Passion Struck with John R. Miles

How Leaders Can Help People Feel Seen

Passion Struck with John R. Miles

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10 min
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2:00
4:00
0:00 15:00 30:00 45:00
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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.

Together, John and Zach explore:

  • Why mattering is a survival instinct—not a luxury
  • How invisibility and disengagement are symptoms of a "mattering deficit"
  • What truly great leaders do to make people feel seen, heard, and needed
  • The science behind "reflected appraisals" and how small actions affirm significance
  • A simple, powerful framework: Noticing, Affirming, Needing

Whether 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.

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