I sit down with Wes Adams – Founder & CEO of SV Consulting Group, researcher at the University of Pennsylvania’s Positive Psychology Center, and co-author of “Meaningful Work” – to explore what truly drives high-performing teams and meaningful careers.

Wes explains why meaningful work goes far beyond compensation, perks, or job titles. The strongest teams are built around purpose, trust, challenge, and connection. When people feel their work matters and believe their contributions have an impact, they become more engaged, resilient, innovative, and accountable.

We also discuss the critical role leaders play in shaping team culture through small everyday behaviors, from creating psychological safety and encouraging diverse perspectives to building environments where people feel comfortable sharing concerns early and collaborating openly.

Throughout the conversation, Wes highlights why human-centered leadership is becoming even more important in an increasingly AI-driven world. As technology continues to evolve, skills like empathy, communication, adaptability, strategic thinking, and trust-building are becoming some of the most valuable capabilities organizations can develop.

This was a thoughtful and practical conversation about leadership, culture, and what it really takes to build teams that thrive.