by Tom Terez Is there such a thing as a truly meaningful workplace? If so, how does it look and feel? And what can we do to create it? I started asking these questions back in the 1980s, as I got deeply involved in the quality revolution. I thought that TQM (and its later spin-offs) would be the answer to people who wanted more than mere "job satisfaction," but wherever I turned, so many people still seemed unfulfilled. The workplace was keeping their hands busy, but their hearts and mind remained unengaged.   Get a biweekly blast of workplace humor, insight, and inspiration! Your e-mail address: . Click here for info about Tom Terez's talks and workshops.     Digging deeper into this topic, I searched libraries, bookstores, magazines, journals, and the Web for anything and everything about the search for fulfillment in the workplace. Much of what's out there is based on a first-person perspective ("My 40-year career has convinced me that..."). There also is plenty of theory ("Based on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs...") and quite a few pump-you-up books ("Wake up and tell yourself, 'This is going to be a great day!'") What I had in mind was something more down to earth and practical. And when I couldn't find it, I decided to create it. Thus was born the Meaning At Work Project. For two years, I conducted focus groups and interviews with people from all walks of life. My mission: to find out from the source what truly engages hearts and minds at work. These research conversations explored every facet of the "meaningful workplace" issue. I asked people: How do you define "meaningful workplace"? What has been your most fulfilling work experience and why? What kind of work environment would bring out the best in you? Questions like these always stirred an engaging and revealing dialogue. Following the research phase, I spent months poring over my notes, listening to audiotapes of the focus groups, going back to the notes, pondering, analyzing -- and struggling. There seemed to be so much information. Any hopes of "Five Easy Steps to a Meaningful Workplace" quickly vanished. What emerged instead was a simple metaphor: keys. Each of us has a set of factors that, for us, is what we need to have a meaningful work experience. It's much like the set of keys we carry with us at all times. For one person, the top three keys might be a deep sense of purpose, an open field to be inventive, and opportunities to build relationships. Another person's top three keys might include ownership, abundant challenges, and a good fit in the organization. The research and analysis uncovered a total of 22 keys (listed at left). They're described here, along with real-life stories to illustrate the keys and practical ideas for making the workplace more meaningful. You also get tools for immediately applying this information to your own work situation. Your challenge, then, is not only to reflect on all that this site has to offer, but also to use it to improve your corner of the work world. Read the key themes section for a quick report on research findings. Then go to layout info for guidance on how each key is presented. Then click on the keys (left) to get hundreds of detailed descriptions, anecdotes, and action ideas. Be sure to check out 12 ways to use the keys. Click here to learn about the book 22 Keys to Creating a Meaningful Workplace. HOME | 10-Minute Briefing | Free Online Tools | Insight and Inspiration | Laugh and Learn | Buzzword Bingo | Kits, Books, and Tools | Talks and Workshops | Meet Tom Terez | Bronze Access Copyright 1998-2002 by Tom Terez Workplace Solutions, Inc. P.O. Box 21444, Columbus, Ohio USA 43221-0444. Tel. 614-571-9529..mail@BetterWorkplaceNow.com BetterWorkplaceNow.com and Better Workplace Now are trademarks of Tom Terez Workplace Solutions Inc. BetterWorkplaceNow.com Privacy Policy We respect your privacy, and we know that you're too busy for unwanted e-mails. So rest assured that e-mail addresses and other information you provide through this site will never be sold, rented, or shared with any third parties.