Meaningful Work

Work Devotion, Identity Armor, and The Myth of Agency: Lessons from Carrie Oelberger

When we think about meaningful work, we often focus on its benefits - greater engagement, improved performance, and enhanced well-being. But what happens when work becomes too meaningful?

In this episode of Meaningful Work Matters, Andrew speaks with Carrie Oelberger, Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey School of Public Affairs and McKnight Land Grant Professor, about the complexities and potential pitfalls of deeply meaningful work.

After spending a decade working in grassroots education development in Tanzania, Dr. Oelberger earned her PhD in Organization Studies from Stanford University. Now, she bridges theory and practice by consulting with philanthropic foundations and prosocial organizations while conducting groundbreaking research on meaningful work.

Understanding the Paths to Meaningful Work

Oelberger begins by introducing two distinct paths through which work becomes meaningful: self-actualization and self-transcendence.

Self-actualization focuses on personal growth and development, while self-transcendence involves contributing to something larger than ourselves.

"Ever since I was a teenager, I was interested in trying to leave the world a slightly better place than I found it, even in small, little, micro ways."

While both paths can lead to meaningful work, Oelberger's research suggests that when both are present, work can become particularly meaningful – and potentially problematic.

The Myth of "One Size Fits All"

A key insight from Oelberger's research is that there's no universal formula for meaningful work.

Her studies have identified several key factors that influence how individuals experience meaning:

  • Intrinsic factors (learning, personal growth)

  • Extrinsic factors (rewards, benefits)

  • Relational factors (working with others)

  • Pro-social factors (impact on others)

Surprisingly, even in nonprofit and social impact sectors, pro-social motivations often rank third or fourth in importance, after intrinsic and extrinsic factors.

This challenges the common assumption that everyone in these sectors is primarily motivated by altruism.

The Dark Side: Boundary Inhibition

Perhaps the most striking finding from Oelberger's research is the concept of "boundary inhibition" – where meaningful work can actually erode personal relationships and well-being.

This manifests in three key ways:

Time-based conflict:

When individuals voluntarily spend excessive time at work, leaving less time for personal relationships and activities.

Trust-based conflict:

When work devotion leads to unreliability in personal commitments.

Connection-based conflict:

When emotional investment in work creates disconnection in personal relationships.

Interestingly, these conflicts are often less problematic when both partners in a relationship share similar levels of work devotion – what Oelberger terms "occupational value homophily".

The Identity Armor Effect

Oelberger's latest research reveals another fascinating phenomenon: how meaningful work can become a form of "identity armor," particularly among single individuals in demanding fields like international aid.

When work becomes central to one's identity, the prospect of scaling back – even to pursue desired personal goals like finding a partner – can trigger an existential crisis.

Intersectional Impact: When Identity Shapes Experience

Oelberger's research reveals that the challenges of meaningful work are not experienced uniformly across different identities and contexts.

This is particularly evident in international aid work, where personal and professional trade-offs can vary significantly based on gender, sexual orientation, and cultural context.

"Women were five times more likely to be single than men... and it was really uncommon for queer folks to be partnered and doing this work."

The stark trade-offs between meaningful work and personal relationships are especially pronounced for certain groups:

Women often face greater challenges finding partners willing to take supporting roles in their careers.
LGBTQ+ individuals navigate additional complexities in locations where being out is unsafe.
Women tend to make career alterations approximately 15 years younger than men, with significant implications for long-term career trajectory.

These findings highlight how structural inequalities intersect with meaningful work, making decisions about career and personal life particularly challenging for marginalized groups.

As Oelberger notes, even the emotional experience of decision-making becomes more stressful for these individuals, as they must constantly weigh competing personal and professional priorities against additional cultural and safety considerations.

Practical Applications and Implications

For organizational leaders, especially in nonprofit and social impact sectors, Oelberger's research suggests several important considerations:

  • Recognize that employee motivations are diverse and dynamic

  • Model healthy work boundaries

  • Challenge the "martyr complex" that can develop in mission-driven work

Looking Forward…

The conversation with Dr. Oelberger reminds us that while meaningful work is valuable, it shouldn't come at the expense of personal well-being and relationships.

As she notes, "It shouldn't have to be a choice."

Organizations and individuals must work together to create sustainable approaches to meaningful work that honor both professional purpose and personal flourishing.

In part one of our conversation with Dr. Carrie Oelberger (above), we explored how meaningful work can become a double-edged sword, particularly when work devotion becomes "identity armor."

In part two, we dive deeper into another critical paradox: the myth of agency in meaningful work, and how it affects both workers and organizations.

