As a consultant, I often find myself navigating the complex web of workplace dynamics. One of my most memorable experiences involved a conversation with a manager named Tom. Tom was deeply concerned about his team’s morale. “It feels like they’re just going through the motions,” he confided during our first meeting. “How can I help them feel like their work actually matters?”
Tom wasn’t the type of leader who shrugged off disengagement. He wanted his team to thrive—not just for productivity but because he genuinely cared. Over the next few weeks, we worked together to unpack what “meaningful work” really means and how to cultivate it within his team.
The Search for Meaning
At its core, meaningful work is about connection: the link between what we do every day and the values, goals, or outcomes that resonate deeply with us. For some, it’s about contributing to a larger purpose, like improving lives or making the world more sustainable. For others, it’s the small but significant victories—a job well done, recognition from peers, or mastering a challenging skill.
But here’s the twist: meaning isn’t one-size-fits-all. What inspires one person might leave another cold. Tom’s challenge was to understand what sparked meaning for each of his team members and to create an environment where they could see their personal values reflected in their roles.
Small Changes, Big Impacts
We started by helping Tom create opportunities for open dialogue. He began holding one-on-one meetings, asking thoughtful questions like, “What do you enjoy most about your work?” and “What parts of your role feel the most rewarding—or frustrating?”
Through these conversations, he discovered that one employee, Sarah, found meaning in mentoring new hires, while another, Raj, was passionate about solving customer problems. Armed with this insight, Tom made small but impactful changes—he encouraged Sarah to take a lead role in onboarding and gave Raj more freedom to troubleshoot complex issues.
Building a Culture of Meaning
While these adjustments helped individual employees, Tom knew the entire team needed a collective sense of purpose. Together, we crafted a shared mission statement, highlighting how their work contributed to the company’s larger goals. Tom also started celebrating wins that aligned with their mission, reinforcing the value of their contributions.
Lessons for Leaders—and Everyone Else
Meaningful work isn’t just about finding your dream job; it’s about discovering—or creating—meaning in the work you already do. As Tom learned, this requires curiosity, empathy, and a willingness to experiment. Whether you’re a leader or an individual contributor, here are a few steps to start:
Reflect on What Matters to You: What aspects of your work resonate with your values or goals? If the answer isn’t obvious, think about moments when you felt proud or fulfilled.
Communicate and Listen: If you’re a manager, take the time to understand what drives your team. If you’re an employee, don’t hesitate to share your aspirations with your leader.
Seek Opportunities to Align: Find ways to connect your daily tasks to the bigger picture. Can you take on projects that excite you or tweak your approach to make work more fulfilling?
Conclusion
Tom’s journey wasn’t about completely transforming roles or overhauling processes; it was about paying attention and making intentional changes. By doing so, he didn’t just help his team find meaning—he rediscovered his own. And perhaps that’s the most important takeaway: meaningful work starts with a willingness to care.
So, what does meaningful work mean to you? And what steps can you take today to bring more of it into your life?