<p>In this compelling conversation, John R. Miles is joined by Dr. Zach Mercurio, one of the world’s leading voices on purposeful leadership and the psychology of mattering. As the author of <em>The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Cultivate a Culture of Significance</em> (Harvard Business Review Press, 2025), Zach brings decades of research to a timely discussion on why people are craving something deeper at work—and how leaders can answer that call.</p><p>Click here for the full show notes: </p><p><strong>Join the Ignition Room!</strong></p><p>Join the new free Passion Struck Community to win Passion Struck merchandise! - The Ignition Room: <a href="https://station.page/passionstruck" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://station.page/passionstruck</a></p><p>Together, John and Zach explore:</p><ul><li>Why mattering is a <em>survival instinct</em>—not a luxury</li><li>How invisibility and disengagement are symptoms of a “mattering deficit”</li><li>What truly great leaders do to make people feel seen, heard, and needed</li><li>The science behind “reflected appraisals” and how small actions affirm significance</li><li>A simple, powerful framework: <strong>Noticing, Affirming, Needing</strong></li></ul><p><br></p><p>Whether you're leading a team, a family, or your own life, this episode will change the way you understand human motivation—and how to ignite potential by making others feel they matter.</p><p>Click to connect to Zach Mercurio - <a href="https://www.zachmercurio.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.zachmercurio.com/</a></p><p>Catch More of Passion Struck:</p><ul><li><a href="https://passionstruck.com/why-hustle-culture-is-toxic-john-miles/?swcfpc=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">My solo episode on Why Hustle Culture Is Toxic (And How to Break Free From It)</a></li><li><a href="https://passionstruck.com/homaira-kabir-overcome-the-tyranny-of-perfection/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Can't miss my episode with Homaira Kabir on How You Overcome the Tyranny of Perfection</a></li><li><a href="https://passionstruck.com/susan-cain-the-happiness-of-being-bittersweet/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">My episode with Susan Cain on What is the Happiness of Being Bittersweet</a></li><li><a href="https://passionstruck.com/thomas-curran-breaking-free-from-perfection-trap/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Listen to my interview with Thomas Curran on Breaking Free From the Perfection Trap</a></li><li><a href="https://passionstruck.com/matthew-weintrub-psychedelic-origin-of-religion/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Catch my interview with Matthew Weintrub on the Psychedelic Origin of Religion</a></li><li><a href="https://passionstruck.com/avoid-the-trap-of-effortless-perfection/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Listen to my solo episode on Why You Should Avoid the Trap of Effortless Perfection</a></li></ul><p><br></p><p>If you liked the show, please leave us a review—it only takes a moment and helps us reach more people! Don’t forget to include your Twitter or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally.</p><p>How to Connect with John:</p><ul><li>Connect with John on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/John_RMiles" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@John_RMiles</a></li><li>Follow him on Instagram at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/john_r_miles/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@John_R_Miles</a></li><li>Subscribe to our <a href="https://dashboard.simplecast.com/accounts/85feb7a6-7f1a-4066-9a1d-a29e70386613/shows/5ceb52e3-6ac2-4698-82cb-ce8214a5be04/episodes/3d18f7e7-d47a-4a3e-99f4-a2a73f71a28d/#" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">main YouTube Channel</a> and to our <a href="https://dashboard.simplecast.com/accounts/85feb7a6-7f1a-4066-9a1d-a29e70386613/shows/5ceb52e3-6ac2-4698-82cb-ce8214a5be04/episodes/3d18f7e7-d47a-4a3e-99f4-a2a73f71a28d/#" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">YouTube Clips Channel</a></li><li>For more insights and resources, visit <a href="https://johnrmiles.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">John’s website</a></li></ul><p><br></p><p>Want to explore where you stand on the path to becoming Passion Struck? Take our 20-question quiz on <a href="https://passionstruck.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Passionstruck.com</a> and find out today!</p><p>See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info</a>.</p>