Understanding the Myth of Agency

Oelberger introduces a powerful concept that challenges common assumptions about meaningful work: the myth of agency, which she defines as "the false cultural idea that an individual can fully overcome structural and institutional barriers through strategic individual behaviors."

This myth is particularly prevalent in caring professions and social impact work, where individuals often enter with high hopes of creating significant change, only to encounter systemic barriers that individual effort alone cannot overcome.

Three Approaches to Frontline Work

Through her research, Oelberger has identified three distinct approaches that workers take when facing structural challenges:

State Agents
("The Processors")
Citizen Agents
("The Fixers")
Human Accompaniment
("The Companions")
How They See Themselves As bureaucrats As advocates for clients As partners with shared limits
How They Work with Clients Often blame clients for lack of progress Strongly push for clients' needs Build meaningful, compassionate relationships
Longevity and Experience Stay despite feeling burnt out or apathetic Often leave quickly to make bigger changes Stay long-term without burning out

The Power of Human Accompaniment

Perhaps the most inspiring finding from Oelberger's research is the effectiveness of the human accompaniment approach. As she explains:

"These people don't burn out, they don't leave... When you ask these people how they feel about their work, they're like, 'I feel great about my work. I feel so lucky to be doing this. I'm so inspired by my clients.'"

Rethinking Selection and Training

Oelberger challenges traditional hiring practices, particularly the emphasis on formal education for roles where lived experience and emotional intelligence might be more valuable. She advocates for:

  • Identifying actual skills needed for positions

  • Looking beyond formal qualifications

  • Recognizing the value of lived experience

  • Being open to alternative forms of expertise

"I say this as somebody with a PhD who teaches masters and PhD students," Oelberger notes. "Sometimes we require qualifications for positions that not only don't require those qualifications, but in some ways, they can make you worse at doing your job."

Building Systemic Support for Meaningful Work

The conversation culminates in a discussion of how different countries approach work support systems. Oelberger shares an illuminating example of a European aid worker who received a year of parental leave with a replacement hire - a stark contrast to American expectations.

This points to a broader need for policy-level changes that can support meaningful work, including:

  • Universal healthcare access

  • Comprehensive parental leave policies

  • Education debt relief

  • Workplace protection policies

  • Social welfare benefits

As Oelberger puts it: "If society can build the boat, then we have more time to play with the sail."

Looking Forward…

This conversation with Dr. Oelberger highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of meaningful work - one that acknowledges both individual agency and structural constraints. It suggests that creating truly sustainable meaningful work requires action at multiple levels:

  • Societal: Policy changes that provide basic security and support

  • Organizational: Rethinking hiring practices and work structure

  • Individual: Embracing approaches like human accompaniment that recognize both limitations and possibilities

The path forward isn't about trying harder within broken systems, but rather about reimagining how we support and structure meaningful work at every level.

Recommended Reading

  • Dr. Carrie Oleberger’s published work - link

  • Maslach, C., & Leiter, M. P. (2016). Understanding the burnout experience: recent research and its implications for psychiatry. World psychiatry : official journal of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA), 15(2), 103–111. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20311

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Redefining Purpose as Everyday Direction: Lessons from Patrick Hill

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In this episode of Meaningful Work Matters, host Andrew Soren sits down with Patrick Hill, a professor of psychological and brain sciences at Washington University in St. Louis. Hill's research focuses on purpose and identity development, and he offers a fresh perspectives on what it means to live a purposeful life.

Hill received his PhD from the University of Notre Dame and his BA from Indiana University. His research program examines how to cultivate a life direction and how purpose promotes adaptive lifespan development.

Hill's work challenges traditional notions of purpose; presenting it not as a lofty, unattainable goal, but as something adaptable, accessible, and actionable in our everyday lives. His insights shed light on the role of purpose in well-being, personal growth, and even physical health, often in unexpected ways.

Redefining Purpose

To start, Hill introduces a nuanced understanding of purpose, breaking it down into three key elements:

  1. Self-defining: Purpose should be personally attached and definitive.

  2. Engaging and energizing: It should lead to greater life engagement and personal agency.

  3. Future-oriented: Purpose provides direction and intentionality.

Hill emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between "big P" Purpose - often seen as world-changing and potentially anxiety-inducing - and "small p" purpose, which focuses on everyday actions that provide direction and lead to positive outcomes. This shift in perspective makes purpose more accessible and actionable for individuals in their daily lives.

"Purpose is this self-defining, self-informative life aim that gives you a direction towards engagement in life from one day to the next, one year to the next throughout the lifespan."

The Three A's of Purpose

Hill introduces the concept of purpose being adaptable, accessible, and actionable:

  • Adaptable: Purpose should evolve with an individual's life circumstances.

