Zach Mercurio
PhD
CO, USForge purposeful leaders and positive organizations that activate more meaning, motivation, well-being, and performance in work and life with author and award-winning researcher Dr. Zach Mercurio.
Zach Mercurio, Ph.D. is a researcher, author, and speaker specializing in purposeful leadership, mattering, meaningful work, and positive organizational psychology.
He wrote The Invisible Leader: Transform Your Life, Work, and Organization with the Power of Authentic Purpose. His forthcoming book The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Create a Culture of Significance will be released by Harvard Business Review Press in 2025.
Zach works with hundreds of organizations around the world to forge purposeful leaders who enable mattering, motivation, well-being, and performance. Some of his clients include the U.S. Army, USA Wrestling, J.P. Morgan Chase, Delta Airlines, Marriott
International, The Government of Canada, and The National Park Service. He also serves as one of author Simon Sinek’s “Optimist Instructors.”
Zach earned his Ph.D. in Organizational Learning, Performance, and Change from Colorado State University where he serves as a Research and Teaching Fellow in the Department of Psychology's Center for Meaning and Purpose and as an Instructor in the Organizational Learning, Performance, and Change program.
His research on meaningful work has been awarded by The Association for Talent Development, The Academy of Management, and The Academy of Human Resource Development.
Zach lives in Fort Collins, CO with his wife, two sons, and two adopted dogs.
Zach Mercurio, Ph.D. is a researcher, author, and speaker specializing in purposeful leadership, mattering, meaningful work, and positive organizational psychology.
He wrote The Invisible Leader: Transform Your Life, Work, and Organization with the Power of Authentic Purpose. His forthcoming book The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Create a Culture of Significance will be released by Harvard Business Review Press in 2025.
Zach works with hundreds of organizations around the world to forge purposeful leaders who enable mattering, motivation, well-being, and performance. Some of his clients include the U.S. Army, USA Wrestling, J.P. Morgan Chase, Delta Airlines, Marriott
International, The Government of Canada, and The National Park Service. He also serves as one of author Simon Sinek’s “Optimist Instructors.”
Zach earned his Ph.D. in Organizational Learning, Performance, and Change from Colorado State University where he serves as a Research and Teaching Fellow in the Department of Psychology's Center for Meaning and Purpose and as an Instructor in the Organizational Learning, Performance, and Change program.
His research on meaningful work has been awarded by The Association for Talent Development, The Academy of Management, and The Academy of Human Resource Development.
Zach lives in Fort Collins, CO with his wife, two sons, and two adopted dogs.
Create a Culture Where Everyone Matters
Creating mattering is also a skill that leaders, educators, and parents can learn.
In this experience that's been featured by author Simon Sinek, you will:
- Discover the three ingredients for creating mattering at work and why they're vital for...
Lead with Purpose
Research finds that people who work with or for a Purposeful Leader are more resilient and higher-performing.
Why?
When people are connected to purpose, they are four times more likely to be engaged, are more motivated, learn faster and are more fulfilled.
Yet, while 79 percent of leaders rightly think that staying aligned with a central, human-centered reason for being (purpose) is...
Activate Purpose in Work: How to Experience Everyday Fulfillment
Eighty-three percent of people in diverse occupations identify that finding meaning in work is a daily top priority, and more than 50 percent of people across numerous occupations and industries indicate they would take a lower-paying job for more meaning.
At the same time, compelling research finds that people can actively craft their work as meaningful and connected to a bigger purpose - even in routine tasks.
In the Activate Purpose in...
Beyond Engagement: Make Work Meaningful
Many initiatives to improve employee engagement fail because they tend to overlook the predictors of engagement - the strongest of which is the experience of meaningfulness. With employee engagement rates remaining strikingly low for nearly a decade, I provide a new way to think about engagement by focusing on cultivating a culture of meaning.
People experience meaningfulness when they (1) feel they are significant, (2) can see how their work fits into a bigger...
10 recommend Zach
Post your own verified review when you hire this speaker through eSpeakers.
Ghirardelli Chocolate Company
On-Site
J.C., Chief Human Resources Officer, Ghirardelli Chocolate Company
Fabulous talk. Thank you for helping to bring purpose to life for us.
Alzheimer's Association
On-Site
G.B., Area Leader, Alzheimer's Association
You gained a new legion of fans at the Alzheimer's Association. Your spot on ability to connect and engage with an audience is amazing. Truly one of the best deliveries I've seen over the course of my 34-year career.
Crankset Group
On-Site
K.M., Chief Connecting Officer, Crankset Group
Zach's energy is contagious, and all of our attendees were hanging on every word. He provided exactly the type of actionable leadership advice our community needs and craves.
Crocs
On-Site
K.S., Director, Global eCommerce, Crocs
Thank you for helping us find our purpose!
National Park Service
On-Site
T.C., Lead Scientist, National Park Service
Verified @nps.govOne of the best sessions we've ever had. Zach was engaging, relatable and his teachings on purpose are so applicable to strengthening our everyday work experience and connecting our purpose to our mission.
Vistage Worldwide
On-Site
N.H., Vistage Chair, Vistage Worldwide
Verified @212degreecoaching.comWe are so impressed and wowed by you, your passion, your vision, your style - truly in awe and so grateful that you shared the time with us!
Think2Perform
On-Site
K.R., Senior Vice President, Think2Perform
Verified @think2perform.comZach is masterful. He makes the important topic of purpose approachable, fun and inspiring.
UCHealth
On-Site
D.A.B., Quality Imprvement Manager, UCHealth
Verified @uchealth.orgI first heard Zach speak at a large company event and was intrigued when he nailed my team's current state. They had succeeded in every project, task, and recognition program and felt deflated, unmoored, and insecure. I'd spent months trying to give them better challenges and boost their morale. We talked about "the why" all the time and were still working hard, but something about the way Zach built to the impact of The Invisible Leader resonated with me. I rounded up copies of Zach's book, asked the team to read it before our summer retreat, and booked Zach to facilitate our team-building time. Zach arrived with materials and activities customized to our small group and really dialed in on what makes us tick and how to sustain our true purpose. His sincerity and skill helped us think through the exercises; months later, the results still motivate and refresh us.
Telstra
On-Site
L.C.T., Client Partner, Strategic Accounts, Telstra
You were amazing today and created a perfect setting for what has been an extraordinary day that surpassed my expectations. We appreciate and value every moment you share with us, thank you.
Central Washington University
On-Site
J.R., Executive Director, Central Washington University
Verified @cwu.eduZach's visit was transformative for our team and we look forward to many future opportunities to connect with him!
Videos
Photos
Certifications & Awards
