can Truly See and Hear Their Employees  

[29:29] Why Affirmation at Work Needs to Be Specific  

[34:28] The Secret to Making People Feel Truly Needed  

[41:59] How to Measure Whether Employees Feel Valued  

[44:59] Simple Daily Actions That Make People Feel They Matter  

[46:30] The Leadership Shift That Starts in Your Next Interaction

 

Conclusion:

A workplace thrives when employees know their contributions matter and feel genuinely appreciated. People are more engaged and motivated when they see that their work has purpose and their presence makes a difference. Building a culture where individuals feel recognized isn’t just good leadership—it’s the foundation of a strong, successful organization. When employees feel valued, they bring their best efforts, driving both personal and collective success.

 

Links/Resources:

Website - http://www.zachmercurio.com/

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

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