In this episode of Crina and Kirsten Get to Work our hosts reconsider a fundamental part of this podcast and our experiences at work – meaning.  Meaning is the why of what we do, the significance of our work, the point, what makes what we do worthwhile – big stuff.

Research shows that meaningfulness is more important to us than any other aspect of our jobs — including pay and rewards, opportunities for promotion, and working conditions. When we experience our work as meaningful, we’re more engaged, committed, and satisfied.   Meaningful Work | Michael F. Steger.

When we experience meaning at work, our performance it better, we are more loyal, our jobs become more dear to us to such an extent that we are willing to give up money, we are more engaged, our attendance is better, we are more likely to be promoted and we experience more well-being,  7 Surprising Benefits of Doing Meaningful Work.

Leaders have a significant role in creating meaning at work for those they lead.  Leaders who are able to communicate the work’s greater impact, recognize and nurture potential, articulate values and act on those values with their own personal integrity and give employee’s some freedom and autonomy in their work are more like to have employees articulate their work is meaningful. 7 Surprising Benefits of Doing Meaningful Work.

As individual women at work, we can experience more meaning in our work by being more mindful and aware- of both ourselves and others.  As we are more aware of our environment, we are better in our daily interactions and able to see and articulate what we need and be more aware of what our co-workers need. As we are more mindful and aware, we are more creative in our solutions to problems, and as we solve problems, we experience more meaning. What Makes Work Meaningful?

Meaning may be the most important element of workplace satisfaction.  It can turn the mundane into the magical.