How do you like your job? Does it bring you purpose, or is it just a bitter necessity? You’re giving it all your time, labor, and passion, but what does it give you in return? Many in contemporary western societies are familiar with that time poor feeling that the essence of life might actually be passing them by. Moving away from classical ideas of financial gains as the fundamental purpose of labor, the question of finding meaning in, and through, work is now integrated in many popular discourses. But why is meaningful work getting so much attention at present? What is the difference between meaning and purpose and why does it matter? Who is responsible for meaningful work and who benefits from it? And, finally, how can one make their current work more meaningful; what are obstacles to and enablers of meaningful work, and when should one look for meaning elsewhere?
About Marjolein Lips-Wiersma
Marjolein Lips-Wiersma is Professor of Ethics and Sustainability at the Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand. She has spent the last fifteen years understanding the theme of meaningful work in practical and empirical ways. She has been a board director and chair of the Management, Spirituality and Religion group of the Academy of Management and regularly works with individuals, groups and organizations to diagnose and action how to create more meaningful work and work practices. Marjolein Lips-Wiersma is a Co-founder of the Map of Meaning International Trust and co-author of The Map of Meaningful Work: A Practical Guide to Sustaining our Humanity.
In collaboration with Centre for Religion, Health and Wellbeing.