  • Accessible: It should be attainable for everyone, not just a privileged few.

  • Actionable: Purpose should guide daily decisions and behaviors.

This framework helps demystify purpose and makes it more approachable for individuals who might feel overwhelmed by traditional, lofty notions of purpose.

Challenges and Considerations

One significant challenge Hill addresses is "purpose anxiety" - the stress and pressure individuals feel when asked to define their life's purpose. This anxiety can be particularly prevalent in workplace settings where employees are asked to align with organizational purpose statements.

Hill suggests that instead of focusing on grand, overarching purposes, individuals and organizations should concentrate on identifying smaller, more immediate sources of meaning and direction. This approach can help alleviate anxiety and make purpose more accessible to everyone.

Hill's Model: Sense of Purpose

Dr. Hill's research emphasizes the importance of fostering a "sense of purpose" rather than identifying a single, grand purpose. This model focuses on:

  1. Feeling a sense of direction

  2. Having goals that provide personal definition

  3. Engaging in activities that energize and feel meaningful

This approach has been linked to various positive outcomes, including reduced risk of cognitive impairment, lower mortality rates, and improved well-being.

Practical Applications and Implications

For individuals:

  1. Reflect on daily activities that provide a sense of direction and energy

  2. Engage in dialogue about purpose with peers and colleagues

  3. Focus on building a sense of purpose rather than defining a single, grand purpose

For organizations:

  1. Foster environments where employees can discuss and explore purpose

  2. Break down organizational purpose into specific, actionable activities

  3. Allow for individual interpretation and alignment with organizational purpose

Hill emphasizes the importance of dialogue in exploring purpose:

"The most important thing for the purpose anxiety is having the scaffolding and the social connections along the way to help you explore."

Conclusion

Patrick Hill's research offers a refreshing and practical approach to understanding purpose in our lives and work. By reframing purpose as something adaptable, accessible, and actionable, Hill provides a pathway for individuals and organizations to cultivate meaningful engagement without the anxiety often associated with grand purpose statements.

As we navigate the complexities of modern work life, this nuanced understanding of purpose can help foster environments where individuals can thrive, find direction, and contribute meaningfully - not just to their organizations but to their own sense of fulfillment and well-being.

Resources for Further Exploration

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Purpose as an Active Commitment: Lessons from William Damon

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In this episode of Meaningful Work Matters, host Andrew Soren engages with William Damon, Professor of Education at Stanford University and Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution.

As one of the world's leading researchers in human development and a pioneer in the study of how people find purpose, Damon brings decades of insight to the discussion of meaningful work and purpose-driven lives.

The Triple Helix of Good Work

William Damon introduces the concept of the "triple helix" of good work, which emerged from his collaborative research with Howard Gardner and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. This model posits that truly meaningful and impactful work requires the integration of three essential elements:

  1. Excellence: A commitment to high-quality performance and continuous improvement

  2. Engagement: Genuine interest and enjoyment in one's work

  3. Ethics: Adherence to moral principles and values in professional conduct

Damon emphasizes that all three components are necessary for work to be truly "good." He explains:

"Two out of the three weren't enough. You have to be dedicated to ethics, a commitment to excellence, and a commitment to being engaged, to enjoying what you're doing."

This holistic approach to work aligns closely with eudaimonic well-being, reflecting Aristotelian ideals of living a life of virtue, engagement, and the pursuit of one's full potential.

Purpose as an Active Commitment

Central to Damon's research is his definition of purpose, which he articulates as "an active commitment to accomplish something that is both meaningful to the self and of consequence to the world beyond the self."

This definition encompasses several crucial elements:

  • Active commitment: Purpose requires sustained effort and action, not just thought or belief

  • Accomplishment: There must be a goal or outcome to work towards

  • Personal meaning: The pursuit must resonate with the individual's values and interests

  • Beyond the self: The impact of one's efforts should extend to the broader world or community

Damon clarifies that purpose doesn't necessarily equate to altruism, stating, "You can attempt to accomplish something for the world beyond the self that doesn't have to do with satisfying other people."

He provides examples of scientists studying black holes or artists creating unconventional music, emphasizing that purpose can be found in various forms of contribution to knowledge, art, or society.

Challenges and Considerations

While purpose and meaningful work offer numerous benefits, Damon acknowledges potential challenges:

  1. The dark side of meaningful work: Highly purposeful individuals may be at risk of exploitation or burnout, especially in fields like healthcare or non-profit work.

  2. Balancing merit and equality: Damon addresses recent critiques of meritocracy, arguing that the pursuit of excellence and recognition of merit are essential for societal progress and individual fulfillment.

