#62: Zach Mercurio, Mattering in schools and workplaces

About this episode

Zach Mercurio discusses the importance of mattering in schools and workplaces, emphasizing how small interactions can significantly impact mental health and engagement.

Zach Mercurio, PhD, is a researcher, speaker, and author whose work centres on one of our most fundamental human needs: to feel that we matter. Through his research in organisational psychology and his work with schools, workplaces, and leaders around the world, Zach explores how simple, everyday interactions shape our sense of value, connection, and wellbeing. His work offers a powerful reframe — that feeling seen, heard, and valued is not a “nice to have,” but essential for human development and thriving. In this episode, Zach and Megan explore what “mattering” really means, and how it differs from concepts like belonging and inclusion. They unpack how a sense of mattering is built through small, consistent interactions — noticing someone, affirming their value, and showing that they are needed. Zach shares how these micro-moments can have a profound impact on young people’s mental health, engagement, and sense of identity, and why the absence of mattering can contribute to disconnection, disengagement, and burnout. The conversation also explores what this means in practice for educators, leaders, and anyone working with people. Zach offers simple, tangible ways we can build a…

People in this episode

Host: Megan Corcoran

Guest: Zach Mercurio

Topics covered

• mattering
• mental health
• education
• workplace culture
• human connection

Keywords

• mattering
• mental health
• education
• workplace
• connection
• wellbeing
• engagement

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: organisational psychology

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