With the title of the book, I knew what I was going to be listening to. I thought that the book delved into the details pretty quickly and stayed at a level that most people could understand. The book was also focused on the employee and the supervisor, which allows more readers and a larger effect of this book.
Reminding workers and supervisors that work being meaningful is beneficial on every level.
This book gave great examples on how to make work meaningful. Both in a general way, as well as with specific stories.

I enjoyed the narrators voice throughout the entire book.

Thank you to Hachette Audio, PublicAffairs, and NetGalley for an ALC and ARC of this book!

Meaningful Work by Wes Adams and Tamara Myles is a compelling and insightful audiobook that tackles one of the most pressing issues in today’s workplace: how to create environments where employees find true meaning in their work. As organizations grapple with challenges such as burnout, remote work, and the changing expectations of employees, this book offers a practical, research-backed approach for leaders who want to inspire high performance, well-being, and even profitability.

Drawing on decades of research, including their own multi-year study, Adams and Myles present a clear and actionable framework based on the science of positive psychology. They emphasize that employees’ belief in the meaningfulness of their work is the true driver of happiness, engagement, and productivity. By focusing on the "three Cs"—Community, Contribution, and Challenge—leaders can foster a culture where employees not only thrive but also help propel the organization forward.

The audiobook is rich with real-world examples and stories from admired leaders, making it relatable and inspiring. The authors demonstrate that meaning is not reserved for high-level executives or creative roles but can be cultivated in every type of job, from customer service to corporate leadership. Through small, consistent actions, any leader can enhance the sense of purpose among their team members.

Meaningful Work is a valuable resource for anyone in leadership roles who wants to understand the profound impact of creating a meaningful workplace. The audiobook presents a powerful case for why meaning matters at work and offers practical steps for making it a cornerstone of leadership practice. Whether you manage a large team or a small group, this audiobook provides the tools and inspiration to foster a culture where employees feel connected, valued, and motivated to perform at their best.

Thanks to NetGalley for the Audio ARC!

This was one of the best non-fiction books I've read in a very long time. The authors were concise and well spoken and all examples were relevant and perfectly applied to their sections. Everything was relevant to the current working world and political climate, but more importantly the steps and advice was reasonable and actionable.

Absolutely a book I will be recommending to everyone in my life and one I will likely reread often.

𝘔𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘬 by Wes Adams and Tamara Myles is a thoughtful and actionable exploration of what it takes to find fulfillment in our professional lives, particularly in a world where traditional job structures are being reshaped by automation and artificial intelligence. The authors offer an interesting framework rooted in three essential pillars: Contribution, Community, and Challenge. They assert these elements combine to create an ecosystem where work can transcend tasks and become a source of actual purpose.

What makes this work resonate is its insistence that humanity—not machinery—is the cornerstone of meaningful work. They unpack the idea that jobs of the past relied on muscles, more recent roles relied on brains, and increasingly, the work of the future will rely on the heart. As someone who has built a new business and category directly on heart, this resonated with me powerfully. As technology usurps more of our knowledge work, automation and algorithmic creativity can dehumanize our interactions. By building spaces where people feel valued for their contributions, connected to a supportive community, and challenged to grow, organizations can turn the Pygmalion Effect—a zone of possibility created through expectation and belief—into a powerful force transformation. I love how they use the humble goldfish - frequently called out as a metaphor for our dwindling attention span - gets a bit of a makeover in their last pages. They note that if given the space to spread out, goldfish can grow to the size of a golden retriever. The same goes for empowered employees encourages to have a growth mindset by leaders that care about their employees coming to work for a purpose, not just a paycheck.

The authors also remind us that it doesn’t take grand gestures to create change. Their idea of “it only takes a minute to win it” underscores the value of small, intentional actions that engage and elevate others. This mindset is the essence of servant leadership (something my father and my great mentor Morgan Underwood taught me). It challenges us all to be stewards of meaning, no matter our title. 𝘔𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘬 is more than a book about careers—it’s a manifesto for using the workplace to empower humanity, even as the nature of work evolves.

Meaningful work emphasizes the importance of connections and communities. In today's world, we rely on work to be more than just a place where we get a paycheck. We are looking for meaning, purpose, and hope. This book reminds us that our impacts can be widespread, no matter what field we are in. This book shows exactly how important knowing the purpose of an organization is and why we crave to do something of importance.

Thank you to Hachette Audio and Netgalley for this Audio Arc. I cannot wait for this book to come out to buy it for my leadership library!

Meaningful Work by Wes Adams and Tamara Myles is a thoughtful and insightful exploration of how to find purpose and fulfillment in your professional life. The authors take a deep dive into the concept of meaningful work, offering practical advice, exercises, and real-world examples to help readers navigate their careers with intention and passion.

What I really appreciated about this book is its ability to balance inspiration with actionable strategies. It doesn't just preach the importance of finding purpose—it gives you the tools to discover it and make it a part of your daily work life. The writing is engaging and clear, and the book is filled with reflective prompts that encourage you to examine your values and how they align with your work.

Though some of the concepts may feel familiar if you’ve read other self-help or career-focused books, Meaningful Work still provides fresh perspectives and valuable insights for anyone looking to make their work life more fulfilling. It’s an uplifting and motivational read for those seeking greater purpose in their careers.

If you’re looking to connect your work to a deeper sense of meaning, this book is definitely worth picking up.

Positive psychology in the workplace is a topic that is well-trod, but I always appreciate the opportunity to read the newest works, especially those that reference post-pandemic workplaces. Using real examples of companies such as Zappos, Patagonia, Google, Reddit, and other Fortune 500 companies, the authors look at what companies are doing well, and why it matters.

Throughout many of the psychology books I read, whether the topic is parenting, professional work, or personal improvement, it is heartening to hear some of the same truths that are universal. For instance: connections matter. Our work improves when we feel that our work is meaningful and we have a peer to learn from or share ideas with. Kindness matters--yes it will make the company money if we have good customer service, but it also strengthens our own positive feelings and helps us find meaning. Taking a deep breath to reset helps when we receive feedback, and gives us time to "practice the pause", as we organize our thoughts and formulate a response.

This is an entertaining read, with positive maxims that will benefit any adult who is working or looking to join the workforce, and hopefully will inspire managers to take some of these messages to heart.

‘Meaningful Work’ by Wes Adams and Tamara Myles is not my usual sort of read, and yet it truly resonated with me.
The authors, who also narrate the audiobook, were incredibly engaging and made the content feel personal and accessible. This book stands out from typical business literature because it isn’t harsh towards either employees or employers. Instead, it’s rooted in practical advice and real-life examples, offering tangible steps and exercises to help individuals find meaning in their work and ensure that everyone in an organisation feels valued.

At a time when work is undergoing one of the most significant transformations in over a century — whether it's the shift to remote work, the rise of burnout, job (in)security, or the changing values of employees — leading a company has never been more complicated. Yet, one key factor remains at the heart of high-performing teams: the belief that their work is meaningful.

In ‘Meaningful Work’, the authors draw on positive psychology and decades of research to show why and how leaders can prioritise meaning in their leadership practices. The book is a practical guide, including insights from their own multi-year study on meaning in the workplace and examples from leaders across various industries.

The authors explain that when employees find meaning in their work, it leads to higher engagement, happiness, productivity, and better financial performance. They break it down into three essential components for creating a meaningful workplace culture: Community, Contribution, and Challenge.

Whether you’re managing a team, or a member of a team at work, ‘Meaningful Work’ provides actionable strategies to inspire passion and improve performance in every role.

Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the advanced copy.