In this compelling conversation, John R. Miles is joined by Dr. Zach Mercurio, one of the world’s leading voices on purposeful leadership and the psychology of mattering. As the author of The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Cultivate a Culture of Significance (Harvard Business Review Press, 2025), Zach brings decades of research to a timely discussion on why people are craving something deeper at work—and how leaders can answer that call.
Click here for the full show notes: https://passionstruck.com/zach-mercurio-how-leaders-help-people-feel-seen/
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Together, John and Zach explore:
- Why mattering is a survival instinct—not a luxury
- How invisibility and disengagement are symptoms of a “mattering deficit”
- What truly great leaders do to make people feel seen, heard, and needed
- The science behind “reflected appraisals” and how small actions affirm significance
- A simple, powerful framework: Noticing, Affirming, Needing
Whether you're leading a team, a family, or your own life, this episode will change the way you understand human motivation—and how to ignite potential by making others feel they matter.
Click to connect to Zach Mercurio - https://www.zachmercurio.com/
Catch More of Passion Struck:
- My solo episode on Why Hustle Culture Is Toxic (And How to Break Free From It)
- Can't miss my episode with Homaira Kabir on How You Overcome the Tyranny of Perfection
- My episode with Susan Cain on What is the Happiness of Being Bittersweet
- Listen to my interview with Thomas Curran on Breaking Free From the Perfection Trap
- Catch my interview with Matthew Weintrub on the Psychedelic Origin of Religion
- Listen to my solo episode on Why You Should Avoid the Trap of Effortless Perfection
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