Dr. Zach Mercurio

And I quickly realized that these people only experienced their work as significant when they felt significant. And it was in very small moments. I remember one janitor told me that the most meaningful part of her job in a 20-year career was when a student walked into the building, looked her in the eye, said, hey, Susan, and said, hey, it's great to see you today.

And I quickly realized that these people only experienced their work as significant when they felt significant. And it was in very small moments. I remember one janitor told me that the most meaningful part of her job in a 20-year career was when a student walked into the building, looked her in the eye, said, hey, Susan, and said, hey, it's great to see you today.

A 20-year career, that is the moment. And then since that, for the last five years, we've been studying what is the architecture of moments of mattering? What are the things people do that create these very small moments that can dramatically alter people's career and their lives?

A 20-year career, that is the moment. And then since that, for the last five years, we've been studying what is the architecture of moments of mattering? What are the things people do that create these very small moments that can dramatically alter people's career and their lives?

A 20-year career, that is the moment. And then since that, for the last five years, we've been studying what is the architecture of moments of mattering? What are the things people do that create these very small moments that can dramatically alter people's career and their lives?

I will first say this, that every group I've talked to, I usually start with this question. Raise your hand if you'd prefer to feel insignificant at work. Nobody raises their hand. And most of the time, these audiences are boomers, Gen Xers, Gen Z, millennials. No one raises their hand and said, oh, I'm a boomer or Gen Xer, so I'd prefer to feel unimportant.

I will first say this, that every group I've talked to, I usually start with this question. Raise your hand if you'd prefer to feel insignificant at work. Nobody raises their hand. And most of the time, these audiences are boomers, Gen Xers, Gen Z, millennials. No one raises their hand and said, oh, I'm a boomer or Gen Xer, so I'd prefer to feel unimportant.

I will first say this, that every group I've talked to, I usually start with this question. Raise your hand if you'd prefer to feel insignificant at work. Nobody raises their hand. And most of the time, these audiences are boomers, Gen Xers, Gen Z, millennials. No one raises their hand and said, oh, I'm a boomer or Gen Xer, so I'd prefer to feel unimportant.

Or it's only those Gen Zers or millennials that want to feel things like seen, heard, valued. The uniting need that unites all generations is the need to feel significant. And I've actually haven't found... Any meaningful differences of the three components that we've uncovered create these experiences of mattering, which is we feel seen and heard. People notice us. We feel affirmed.

Or it's only those Gen Zers or millennials that want to feel things like seen, heard, valued. The uniting need that unites all generations is the need to feel significant. And I've actually haven't found... Any meaningful differences of the three components that we've uncovered create these experiences of mattering, which is we feel seen and heard. People notice us. We feel affirmed.

Or it's only those Gen Zers or millennials that want to feel things like seen, heard, valued. The uniting need that unites all generations is the need to feel significant. And I've actually haven't found... Any meaningful differences of the three components that we've uncovered create these experiences of mattering, which is we feel seen and heard. People notice us. We feel affirmed.

People reveal our unique gifts and show us the difference that we make, and we feel needed. And I think that ties back to thinking about mattering as an instinct first that transfers into a fundamental need. That is the essential prerequisite for everything else. I also ask people, tell me about a time something mattered to you when you didn't feel that you mattered.

People reveal our unique gifts and show us the difference that we make, and we feel needed. And I think that ties back to thinking about mattering as an instinct first that transfers into a fundamental need. That is the essential prerequisite for everything else. I also ask people, tell me about a time something mattered to you when you didn't feel that you mattered.

People reveal our unique gifts and show us the difference that we make, and we feel needed. And I think that ties back to thinking about mattering as an instinct first that transfers into a fundamental need. That is the essential prerequisite for everything else. I also ask people, tell me about a time something mattered to you when you didn't feel that you mattered.

Tell me a time when you cared about something before you felt cared for. And once people start thinking about it, it's very hard to not see how mattering comes first. It comes before everything else we say we want in our lives and organizations.

Tell me a time when you cared about something before you felt cared for. And once people start thinking about it, it's very hard to not see how mattering comes first. It comes before everything else we say we want in our lives and organizations.

Tell me a time when you cared about something before you felt cared for. And once people start thinking about it, it's very hard to not see how mattering comes first. It comes before everything else we say we want in our lives and organizations.

I have two elementary school kids right now, so I'm heavy into the recess drama. And I'll use a recess example. Belonging is like you're being picked for the team. Belonging is feeling welcomed, accepted, and connected into a group. Something like inclusion is being able to play in the game, being able to play an active role in the group.

I have two elementary school kids right now, so I'm heavy into the recess drama. And I'll use a recess example. Belonging is like you're being picked for the team. Belonging is feeling welcomed, accepted, and connected into a group. Something like inclusion is being able to play in the game, being able to play an active role in the group.

I have two elementary school kids right now, so I'm heavy into the recess drama. And I'll use a recess example. Belonging is like you're being picked for the team. Belonging is feeling welcomed, accepted, and connected into a group. Something like inclusion is being able to play in the game, being able to play an active role in the group.