Why Great Leaders Make People Feel Like They Matter | Adrian Gostick - EP 785
Passion Struck with John R. Miles
Do you ever feel like your hard work goes unnoticed? Or maybe you're a leader doing everything you can to build a great team—but people still seem disengaged, disconnected, or ready to leave. Here's what most leaders miss: People don't just want recognition. They want to know they matter.
In this episode, John R. Miles sits down with bestselling author and workplace culture expert Adrian Gostick to explore why feeling valued is one of the most powerful drivers of engagement, resilience, innovation, and performance.
Drawing on decades of research with hundreds of thousands of leaders and employees, Adrian reveals why appreciation isn't a "soft skill"—it's a leadership advantage. Together, he and John unpack why employees often feel invisible even in successful organizations, how uncertainty quietly erodes trust, and what the best leaders do to create workplaces where people genuinely want to contribute.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- Why employees often feel less appreciated than leaders believe
- How the "gratitude gap" impacts trust, engagement, and retention
- Why recognition is a fundamental human need—not just a management tool
- How exceptional leaders create psychological safety during uncertainty
- The difference between praise that feels good and recognition that changes behavior
- Practical ways to help people feel seen, valued, and motivated every day
- Why empathy, curiosity, and meaningful conversations have become essential leadership skills
Whether you lead a company, manage a team, or simply want to have a greater impact on the people around you, this conversation will transform the way you think about leadership.
Because the leaders people remember most aren't the ones who demanded the most.
They're the ones who made people believe they mattered.
Limited Time Offers:
- Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at SHOPIFY.COM/PASSIONSTRUCK
- Function Health: functionhealth.com/PASSION or use gift code PASSION25 for a $25 credit toward your membership.
- FODZYME: Get 30% off your first order at ICanEatAgain.com/PASSIONSTRUCK
Learn more about Adrian Gostick:
- Website: adriangostick.com
- LinkedIn: adriangostick
- X: @adriangostick
Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.
Explore the Show: passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.
Connect with John
- Website: johnrmiles.com
- Book John to Speak: johnrmiles.com/speaking
- Substack: theignitedlife.net
- Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: youmatterluma.com
Support the Movement: startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.
Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.
Disclaimer
The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Raw Description
In this episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles sits down with bestselling author, workplace culture expert, and leadership researcher Adrian Gostick to explore one of the most overlooked forces shaping organizations today: the gratitude gap—the disconnect between how appreciated leaders believe their people feel and how valued employees actually experience their work.<br /><br />Drawing from decades of research involving hundreds of thousands of employees and leaders, Adrian reveals why recognition is far more than a leadership skill—it is a fundamental human need. Together, John and Adrian examine why people don't simply want praise; they want evidence that they matter. Their conversation explores how unexpressed appreciation quietly fuels anxiety, disengagement, loneliness, and burnout, while cultures rooted in visible gratitude unlock trust, innovation, resilience, and extraordinary performance.<br /><br />John and Adrian also discuss why workplace anxiety has reached unprecedented levels, how leaders unintentionally create fear through uncertainty, and why the best managers act less like supervisors and more like stewards of human potential. Through compelling stories, practical frameworks, and decades of behavioral research, they show how recognition, empathy, and purpose can transform both organizations and the lives of the people within them.<br /><br />In this episode, you'll learn:<br /><ul><li>Why leaders consistently overestimate how appreciated their employees feel</li><li>How the "gratitude gap" silently undermines engagement, trust, and performance</li><li>Why recognition is a biological and psychological need—not simply a management technique</li><li>How uncertainty fuels workplace anxiety and what great leaders do differently</li><li>Why people perform at their best when they know their work contributes to something larger than themselves</li><li>The difference between generic praise and meaningful recognition that changes behavior</li><li>How situational leadership helps leaders meet the unique needs of every individual</li><li>Why empathy, curiosity, and knowing people's stories are becoming essential leadership skills</li><li>Practical ways to create cultures where people feel seen, valued, and motivated to contribute</li><li>How leading with gratitude strengthens resilience, retention, innovation, and organizational performance</li></ul>This conversation offers a practical roadmap for closing the gap between good intentions and lived experience, showing why the organizations that thrive aren't simply those with the best strategies, but those where people consistently experience that they matter.