Work engagement means being actively involved with impactful work that absorbs attention. Engaging work is important for well-being. Four Cs of work that is meaningful are:
• Contribution (impact) – Work that has purpose and makes a difference.
• Challenge (growth) – There is a balance of challenge and skill that leads to flow, opportunities to use strengths, to learn and develop skills.
• Choice (autonomy) – Agency to act independently and influence outcomes.
• Community (belonging) – A supportive environment with positive relationships.
The TED talks and books below are a guide through finding meaningful work, planning, and developing teamwork and leadership skills.
Links to the TED talks (plus more) are at the Work Engagement Pathway Pinterest board. Amazon affiliate links to the books provide a small commission that helps to support the Daily PlanIt.
I. SIGNIFICANT WORK (learn more at Career Search Process)
↳ CALLING
Make Your Job a Calling by Brian Dik, TED talk How to find and live your calling
↳ MEANING
The Purpose Effect by Dan Pontefract, TED talk the The purpose effect
↳ FIT
Unsuited by Ryan Clements, TED talk What they don’t teach you about career fulfillment in school
II. TEAMWORK (learn more at Teamwork)
↳ COMMUNICATION (learn more at Pathway to Communication)
Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazi, TED talk Interdependent leadership
↳ EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE (learn more at Emotional Intelligence and the Clarity Pathway)
Radical Candor by Kim Scott, TED talk How to lead with radical candor
↳ PERSONALITY (learn more at the Psychology Pathway)
The Five Dysfunctions of Teams by Patrick Lencioni, TED talk Are you an ideal team player?
III. PLANNING (learn more at Purpose Planning)
↳ VISION
Winning Tools by Matthew Mitchell, TED talk Building vision
↳ PURPOSE (learn more at Purpose Pathway)
Body of Work by Pamela Slim, TED talk Finding purpose in the new world of work
↳ STRATEGY
Your Strategy Needs a Strategy by Martin Reeves, TED talk Your strategy needs a strategy
IV. LEADERSHIP (learn more at Leadership Skills)
↳ ASSESS and ALIGN
Principles by Ray Dalio, TED talk How to lead a company where the best ideas win
↳ INSPIRE with INTEGRITY
Start with Why by Simon Sinek, TED talk How great leaders inspire action
↳ MOTIVATE CHANGE
Beyond Great by Jim Hemerling, TED talk 5 ways to lead in an era of constant change
This is one of a series of pathways through TED Talks for building a life of meaning. The Aspire Pathway Pinterest board includes more TED talks and books for learning about productivity and goal setting. See also posts about Motivation, the Career Search Process, the Work Skills List, Top Skills Employers Want, Learning Activities for Work Engagement, Skills for Career Advancement, Work Goals, and the Work Skills Toolkit. Find more pathways and TED talks by speakers who are also authors at TED Talk Book Discussion.
I seek to create order from the chaos of complex information. Join me at the Daily PlanIt to gain insights, inspiration, and information to increase skills for a better life. I unlock the power of teaching reading with phonics in the pursuit of literacy at www.phonicspow.com. In my spare time I explore books and movies, often choosing titles available on both screen and page.
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