Ep. 33 - The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Create Cultures of Significance with Dr. Zach Mercurio

Written By CivilTalk

What if the most powerful thing a leader could do…
was help people feel like they matter?

In this transformative episode of the CivilTalk Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Zach Mercurio — renowned researcher, speaker, and author — to unpack one of the most overlooked yet vital forces in leadership: mattering.

We often talk about productivity, engagement, and retention — but underneath it all is a deeper question: Do people feel seen, valued, and significant where they work? Zach’s new book, The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Create a Culture of Significance (Harvard Business Review Press, 2025), offers a research-backed framework to answer that question with clarity and action.

In this episode, we explore what happens when leaders move from performative purpose to practiced significance, and how we can build organizations that truly honor human worth.

What You'll Learn:

  • Why mattering is a core psychological need — not just a nice-to-have

  • How modern workplaces often unintentionally foster invisibility

  • The difference between recognition and real significance

  • Simple daily practices leaders can implement right away

  • How to shift culture through purpose, affirmation, and shared dignity

  • What happens when teams are anchored in meaning, not just metrics

  • How AI and emotional intelligence can support more human-centered leadership

About Dr. Zach Mercurio

Zach Mercurio, Ph.D. is one of the leading voices in the fields of purposeful leadership, mattering, and meaningful work. He is the author of The Invisible Leader and The Power of Mattering, and a trusted consultant to organizations including the U.S. Army, Delta Airlines, Marriott International, and the National Park Service.

Zach earned his doctorate in Organizational Learning, Performance, and Change from Colorado State University, where he serves as a Senior Honorary Fellow at the Center for Meaning and Purpose and teaches courses on organizational behavior and development.

Resources & Links

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About CivilTalk:
At CivilTalk, we help leaders and teams grow through emotional intelligence, intentional communication, and real-world tools for human-centered leadership. Explore our resources, podcast episodes and AI Assisted ORGTALK designed to bring more civility, presence, and clarity into the workplace and beyond.

Learn more: www.civiltalk.com

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Ep. 32 - Why True Collaboration Starts with Team Culture with Dr. Vanessa Druskat