Dr. Dave Ulrich is a Professor of Business, Ross School of Business, University of Michigan is undoubtedly one of the most significant expert in strategic HR. When Ulrich speaks, the profession listens.

His achievements are numerous,

• #23 on Thinkers 50,
• #1 Most Influential International HR Thinker
• Nobels Colloquia Prize for Leadership on Business and Economic Thinking
• ife Fellowship in Australia Human Resources Institute (AHRI)
• Named by Fast Company as one of the 10 most innovative and creative thinkers

…to name a few.

This interview is discussing what the requirements are to find meaning at work, what the business rational behind building ‘abundant organizations’ that  provides meaning to its employees, creates value for its stakeholders, and offers hope for humanity

Interview excerpts:

Mihaly Nagy: Your recent book the “Why of Work” is based on a simple premise: “Employees who find meaning at work will have a better work experience that will translate into improved performance, more satisfied customers, and more profitable companies.” This notion is probably not a surprise for anyone, however the question is what specific steps can an organization do in order to achieve this? Is there a recipe for success?

Dave Ulrich: We culled the literatures on meaning to identify what specific things leaders could do to instill meaning at work. We identified seven actions leaders could take to become meaning makers, each of which is associated with a question they can answer for themselves and their employees:

1. Identity: Who am I? Employees have more meaning when the strengths which shape their identity are used to strengthen others.
2. Purpose: where am I going? Employees have more meaning when they work in a company that has a meaningful purpose that engages them.
3. Relationships: Who do I travel with? Employees have more meaning when they work with people they admire, respect, and feel connected to.
4. Work environment: What are the routines or culture of our work? Employees have more meaning when their work setting is positive and affirming.
5. Work challenges: What work do I do? Employees have more meaning when they are doing work that excites and energizes them.
6. Learning and Growth: What do I learn from at work? Employees have more meaning when they are able to learn and grow from the work they do.
7. Civility and Delight: Employees have more meaning when they bring a sense of fun and delight into their work.

These are clearly not exclusive and the only factors that provide meaning, but when people we talk to think about “what makes your work meaningful?’ generally their answers fall into one of these seven dimensions.

Listen to the entire podcast here:

Download the Interview in whitepaper format:

If you are interested in interacting with Professor Ulrich in person join the 8th Annual Human Asset Summit on 13-15 November in Boscolo Budapest. More info: www.humanassetsummit.com