The Power of Mattering: How to Feel Valued and Valuable in Your Career episode artwork

EPISODE · Nov 25, 2025 · 41 MIN

The Power of Mattering: How to Feel Valued and Valuable in Your Career

from Squiggly Careers · host The Squiggly Career

🦞 Join our Learn Like a Lobster Sprint: https://bit.ly/4oZzJ3F This week on the Squiggly Careers podcast, Helen and Sarah borrow brilliance from Dr. Zach Mercurio’s book The Power of Mattering. They talk about how mattering goes beyond belonging, why it boosts motivation and wellbeing, and what happens when we feel invisible or replaceable at work. From personal reflections on high and low mattering moments to practical ways to help others feel noticed, affirmed, and needed, Helen and Sarah bring this idea to life with real-world examples. You’ll learn how small actions — from giving meaningful feedback to showing appreciation — can make a big difference to how people feel, perform, and connect at work. Episode 514 🦞 Pre-order Learn Like A Lobster: 🇺🇸PRH US - https://bit.ly/3KxTeBn 🇬🇧 Amazon UK - https://amzn.to/3KcRZaR ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 02:30 What is mattering? Feeling valued and valuable 04:39 Mattering vs belonging — what’s the difference? 07:42 The data: 4 in 10 people feel invisible at work 10:07 High and low mattering moments in your career 17:00 The 3 ingredients of mattering 18:44 Noticing others in meetings 22:35 Affirmation vs recognition 27:36 Making people feel needed 33:41 The mattering spectrum: meaningless, mattering, enmeshment 35:27 How to increase mattering for yourself and others 🎯 What You’ll Learn - How to understand the psychology of mattering at work - The difference between belonging and mattering - Three simple ways to help others feel valued and valuable - How to create a stronger sense of purpose and performance in your team 📚 Resources Mentioned The Power of Mattering by Dr. Zach Mercurio For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email [email protected] More ways to learn about Squiggly Careers: 📩 Download our free career tools: https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/ 🏃‍♀️ Join the Skills x AI Sprint: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNQl9gsac8BXnWe2qoGuHkLKwsygjP_Ma&si=l7kODG3JpopH0Irz 📮 Get Squiggly Careers in Action in your inbox: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction 📚 Read our books: The Squiggly Career and You Coach You: https://www.amazingif.com/books/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

🦞 Join our Learn Like a Lobster Sprint: https://bit.ly/4oZzJ3F This week on the Squiggly Careers podcast, Helen and Sarah borrow brilliance from Dr. Zach Mercurio’s book The Power of Mattering. They talk about how mattering goes beyond belonging, why it boosts motivation and wellbeing, and what happens when we feel invisible or replaceable at work. From personal reflections on high and low mattering moments to practical ways to help others feel noticed, affirmed, and needed, Helen and Sarah bring this idea to life with real-world examples. You’ll learn how small actions — from giving meaningful feedback to showing appreciation — can make a big difference to how people feel, perform, and connect at work. Episode 514 🦞 Pre-order Learn Like A Lobster: 🇺🇸PRH US - https://bit.ly/3KxTeBn 🇬🇧 Amazon UK - https://amzn.to/3KcRZaR ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 02:30 What is mattering? Feeling valued and valuable 04:39 Mattering vs belonging — what’s the difference? 07:42 The data: 4 in 10 people feel invisible at work 10:07 High and low mattering moments in your career 17:00 The 3 ingredients of mattering 18:44 Noticing others in meetings 22:35 Affirmation vs recognition 27:36 Making people feel needed 33:41 The mattering spectrum: meaningless, mattering, enmeshment 35:27 How to increase mattering for yourself and others 🎯 What You’ll Learn - How to understand the psychology of mattering at work - The difference between belonging and mattering - Three simple ways to help others feel valued and valuable - How to create a stronger sense of purpose and performance in your team 📚 Resources Mentioned The Power of Mattering by Dr. Zach Mercurio For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email [email protected] More ways to learn about Squiggly Careers: 📩 Download our free career tools: https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/ 🏃‍♀️ Join the Skills x AI Sprint: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNQl9gsac8BXnWe2qoGuHkLKwsygjP_Ma&si=l7kODG3JpopH0Irz 📮 Get Squiggly Careers in Action in your inbox: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction 📚 Read our books: The Squiggly Career and You Coach You: https://www.amazingif.com/books/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NOW PLAYING

The Power of Mattering: How to Feel Valued and Valuable in Your Career

0:00 41:18

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Leading From All Sides Abbie Mirata Discover the various styles of leadership, from leading at the forefront to steering from behind, rising to the top or empowering from the bottom. We'll explore horizontal and vertical leadership, leading through your brand, and even leading in your most intimate relationships. Join me in engaging conversations with special guests who are leaders in their careers, communities, and families. Gain insights, perspectives, and invaluable lessons that challenge traditional notions of what it means to lead. What Works? Sophie Scott, UCL PALS Prof Sophie Scott, Director of the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London, discusses life and science and careers with her colleagues from the Division of Psychology and Language Sciences at UCL, and beyond. The aim of the show is to highlight some amazing scientists, and explore their journeys through science and life, and find out what works for them. Travel Nursing & Allied Life TravCon: The Travelers Conference Travel Nursing & Allied Life is a podcast about all things related to Healthcare Travel. TravCon and The Gypsy Nurse team bring you current information about the healthcare travel industry so you can stay updated and connected throughout the year. TravCon is here to help guide and connect all healthcare professionals from all specialties, navigate their travel careers, and stay current with the trends and changes.Don't forget the Travelers Conference takes place 9/22/24 -9/25/24 at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas! Visit TravCon.org for more information! Artrepreneur Podcast art business journal You can learn a lot from listening to creative leaders talk about what made them successful. Every artist, designer and creative entrepreneur has a unique story about their journey to find professional success that can help inspire and guide yours. From happy accidents to dealing with adversity, industry innovators share their experiences, insights and advice to help you navigate your career and find your own path. What do they all have in common? They never stop learning. Neither will you when you listen to the Artrepreneur Creative Careers Podcast.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Squiggly Careers?

This episode is 41 minutes long.

When was this Squiggly Careers episode published?

This episode was published on November 25, 2025.

What is this episode about?

🦞 Join our Learn Like a Lobster Sprint: https://bit.ly/4oZzJ3F This week on the Squiggly Careers podcast, Helen and Sarah borrow brilliance from Dr. Zach Mercurio’s book The Power of Mattering. They talk about how mattering goes beyond belonging,...

Can I download this Squiggly Careers episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!