Why Mattering is Important in the Workplace

There are few feelings quite as powerful as mattering. The firm belief that one brings unique value to others and the world infuses hope and motivates us to accomplish great things.

In recent years, a growing body of research has backed this up. Mattering has now been established as a core psychological construct, and multiple studies and publications like this one reveal its bountiful effects on personal well-being outcomes. 

Humans crave to feel a sense of mattering in every area of their life, including the workplace. As a result, the importance of workplace mattering and its role in boosting workplace wellness has recently become a hot topic. In fact, the U.S. Surgeon General recently released a Framework for Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being report that pinpointed mattering as a key contributor to positive health outcomes. 

As organizations deepen their understanding of the transformative power of mattering, many are taking practical steps to nurture this feeling within their workforce. In this article, we’ll explore the science behind mattering and share some useful tips for developing a workplace culture of mattering.

Table of contents

1) What is mattering?
2) Why is mattering so important?
3) The impact of mattering in the workplace
a) Improved workplace well-being
b) Better work performance
c) Better retention
4) How to foster feelings of mattering in the workplace
a) Conducting regular employee check-ins
b) Valuing fairness and equality
c) Launching an employee wellness program
d) Prioritizing employee recognition
e) Involving employees in workplace decisions
Final thoughts

What is mattering?

Over thirty years ago, social scientist Morris Rosenberg first defined the concept of mattering as “the feeling that one is the object of others’ attention, one is important to others, and others are dependent on us.” 

At its core, mattering is the belief that you have significance and that others value you. It’s the knowledge that your presence and contributions are seen and appreciated.

Research across the globe has revealed that mattering is a universal human need. For example, philosopher and MacArthur Fellow Rebecca Goldstein has argued that we all have an innate, biological “mattering instinct.”

Mattering is closely linked with other psychological concepts like self-esteem and belonging. However, as explained by Gordon Flett, Canadian psychology professor and author of “The Psychology of Mattering: Understanding the Human Need to Be Significant,” mattering is unique in that it specifically relates to our perceived value and significance. 

Mattering is also unique in that it can be cultivated in humans much more effectively than other psychological states — which is significant when you realize how much it affects overall well-being.

Why is mattering so important?

Although mattering only started to get attention in recent decades, its huge role quickly became apparent. Research from Flett and others has found that mattering dramatically boosts feelings of self-worth, happiness, and motivation.

Conversely, studies reveal that anti-mattering — feeling insignificant and invisible — might be even more impactful. People who feel they don’t matter to others are much more at risk for loneliness, depression, and social anxiety. As Flett explains, “Not mattering is one of the most destructive feelings that someone could have.”

An interesting fact

A study conducted on nursing home residents in the 1970s found that those who were given a plant and told to keep it alive were more likely to be alive 18 months later than those whose plants were taken care of by staff. In fact, chronic loneliness has been found to have the same negative consequences as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

The impact of mattering in the workplace

Considering that the average person spends a third of their life working, it’s easy to understand why workplace mattering is so important. And when employees are doing better on a personal level, they’re more productive — which positively affects the entire organization. 

Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits of workplace mattering:

Improved workplace well-being

Employee well-being has suffered in recent years to the point that it’s caught the attention of the U.S. Surgeon General. So in late 2022, he released a report outlining five key pillars for improving workplace wellness — notably, mattering is one of them. Like in any other area of life, feeling a sense of mattering in the workplace is a strong antidote against stress, downheartedness, and loneliness.

Better work performance

When people feel that they matter, they’re more motivated to accomplish. And this couldn’t be more applicable than in the workplace. Employees who feel seen and heard perform better and are more engaged. Research from BetterUp found that employees who feel a strong sense of belonging experience a 56% increase in job performance.

It’s not just the feeling of mattering that improves performance, though — it’s the nourishing influence that mattering has on one’s well-being. In other words, employee performance is boosted by the mere knowledge that one matters and the good health that follows this sense of mattering. For example, BetterUp’s research found that employees with the best well-being were five times more likely to be rated top performers, and they had 25% higher productivity and 34% higher engagement.

