In Search of Meaningful Work … and What to Do if Work Stinks

Jun 1, 2021 | The Indigo Podcast

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Here’s the episode:

The data are clear about the benefits of having a sense of purpose and meaning in life. And one big piece of that for many people is their work. But what makes work meaningful? How might we make our work more meaningful, and what might we do if that’s just not possible? In this episode, we discuss:

  • What is meaningful work and why does it matter

  • How to make work more meaningful or what to do if that’s unlikely

  • Implications for people, leaders, and organizations

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Links and Other Information

Berg, J. M., Dutton, J. E., & Wrzesniewski, A. (2013). Job crafting and meaningful work. In B.J. Dik, Z. S. Byrne & M. F. Steger (Eds.), Purpose and meaning in the workplace (pp. 81-104). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Click here 

Bunderson, J. S., & Thompson, J. A. (2009). The call of the wild: Zookeepers, callings, and the double-edged sword of deeply meaningful work. Administrative Science Quarterly, 54(1), 32-57. Click here

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