Wes Adams and Tamara Myles on How to Create Meaningful Work

In this episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles sits down with Wes Adams and Tamara Myles, the brilliant minds behind Meaningful Work: How to Ignite Passion and Performance in Every Employee. They reveal how organizations can transform workplace culture, inspire employees, and drive peak performance by fostering meaning in work.

From debunking common misconceptions to sharing powerful leadership insights, Wes and Tamara provide a roadmap for leaders and individuals seeking to create a more engaged, motivated, and fulfilled workforce. Whether you’re an executive, team leader, or simply looking for ways to make your own work more meaningful, this conversation is packed with actionable wisdom you won’t want to miss.

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Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Stitcher, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Listen Notes, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform. You can watch the interview on YouTube below.

How to Ignite Passion and Performance in Every Employee: Key Insights from Wes Adams and Tamara Myles

What makes work truly meaningful? In this insightful conversation, Wes Adams and Tamara Myles explore the essential components of meaningful work and how it fuels both personal fulfillment and organizational success. They discuss the intersection of leadership, employee engagement, and the power of challenge in driving peak performance. The episode uncovers practical strategies for leaders to create a workplace culture where employees feel valued, motivated, and inspired to perform at their best. From the role of positive feedback to the balance between authenticity and authority, this discussion provides a deep dive into what it takes to transform the workplace into a source of passion and purpose.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode With Wes Adams and Tamara Myles:

• The secret to meaningful work – Why work must go beyond tasks and salary to provide a sense of purpose.
• How leadership shapes engagement – The critical role leaders play in fostering an environment where employees thrive.
• The impact of positive feedback – How simple acts of recognition and gratitude can transform workplace motivation.
• The power of challenge in performance – Why meaningful work often comes with difficulty and how to turn obstacles into opportunities.
• Microsoft’s approach to employee fulfillment – Lessons from one of the world’s leading companies on creating meaningful work experiences.
• How to balance authenticity and authority – The key to being a leader who is both inspiring and respected.

WHY IS THIS EPISODE WITH WES ADAMS AND TAMARA MYLES A MUST-LISTEN?

If you’ve ever felt disengaged at work or wondered how to inspire those around you, this episode is a game-changer. Wes Adams and Tamara Myles break down the essential elements that make work not just productive, but deeply fulfilling. Whether you’re a leader looking to enhance team performance or an individual striving for more purpose in your career, this conversation provides the insights and strategies you need to take action.

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Unlocking Meaningful Work: Insights from Wes Adams and Tamara Myles on the 3 C’s and Microsoft’s Approach

During this fascinating Passion Struck episode, expert leadership consultants, executive coaches, and authors Wes Adams and Tamara Myles shared some of the most transformative insights from their book, Meaningful Work: How to Ignite Passion and Performance in Every Employee. They broke down their framework for creating a fulfilling workplace, explored Microsoft’s innovative approach to meaningful work, and introduced the game-changing concept of the 3 C’s: Contribution, Connection, and Challenge.

The 3 C’s: A Blueprint for Meaningful Work

At the heart of Adams and Myles’ research is the 3 C’s model, a simple yet powerful formula for fostering work that feels deeply rewarding:

• Contribution – People need to feel that their work matters, not just to the company but to the broader world. When employees see how their efforts make a difference, they’re more engaged and committed.
• Connection – A meaningful workplace isn’t just about tasks; it’s about relationships. Strong connections with colleagues, leaders, and the organization’s mission fuel motivation and performance.
• Challenge – Growth and fulfillment come from being stretched beyond comfort zones. Providing the right level of challenge helps employees stay engaged and excited about their work.

Tamara and Wes emphasized that when all three of these elements are present, work becomes energizing rather than exhausting, fostering both personal and organizational success.

How Microsoft Creates Meaningful Work

A key discussion in this episode focused on how Microsoft has implemented these principles to build an environment where employees thrive. Microsoft’s workplace culture is designed to:

• Encourage Purpose-Driven Work – Employees are given opportunities to see how their contributions impact both customers and the world.
• Foster Deep Collaboration – Connection is a core value, with leaders prioritizing teamwork, mentorship, and open dialogue.
• Push for Growth Through Challenge – Microsoft embraces a “learn-it-all” mentality rather than a “know-it-all” mindset, ensuring employees are constantly growing.

Wes and Tamara shared how these principles have helped Microsoft maintain high employee engagement and innovation, proving that meaningful work isn’t just an ideal—it’s a business strategy that leads to better performance, retention, and overall job satisfaction.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to ignite passion in their workplace, improve performance, and create an environment where employees truly thrive.

THANKS, WES ADAMS AND TAMARA MYLES

If you enjoyed this interview with Wes Adams and Tamara Myles, let them know by clicking on the link below and sending each a quick shout on Instagram

Click here to show Wes Adams your thoughts about today’s episode on Instagram

Click here to show Tamara Myles your thoughts about today’s episode on Instagram

Click here to let John R. Miles know about your number one takeaway from this episode!

If you want us to answer your questions or you want John to discuss a topic on one of our upcoming Momentum Friday episodes, drop us a line at [email protected].

RESOURCES FROM THE SHOW WITH WES ADAMS AND TAMARA MYLES

Please note that some of the links on this page (books, movies, music, etc.) lead to affiliate programs for which The Passion Struck podcast receives compensation. It’s just one of the ways we keep the lights on around here. Thank you so much for being so supportive!

1. Meaningful Work’s Website
2. Tamara Myles Instagram
3. Wes Adams Instagram
4. BUY Wes and Tamara’s book Meaningful Work
5. Passion Struck Core Value System: https://passionstruck.com/the-passion-struck-core-belief-system/
6. Listen to Passion Struck’s interviews with New York Times bestselling authors Gretchen Rubin and Seth Godin.
7. Check out Passion Struck’s Episode Starter Packs on Spotify or Passion Struck starter packs to get started with the podcast.

My solo episode on Why Mattering at Work Is the New Metric Leaders Must Track

Catch My Episode with Coach Matt Doherty on How You Rebound From Life’s Toughest Moments

Watch my interview with Jessica Kriegel on How to Build an Intentional Workplace

Can’t miss my episode with Jacob Morgan on the Vital Power of Leading With Vulnerability

Listen to my interview with Ivo Brughmans on How to Navigate the Paradoxes of Leadership

Check My solo episode on Why We All Crave To Matter: Exploring The Power Of Mattering.

About Today’s Guests, Wes Adams and Tamara Myles

Wes Adams and Tamara Myles are renowned leadership consultants, executive coaches, and experts in workplace performance and engagement. Together, they co-authored Meaningful Work: How to Ignite Passion and Performance in Every Employee, a groundbreaking book that provides actionable strategies for creating fulfilling and high-performing workplaces.

Wes Adams is a seasoned leadership development expert with extensive experience in coaching executives and teams to maximize their potential. He specializes in organizational transformation, helping leaders cultivate environments that inspire motivation, purpose, and long-term success.

Tamara Myles is a sought-after workplace strategist, speaker, and consultant known for her work in positive psychology and productivity. A former Gallup-certified strengths coach, she has advised Fortune 500 companies on building meaningful cultures that drive both employee well-being and business results.

Together, Wes and Tamara are on a mission to redefine the modern workplace by equipping leaders with the tools to foster Contribution, Connection, and Challenge—the three essential elements of meaningful work. Their expertise has helped organizations worldwide unlock higher levels of engagement, innovation, and performance.

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