Mattering also improves work performance by combating loneliness. We know from research that lonelier workers perform more poorly and feel less satisfied with their jobs. In a recent WSJ article, The Power of Mattering at Work,” journalist and author Jennifer Wallace highlights the shocking statistic that “loneliness is costing companies more than $154 billion annually in stress-related absenteeism alone.”

Better retention

Higher employee engagement — a byproduct of workplace mattering — impacts retention rates. When employees have better job satisfaction and are more engaged with their team and employer, they are much more likely to stay with their employer for the long haul.

It’s also interesting to note that employee recognition programs are key in decreasing employee turnover. And as we will soon discuss, recognition is a crucial way to cultivate feelings of mattering in the workplace.

How to foster feelings of mattering in the workplace

We know that mattering impacts employees’ 360° well-being. But how can it be cultivated? 

According to Brown University sociologist Gregory Elliott, there are three main components of mattering:

• Awareness: When others notice you
• Importance: When others appreciate your value
• Reliance: When others depend on you

Building a sense of mattering in the workplace means addressing these three basic components. Let’s take a look at some practical steps that HR leaders can implement to achieve improved workplace mattering:

Conducting regular employee check-ins

Mattering is as much about being seen as it is about being valued. When managers show genuine compassion and ask employees how they’re doing, employees are assured that their individuality — and not just their contributions — is important.

Valuing fairness and equality

Research from Dr. Isaac Prilleltensky, author of “How People Matter: Why it Affects Health, Happiness, Love, Work, and Society,” has found that fair treatment of workers increases feelings of mattering and, conversely, that experiences of racism and discrimination are very harmful to mattering.

Implementing DEIB initiatives (diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging) is a great way to foster inclusive workplace cultures. These efforts help organizations analyze existing levels of inclusivity and diversity, plus take steps as needed to create a more equitable environment.

Providing fair wages and employee healthcare benefits is another important way employers can show employees that they matter. Stable income greatly impacts employee work outcomes and one’s sense of mattering, as the U.S. Surgeon General noted in his recent report.

Launching an employee wellness program

Employee wellness programs provide valuable resources such as exercise classes, healthy lunches, and stress management tips. These programs are a great way for organizations to demonstrate genuine care and concern for their staff, which fosters feelings of mattering.

Prioritizing employee well-being also goes hand in hand with employee burnout prevention. When employees feel that they are important to their organization, they’ll not only feel more appreciated, but they’ll also learn how to take steps towards self-care effectively. As a result, workers are less likely to reach a state of high stress and exhaustion.

Prioritizing employee recognition

Beyond feeling seen and heard, employees also need to know that they add unique value — and that they play a vital role in the success of their organization. Employee appreciation efforts are an important way to acknowledge and celebrate successes, milestones, and contributions by team members.

Employee recognition must be provided frequently and on time to effectively foster feelings of mattering in the workplace. The best way to accomplish this is by utilizing an employee recognition platform like WorkProud that allows businesses to deliver instant recognition and tailored rewards. These programs have been proven to improve job performance, satisfaction, and engagement.

Involving Employees in Workplace Decisions

Feeling needed is another essential component of mattering. People become acutely aware of how much they matter when others come to them for support, knowledge, or suggestions.

In the workplace, this means involving employees in organizational initiatives and collecting their feedback via surveys or meetings. When employees know their voices are heard, and their opinions have weight, they become more engaged and enthusiastic about their work.

Psychological safety is an essential precursor for employee participation in the decision-making process. In order for employees to feel confident that their opinions are heard and valued, they need to feel safe to speak their minds without fear of repercussions.

Businesses that want employees to engage in new initiatives and projects should first assess how psychologically safe their workplace is and consider if any cultural shifts need to be made.

Final thoughts

Mattering is, at long last, beginning to get the attention it deserves. The powerful effect that mattering has on one’s sense of self and everyday behaviors is astounding — and we now know that nourishing this basic human sensation is key to shaping personal and professional outcomes. 

For more information on the WorkProud employee recognition platform and how it can help foster feelings of mattering in the workplace, fill out the form below to contact a member of our team.

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