  3. Generational shifts: While cautious about overgeneralizing cohort differences (eg Gen X vs Gen Y), Damon notes that there are changing attitudes towards work-life balance and the questioning of traditional work ethics among younger generations.

Damon's Model of Purpose Development

Drawing from his extensive research, Damon presents a model of how purpose develops over the lifespan:

  1. Gradual development: Purpose often emerges slowly, with fits and starts, particularly in late adolescence and early adulthood.

  2. Trial and error: Many individuals experience setbacks and periods of cynicism before finding their purpose.

  3. Adaptability: As life circumstances change, individuals may need to adjust their purpose or find new sources of meaning.

  4. Encore purposes: In later life stages, such as retirement, people often discover new purposes aligned with their evolving capacities and interests.

This model emphasizes the dynamic nature of purpose and the importance of remaining open to new sources of meaning throughout life.

Practical Applications and Implications

Damon offers several strategies for cultivating purpose, particularly for younger individuals:

  1. Fostering gratitude: Encouraging appreciation for learning opportunities and life experiences can set the stage for purpose development.

  2. Developing a sense of service: Instilling the idea that "it's not all about you" helps individuals connect their efforts to broader societal needs.

  3. Balancing multiple life domains: Recognizing that purpose can be found in various areas, including work, family, civic engagement, and personal interests.

For organizations, Damon stresses the importance of authentic leadership in creating purposeful work environments:

  • Clearly articulating the organization's mission and its value to society

  • Aligning incentives with both organizational success and societal benefit

  • Fostering a culture of integrity and ethical behavior

Conclusion

William Damon's insights offer a rich perspective on the development and cultivation of purpose throughout life. By understanding purpose as an active commitment that extends beyond the self, individuals and organizations can work towards creating more meaningful, impactful, and fulfilling work experiences.

As we navigate the complexities of modern work life, Damon's research provides valuable guidance for fostering purpose-driven lives and careers.

Resources for Further Exploration

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The Stress-Meaning Paradox: Lessons from Jess Annison

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In this episode of Meaningful Work Matters, host Andrew Soren engages with Jess Annison, a UK-based positive psychology practitioner, leadership coach, and career consultant. Annison, who recently completed her master's thesis in applied positive psychology, shares her research on the intricate relationship between stress and meaningful work.

With a background in organizational change and major projects, including work on the London 2012 Olympic Games and as director of change for Europe's largest open-access university, Annison brings a wealth of practical experience to her academic pursuits. Her passion for helping people find meaning in their work, coupled with her firsthand experience of the stresses that can accompany deeply meaningful roles, led her to explore this complex topic.

The Complex Relationship Between Stress and Meaningful Work

Annison's research, published in Frontiers in Psychology, reveals a nuanced and bidirectional relationship between stress and meaningful work. Using a grounded theory approach, she identified six "complex handshakes" or ways in which stress and meaningfulness interact:

These relationships highlight the intricate nature of meaningful work, which Annison describes as having "intricate tensional knots." She emphasizes that "nothing in life is so simple that it's ever wholly great," underscoring the importance of acknowledging both the benefits and potential drawbacks of meaningful work.

Stress as a Component of Work Experience

Annison frames stress within the context of the job demands-resources theory, where stress arises when job demands exceed an individual's resources to cope. She explains that while some stress can be beneficial, chronic or acute stress can lead to various mental and physical health problems.

"Stress is when we experience challenging circumstances or demands that exceed our resources, that exceed our ability to cope.”

This definition helps listeners understand that stress is subjective and can vary based on individual perceptions and available resources.

Challenges and Considerations

The research highlights several challenges associated with meaningful work:

  • Potential for overwork and burnout due to deep care for the work

  • Difficulty maintaining work-life balance

  • Risk of exploitation when passion is used to justify poor working conditions

  • Stress potentially diminishing the perceived meaningfulness of work

Annison cautions against viewing meaningful work as a "silver bullet" for workplace well-being and emphasizes the need for awareness of these potential downsides.

Annison's Research Findings

Annison's qualitative study revealed that the relationship between stress and meaningful work is often simultaneous and complex. Participants reported experiencing both positive and negative effects concurrently. For example, meaningful work might exacerbate stress while also helping to alleviate it at the same time.

One participant aptly summarized this complexity: "A few things in life are easy and worth doing," which became the title of Annison's research paper. This phrase encapsulates the idea that worthwhile endeavors often come with challenges.