<br /><br />Passion Struck is the #1 Health and Wellness Podcast and personal growth podcast dedicated to helping people live intentionally, unlock human potential, and create lives filled with meaning, purpose, and mattering.<br /><br />Limited Time Offers:<br /><ul><li>Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at SHOPIFY.COM/PASSIONSTRUCK</li><li>Function Health: functionhealth.com/PASSION or use gift code PASSION25 for a $25 credit toward your membership.</li><li>FODZYME: Get 30% off your first order at ICanEatAgain.com/PASSIONSTRUCK</li></ul><a href="https://passionstruck.com/leading-with-gratitude-adrian-gostick/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Full Show Notes</a><br /><br />Download the Digital Workbook<br /><br />Learn more about Adrian Gostick:<br /><ul><li>Website: <a href="https://adriangostick.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://adriangostick.com</a></li><li>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriangostick/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriangostick/</a></li><li>X: <a href="https://x.com/adriangostick" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://x.com/adriangostick</a></li></ul><br /><br /><b>Connect with John </b><br /><ul><li>Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: <a href="https://matteringeffect.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://matteringeffect.com/</a></li><li>Book John to Speak: <a href="https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/</a></li><li>Keynotes, books, podcast, and resources: <a href="https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles</a></li><li>Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: <a href="https://youmatterluma.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://youmatterluma.com/</a></li><li>Substack: <a href="https://www.theignitedlife.net/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.theignitedlife.net/</a></li></ul><br /><b>Support the Movement</b>: <a href="https://startmattering.com/." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://startmattering.com/.</a> Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.<br /><br /><b>Disclaimer</b><br /><br />The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.<br /><br />
Show Notes
Do you ever feel like your hard work goes unnoticed? Or maybe you're a leader doing everything you can to build a great team—but people still seem disengaged, disconnected, or ready to leave. Here's what most leaders miss: People don't just want recognition. They want to know they matter.
In this episode, John R. Miles sits down with bestselling author and workplace culture expert Adrian Gostick to explore why feeling valued is one of the most powerful drivers of engagement, resilience, innovation, and performance.
Drawing on decades of research with hundreds of thousands of leaders and employees, Adrian reveals why appreciation isn't a "soft skill"—it's a leadership advantage. Together, he and John unpack why employees often feel invisible even in successful organizations, how uncertainty quietly erodes trust, and what the best leaders do to create workplaces where people genuinely want to contribute.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- Why employees often feel less appreciated than leaders believe
- How the "gratitude gap" impacts trust, engagement, and retention
- Why recognition is a fundamental human need—not just a management tool
- How exceptional leaders create psychological safety during uncertainty
- The difference between praise that feels good and recognition that changes behavior
- Practical ways to help people feel seen, valued, and motivated every day
- Why empathy, curiosity, and meaningful conversations have become essential leadership skills
Whether you lead a company, manage a team, or simply want to have a greater impact on the people around you, this conversation will transform the way you think about leadership.
Because the leaders people remember most aren't the ones who demanded the most.
They're the ones who made people believe they mattered.
Limited Time Offers:
- Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at SHOPIFY.COM/PASSIONSTRUCK
- Function Health: functionhealth.com/PASSION or use gift code PASSION25 for a $25 credit toward your membership.
- FODZYME: Get 30% off your first order at ICanEatAgain.com/PASSIONSTRUCK
Learn more about Adrian Gostick:
- Website: adriangostick.com
- LinkedIn: adriangostick
- X: @adriangostick
Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.
Explore the Show: passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.
