Passion Struck with John R. Miles
Why Mattering at Work Is the New Metric Leaders Must Track | EP 573
14 Feb 2025
Chapter 1: Why do employees feel like they don't matter at work?
Coming up next on Passion Struck. You work hard, you show up, you give everything you've got. And yet, why does it sometimes feel like none of it makes a difference? Why does it feel like you could walk out tomorrow and aside from a grief goodbye email, nothing would change? You're not alone. And here's the shocking truth. The reason people check out isn't what you think.
Most of us assume people quit because of money, stress, or burnout. But what if I told you that there's something even deeper at play, something most leaders completely overlook? And that's exactly what we're unpacking today. Because there's one shift.
One fundamental truth that transformed a global company, built unshakable teams, and proved that the best leaders don't just get results, they make people want to stay. Trust me, you'll want to hear this. 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 PassionStruck. Hey there, PassionStruck fam. Welcome to episode 573.
Whether you've been with me for a while or this is your first time, this is where we challenge conventional thinking and create lives of impact. Earlier this week, we had two incredible conversations that challenged the way we think about fulfillment and excellence.
Tuesday, Dr. Shige Owishi joined me to explore a psychologically rich life, why success isn't just about happiness or achievement, but about collecting meaningful, diverse experiences. Thursday, I sat down with Katherine Morgan Schaffler, broke down the truth about perfectionism, why it's not something to fix, but something to master.
And today, we're shifting the focus, because what if the missing piece isn't just about personal fulfillment, but about how we lead and how we're led? So let me ask you something. Have you ever busted your ass at work, poured everything into a project, only to feel like no one noticed? Like your ideas don't land. Like you're invisible. Like you could disappear tomorrow.
And aside from an awkward goodbye email, nothing would change. That feeling, that's what makes people check out. And it's not about paychecks. It's not about promotions. It's not even about job security. People don't quit jobs. They quit when they stop feeling like they matter. And yet most leaders are so focused on numbers.
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Chapter 2: What is the overlooked metric that leaders must track?
You start disengaging. And that shows up because you stop speaking up in meetings. You contribute less and less. You stop volunteering for high-stakes projects. And eventually, despite the salary, despite the benefits, despite the prestige, you start looking elsewhere. Does this sound familiar?
think about this high performers don't leave for money they leave for meaning as i mentioned earlier 70 would take a pay cut just to work for a leader who gets it this is so important i want to say it again people would literally make less money just to work for a leader who makes them feel seen that is how powerful mattering is this led me to study the psychology of why we stay or why we leave
And this is where my conversation with Dr. Shige Iwishi, who was on the show earlier this week, changed everything for me. Dr. Iwishi is a leading psychologist and the author of Life in Three Dimensions. And in that podcast, we get into this incredible discussion about what makes life fulfilling. And he shared something that completely shifted how I think about leadership.
For decades, we've been told that a good life
is about two fundamental things first happiness a life filled with comfort pleasure and stability and then second meaning a life driven by purpose and long-term contribution it sounds great right except for one problem dr awishi pointed out something fascinating in countries that rank highest in happiness think of places like finland and denmark people report high life satisfaction
But when you dig deeper, many also describe their lives as predictable, maybe even a little boring. That's when he introduced a missing piece, psychological richness. A psychologically rich life isn't just happy or meaningful, Dr. Oishi told me. It's filled with varied, novel, and perspective-shifting experiences. It's about exploration, challenge, and embracing the unexpected.
And that's when it hit me. This is exactly what great leaders create. The best workplaces aren't just efficient. They aren't just mission-driven. They create depth. They create growth. They create an environment where people aren't just performing.
they're evolving this is why mattering is the single most overlooked metric in leadership the one that determines whether people stay whether they thrive and whether they give their best efforts every single day so let's talk about the mattering effect why some leaders inspire loyalty and others don't i've always thought there are two kinds of leaders let's talk about the first one
Leader A is someone you know probably very well. They're results-driven, efficient, and disciplined. They run a tight ship. They set clear goals. They hold people accountable. And on paper, they look like they're crushing it. But then there's Leader B. Leader B does all of what Leader A does. And then something more. Leader B makes people feel like they matter.
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