Practical Applications and Implications

To navigate the complex relationship between stress and meaningful work, Annison suggests:

For individuals:

  • Reflect on personal experiences of stress and meaning in work

  • Journal or discuss with a mentor to gain clarity

  • Make adjustments to reduce stressors or boost coping resources

  • Ensure meaningful work is part of a broader meaningful life

For organizations and leaders:

  • Be mindful of unintended consequences of promoting meaningful work

  • Provide space for discussions about stress and meaning

  • Balance high-pressure periods with time for recovery

  • Role model good practices in managing work-life boundaries

Conclusion

Jess Annison's research provides valuable insights into the nuanced relationship between stress and meaningful work.

By acknowledging both the benefits and challenges of deeply engaging work, individuals and organizations can better navigate the complexities of creating fulfilling career experiences while maintaining well-being.

Resources for Further Exploration

  • Jess Annison's website: www.jess-annison.com

  • Research paper: "Few Things in Life Are Easy and Worth Doing: A Grounded Theory Study of the Relationship Between Stress and Meaningful Work" (available through Frontiers in Psychology)

  • Upcoming book: "Career Crafting: How to Conquer Your Mid-Career Crisis and Create Your Most Meaningful Work Life" (release date: early 2025)

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Unlearning Silence: Lessons from Elaine Lin Hering

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In this episode of Meaningful Work Matters, host Andrew Soren speaks with Elaine Lin Hering, author of the new book "Unlearning Silence: How to Speak Your Mind, Unleash Talent, and Live More Fully."

Elaine, a recovering attorney turned accidental author, has dedicated her career to improving how we communicate with each other. Her work focuses on helping people show up authentically in the workplace and in life.

Unlearning Silence

Lin Hering introduces the concept of "unlearning silence" as a crucial step in creating more authentic and effective workplace communication. She defines silence in this context as feeling that there isn't enough room for one's ideas, insights, needs, goals, hopes, and concerns in a relational system, whether at work or in personal relationships.

Lin Hering explains:

"Silence is when you feel like you're not going to be well received, and so the outcome that makes more sense is to keep your mouth shut."

This silence can manifest in various ways, such as the "meeting after the meeting" phenomenon or the need for employees to censor or edit themselves.

The process of unlearning silence involves:

  1. Awareness of one's assumptions about voice and silence

  2. Interrogating these assumptions

  3. Experimenting with new behaviors

  4. Building a supportive team

The Complexity of Authenticity at Work

Lin Hering delves into the nuanced topic of authenticity in the workplace, particularly for individuals with subordinated identities. She highlights the challenges of bringing one's authentic self to work when facing an uphill battle against dominant cultural norms.

"Every organization, every team has a dominant culture," Lin Hering explains. "And it is driven by the people who carry that identity... If you carry the subordinated identity, meaning not the dominant, you are inherently pushing uphill."

This concept raises important questions about how organizations can create environments where diverse voices are truly valued and heard.

Challenges and Considerations

Lin Hering acknowledges that there can be real costs to speaking up in the workplace. She emphasizes the importance of agency in deciding when to speak and when to remain silent. The challenge lies in distinguishing between silence that is strategic and empowering versus silence that is oppressive and disempowering.

"The difference between silence that is additive or strategic and the silence that is oppressive is agency," Lin Hering notes. This nuanced understanding of silence challenges the simplistic "speak up" culture often promoted in workplaces.

Awareness and Action

Lin Hering presents a two-part framework for unlearning silence:

Awareness: Recognizing our assumptions about voice, silence, and who gets to speak in various contexts.

Action: Interrogating these assumptions, experimenting with new behaviors, and building a supportive network.

This framework emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and intentional behavior change in creating more inclusive and authentic communication environments.

Practical Applications and Implications

For individuals:

  • Regularly ask yourself, "What do I think?" and "What do I need?" to reconnect with your authentic voice.

  • Start with small experiments to practice using your voice in low-stakes situations.

  • Build a supportive team around you, including mentors, peers, and media sources that reinforce your values.

For managers and leaders:

  • Recognize that not everyone communicates or processes information like you do.

  • Actively design communication and work processes that accommodate diverse styles and preferences.

  • Create opportunities for new hires to act as "culture detectives," leveraging their fresh perspectives to question established norms.

Final Thoughts

Unlearning silence connects deeply to the broader themes of meaningful work, employee well-being, and organizational culture. By creating environments where people feel empowered to express their authentic selves, organizations can tap into diverse perspectives, increase innovation, and improve overall job satisfaction.

Lin Hering’s work also touches on important issues of equity and inclusion in the workplace, highlighting how dominant cultural norms can silence marginalized voices and limit the potential for true diversity of thought.

"We're co-creating culture and everyone owns it. So what is my role in creating a space where each human being experiences dignity and belonging at work and is able to do their best work?"

Resources for Further Exploration