What does “meaningful work” really mean, and why is it so crucial not just for personal fulfilment but for building healthier, higher-performing organisations? In this thought-provoking episode, Helen Beedham is joined by Professor Ying Zhou, Director of the Future of Work Research Centre at the University of Surrey and a leading expert in job quality and employee wellbeing to unpack the latest research, challenge some big myths, and share actionable insights for leaders, managers and anyone curious about cultivating meaning in their working life.

Together, Helen and Ying explore:

⭐️ What meaningful work truly is including both the “self-realisation” (personal fulfilment) and “social justification” (positive societal impact) perspectives and how these ideas differ;

⭐️ The latest UK data on how many of us actually find our work meaningful and where so-called “bullshit jobs” fit into the story;

⭐️ The real drivers of meaningful work, why it’s less about pay, and far more about intrinsic job quality;

⭐ ️ The emerging role of AI and technology: is automation making work more or less meaningful, and how much does it really matter so far?

⭐️ Simple, research-backed advice for managers to boost meaningfulness in their teams, whatever industry you’re in.

Tune in for an evidence-based yet practical episode pulling together robust research, real-world examples, and clear recommendations to help everyone from senior leaders to those just starting out build more meaningful, impactful working lives.

About Professor Ying Zhou

Ying Zhou is Professor of Human Resource Management and Director of the Future of Work Research Centre at the University of Surrey. Her research is focused on job quality, occupation, and employee well-being. She has won research grants from the Economic and Social Research Council, the UK Government, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (with a total of £4.3 million) to analyse job quality and employee well-being in the UK and Europe. Her research has been presented to the UK Cabinet Office, House of Commons, OECD, European Commission, European Council and cited in UK, French, Welsh and EU policy documents. Her research appears in leading academic journals such as the Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Organizational Behavior, Human Resource Management Journal, and the British Journal of Industrial Relations. Ying is a recipient of the Surrey Business School Impact Award and the Academy of Management Overall Best Paper Award. Ying received her MPhil and DPhil in Economic Sociology from Oxford University.

Links:

Visit Helen’s website www.helenbeedham.com.

Check out Helen's award-winning business book: The Future of Time: how 're-working' time can help you boost productivity, diversity and wellbeing.

Leave a book review on Amazon here.

Get in touch about Helen’s Time-Intelligent Teams workshops or view/download a flier here.

Join her mailing list here.

What does freedom at work mean to you? Take my short survey here.

Pre-order my new book People Glue: hold on to your best people by setting them free (out Jan 2026) and become a book supporter to gain exclusive book-related invitations and offers.

Follow Professor Ying Zhou on Linked In here.

FInd out more about the Future of Work Research Centre.

Access the 2024 UK Skills Employment Survey.

Loved this episode?

Follow The Business of Being Brilliant, rate and review the show, and share it with friends and colleagues who care about building brighter, fairer workplaces.