Wes Adams: Making Work Matter With Community, Contribution, and Challenge

In this episode, we catch up with Wes Adams—positive psychology researcher, author, and founder of SV Consulting Group—during a walk through his hometown of Montclair, New Jersey, for a powerful conversation about what makes work meaningful. Wes shares insights from years of research into why some workplaces thrive while others burn out, and how great leaders create meaning—not just through mission statements, but through everyday moments of community, contribution, and challenge. From casual team check-ins to stretch assignments, Wes explains how small, consistent actions can build cultures where people actually want to show up. We explore what it really means to lead with purpose, how to support others without micromanaging, and why meaning—not perks—is the key to retention, engagement, and performance. Huge thanks to Wes Adams for sharing his perspective—and for helping reshape how we think about leadership and the future of work. Connect with Wes Adams Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesadams1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wesadams1/