What if purpose is what drives us to act, but meaning comes from how those actions affect other people?
This week on If/Then, we’re sharing a conversation between two Stanford GSB colleagues: Think Fast, Talk Smart host Matt Abrahams and organizational behavior professor Brian Lowery.
Recorded live at Stanford’s LEAD Me2We event, Matt and Brian explore the difference between purpose and meaning, why meaning is rooted in our relationships with others, and how the way we show up shapes the people around us. They also discuss sincerity, leadership, and how to give feedback that helps people feel seen rather than judged.
It’s a conversation about the ripple effects of our interactions — and what they mean for how we work, lead, and connect with others.
Related Content:
Chapters:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:14 Meaning vs. purpose
00:02:14 How to find purpose
00:02:50 Finding meaning through service to others
00:04:49 How relationships shape identity
00:05:54 The leader’s role in shaping others
00:09:32 Self-awareness and psychological safety
00:11:10 Respecting perspectives you don’t share
00:12:23 Sincerity vs. authenticity
00:13:28 Giving feedback that people can hear
00:17:47 What it means to be a better human
00:18:57 Conclusion
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