Is Your Work Worth It? Prof. Michaelson & Prof. Tosti-Kharas on Meaningful Work

Prof. Christopher Wong Michaelson and Prof. Jennifer Tosti-Kharas share invaluable insights from their widely acclaimed book, “Is Your Work Worth It? How to Think About Meaningful Work.” A profound exploration of the critical questions we must ask about our work and the value it brings to our lives and society. Recent studies reveal that only a third of American workers - and even fewer globally - feel truly "engaged" at work, while nearly half are "unhappy" with their jobs. In a post-pandemic world marked by economic uncertainty and shifting job markets, many are left questioning: Is my work worth it? In Is Your Work Worth It?, a distinguished philosopher and an organizational psychologist delve into the purpose of work and its significance in our lives. The book poses essential questions, including: • When and how much should we work? • Should I work for love or money? • What would make life meaningful in a world without work? • What lasting impact will my work have? Blending rigorous scholarship with cultural references from film and literature, along with real-life narratives, this insightful book helps us define meaningful work, navigate its trade-offs, and understand how our work contributes to the greater good. Prof. Christopher Wong Michaelson holds the Barbara and David A. Koch Endowed Chair in Business Ethics at the University of St. Thomas and is an Adjunct Professor at NYU Stern. A philosopher and business ethics expert, he has over 25 years of experience advising leaders on meaningful work. He earned his Ph.D. in philosophical ethics and aesthetics from the University of Minnesota and previously served as PwC’s Strategy Officer to the World Economic Forum. Prof. Christopher is also the Opus Distinguished Professor of Principled Leadership, President of the Society for Business Ethics, and host of Work in Progress with Christopher Michaelson. Prof. Jennifer Tosti-Kharas is the Camilla Latino Spinelli Endowed Term Chair and Professor of Organizational Behavior at Babson College. She specializes in leadership, organizational behavior, and career development. Holding a Ph.D. in Management from NYU Stern and a B.S. in Economics from Wharton, her award-winning research on meaningful work has been published in top academic journals. She serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Organizational Behavior and was a guest editor for the Journal of Business Ethics. Currently, she is the Program Chair for Copenhagen 2025 for the Academy of Management’s Careers Division. Before academia, she worked as a strategy consultant at Accenture. Outside work, she enjoys skiing, yoga, and live music with her family. This podcast is brought to you by Global Management Consultancy. For more information, please visit www.globalmanagementconsultancy.com. Disclaimer: A. The background music used in this video is the property of its respective developer and is protected by Copyright. Although it is a free version, Business Talk, Global Management Consultancy and Deepak Bhatt do not hold the rights to this music. B. Prof. Christopher Wong Michaelson and Prof. Jennifer Tosti-Kharas have graciously agreed to share insights from their book, “Is Your Work Worth It? How to Think About Meaningful Work,” during their appearance on the Business Talk Podcast Channel. The uploaded video contains copyrighted material; therefore, any modifications to graphics, music, or the presence of the author or host are strictly prohibited.