Connect with John
- Website: johnrmiles.com
- Book John to Speak: johnrmiles.com/speaking
- Substack: theignitedlife.net
- Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: youmatterluma.com
Support the Movement: startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.
Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.
Disclaimer
The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Raw Description
In this episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles sits down with bestselling author, workplace culture expert, and leadership researcher Adrian Gostick to explore one of the most overlooked forces shaping organizations today: the gratitude gap—the disconnect between how appreciated leaders believe their people feel and how valued employees actually experience their work.<br /><br />Drawing from decades of research involving hundreds of thousands of employees and leaders, Adrian reveals why recognition is far more than a leadership skill—it is a fundamental human need. Together, John and Adrian examine why people don't simply want praise; they want evidence that they matter. Their conversation explores how unexpressed appreciation quietly fuels anxiety, disengagement, loneliness, and burnout, while cultures rooted in visible gratitude unlock trust, innovation, resilience, and extraordinary performance.<br /><br />John and Adrian also discuss why workplace anxiety has reached unprecedented levels, how leaders unintentionally create fear through uncertainty, and why the best managers act less like supervisors and more like stewards of human potential. Through compelling stories, practical frameworks, and decades of behavioral research, they show how recognition, empathy, and purpose can transform both organizations and the lives of the people within them.<br /><br />In this episode, you'll learn:<br /><ul><li>Why leaders consistently overestimate how appreciated their employees feel</li><li>How the "gratitude gap" silently undermines engagement, trust, and performance</li><li>Why recognition is a biological and psychological need—not simply a management technique</li><li>How uncertainty fuels workplace anxiety and what great leaders do differently</li><li>Why people perform at their best when they know their work contributes to something larger than themselves</li><li>The difference between generic praise and meaningful recognition that changes behavior</li><li>How situational leadership helps leaders meet the unique needs of every individual</li><li>Why empathy, curiosity, and knowing people's stories are becoming essential leadership skills</li><li>Practical ways to create cultures where people feel seen, valued, and motivated to contribute</li><li>How leading with gratitude strengthens resilience, retention, innovation, and organizational performance</li></ul>This conversation offers a practical roadmap for closing the gap between good intentions and lived experience, showing why the organizations that thrive aren't simply those with the best strategies, but those where people consistently experience that they matter.<br /><br />Passion Struck is the #1 Health and Wellness Podcast and personal growth podcast dedicated to helping people live intentionally, unlock human potential, and create lives filled with meaning, purpose, and mattering.<br /><br />Limited Time Offers:<br /><ul><li>Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at SHOPIFY.COM/PASSIONSTRUCK</li><li>Function Health: functionhealth.com/PASSION or use gift code PASSION25 for a $25 credit toward your membership.</li><li>FODZYME: Get 30% off your first order at ICanEatAgain.com/PASSIONSTRUCK</li></ul><a href="https://passionstruck.com/leading-with-gratitude-adrian-gostick/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Full Show Notes</a><br /><br />Download the Digital Workbook<br /><br />Learn more about Adrian Gostick:<br /><ul><li>Website: <a href="https://adriangostick.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://adriangostick.com</a></li><li>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriangostick/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriangostick/</a></li><li>X: <a href="https://x.com/adriangostick" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://x.com/adriangostick</a></li></ul><br /><br /><b>Connect with John </b><br /><ul><li>Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: <a href="https://matteringeffect.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://matteringeffect.com/</a></li><li>Book John to Speak: <a href="https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/</a></li><li>Keynotes, books, podcast, and resources: <a href="https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles</a></li><li>Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: <a href="https://youmatterluma.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://youmatterluma.com/</a></li><li>Substack: <a href="https://www.theignitedlife.net/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.theignitedlife.net/</a></li></ul><br /><b>Support the Movement</b>: <a href="https://startmattering.com/." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://startmattering.com/.</a> Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.<br /><br /><b>Disclaimer</b><br /><br />The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.<br /><br />