We sit down with Wes Adams—CEO of SV Consulting Group and positive psychology researcher at UPenn—and Tamara Myles—speaker, author, professor, and researcher at UPenn—to unpack their new book, Meaningful Work. Together, they argue that what makes work feel worthwhile isn’t a lofty mission on a wall; it’s the daily experience we create. Their research shows leaders and environments account for nearly half of our sense of meaning at work, and they translate that into a practical playbook we can use right away.
We explore their three sources of meaning—community, contribution, and challenge—and how small actions compound. Ask about life outside of work and remember the answers to build real community. Tell impact stories so every teammate can see how their efforts help others. Pair stretch assignments with high support to create growth without burnout. And don’t overlook gratitude: a sincere “thank you” once a week can dramatically cut disengagement and burnout. This episode is a reminder that when we design for meaningful moments, performance follows.
The Biggest Helping: Today’s Most Important Takeaway
Meaning isn’t abstract—it lives in small, repeatable moments: connect with someone, notice the impact of your work, and seek growth; then amplify it with specific, weekly gratitude that tells people why their work matters.
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Produced by NOVA