Passion Struck with John R. Miles
Dr. Zach Mercurio on How Leaders Can Help People Feel Seen | EP 610
13 May 2025
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/Join the Ignition Room!Join the new free Passion Struck Community to win Passion Struck merchandise! - The Ignition Room: https://station.page/passionstruckTogether, John and Zach explore:Why mattering is a survival instinct—not a luxuryHow invisibility and disengagement are symptoms of a “mattering deficit”What truly great leaders do to make people feel seen, heard, and neededThe science behind “reflected appraisals” and how small actions affirm significanceA simple, powerful framework: Noticing, Affirming, NeedingWhether 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 PerfectionMy episode with Susan Cain on What is the Happiness of Being BittersweetListen to my interview with Thomas Curran on Breaking Free From the Perfection TrapCatch my interview with Matthew Weintrub on the Psychedelic Origin of ReligionListen to my solo episode on Why You Should Avoid the Trap of Effortless PerfectionIf you liked the show, please leave us a review—it only takes a moment and helps us reach more people! Don’t forget to include your Twitter or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally.How to Connect with John:Connect with John on Twitter at @John_RMilesFollow him on Instagram at @John_R_MilesSubscribe to our main YouTube Channel and to our YouTube Clips ChannelFor more insights and resources, visit John’s websiteWant to explore where you stand on the path to becoming Passion Struck? Take our 20-question quiz on Passionstruck.com and find out today!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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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. But mattering is feeling that the team wouldn't be complete without you. mattering is feeling significant to individuals in the group.
Welcome to Passion Struck. Hi, I'm your host, John R. Miles, and on the show, we decipher the secrets, tips, and guidance of the world's most inspiring people and turn their wisdom into practical advice for you and those around you. Our mission is to help you unlock the power of intentionality so that you can become the best version of yourself.
If you're new to the show, I offer advice and answer listener questions on Fridays. We have long form interviews the rest of the week with guests ranging from astronauts to authors, CEOs, creators, innovators, scientists, military leaders, visionaries, and athletes. Now let's go out there and become passion struck. Welcome to Episode 610 of the Passion Struck Podcast.
Whether this is your first time tuning in or you've been with us from the beginning, I am so grateful you're here. Together, we're building a movement grounded in one powerful idea. You don't have to settle. You can live with intention. Lead with purpose and make what truly matters, matter most. Before diving in, I've got something exciting to share.
We just launched the PassionStruck clothing line. And to celebrate, we're giving away free gear to new members of the Ignition Room. The Ignition Room is our free listener space where we go deeper after every episode with exclusive debriefs, reflection prompts, and a place to ask your questions and connect with our team.
Each new member this month will be entered into a drawing to win a PassionStruck t-shirt and hat from the new collection. To enter, just visit the show notes and join the Ignition Room. It's completely free.
today's conversation is part of an ongoing series exploring a fundamental truth mental well-being is not a side note it's the infrastructure of a purposeful life and all month long we've been diving deep into mental health awareness month and not just to raise awareness but to shift the conversation from crisis to capacity Because mental health isn't just about coping. It's about mattering.
It's about meaning. It's about feeling like you are seen, heard, and needed. Last week, I released a solo episode outlining five foundational mental health habits that can create inner resilience and emotional sustainability in the modern world. And last Tuesday, I sat down with Dr. Andrew Newberg, who revealed how belief,
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