In this episode of the Identity Work podcast, we engage in an honest conversation about the struggles high achievers face in finding meaning at work. We explore how shared experiences can create meaningful work environments and analyze different activities like volunteering that can be initiated by leaders to build connection and community, even in remote work settings. This episode wraps up with a reflection on how leaders should listen to their teams about what makes their work meaningful and discuss ways to foster these strengths.

In this episode of the "Identity Work" podcast, we engage in a discussion about how high achievers can derive more meaning from their current work.

Adam introduces three key strategies for crafting meaning:

1. **Task Crafting**: Modifying the tasks you do at work to align better with what you find meaningful.

2. **Relational Crafting**: Building and altering your work relationships to increase satisfaction.

3. **Cognitive Crafting**: Changing your mindset and how you perceive your work tasks. The hosts offer practical advice on how listeners can start applying these strategies in their everyday work life.

We highlight the importance of recognizing that meaning isn't binary but exists on a spectrum. They also discuss a listener question about achieving balanced effort across different life areas, in light of a Harvard Business Review article on extreme moderation.

In this episode, Adam shares his transformative experiences from a global sabbatical, during which he read 27 books on the subject of fulfilling careers. Through his exploration, Adam discovered recurring themes emphasizing personal effort and the creation of passion through hard work and embracing challenges.

Key highlights include discussions on standout books such as "Grit" by Angela Duckworth and "Deep Work" by Cal Newport, as well as the gaps in existing literature regarding organizational roles in cultivating meaningful work environments. Adam and Stephen delve into aligning individual strengths and passions with job roles, inspired by Paul Millard's "The Pathless Path," and explore how consulting roles could foster more personalized, meaningful work settings.

Additionally, the episode offers practical advice for managers on integrating conversations about meaningful work into performance reviews to enhance job satisfaction and performance. As a delightful twist, Adam and Stephen share their favorite Olympic sports, celebrating the athleticism of events like gymnastics and fencing.