Keywords

leadership, mattering, anti-mattering, gratitude, recognition, emotional intelligence, education, community, strengths, unseen work

Summary

In this episode of Lassoing Leadership, Jason Rogers and Garth Nichols dive into one of the most human—and often overlooked—dimensions of leadership: mattering. Together, they unpack how people come to feel valued, seen, and significant at work—and how easily the opposite, anti-mattering, can show up in subtle, unintended ways.

The conversation explores the role of authentic gratitude, the power of recognizing individual strengths, and the impact of unseen contributions in schools and organizations. Jason and Garth challenge leaders to reflect on their daily interactions, reminding us that leadership isn’t just about strategy or vision—it’s about how people feel in our presence. At its core, this episode is a call to notice more, assume less, and lead with intention.

Take Aways

• Mattering is foundational to trust, engagement, and leadership effectiveness.

• Anti-mattering often happens quietly—in small moments, omissions, or habits.

• Gratitude loses its power when it becomes performative rather than personal.

• People feel they matter when leaders genuinely know them.

• Recognizing strengths fuels confidence, contribution, and belonging.

• Hope must precede strategy for change to stick.

• No one succeeds alone—community matters.

• The most important contributions are often the least visible.

• Leaders shape self-worth whether they intend to or not.

• Growth accelerates when unique talents are noticed and named.

  
  

  Sound Bites

• “You need to be valued to add value.”

• “Gratitude can become performative if we’re not careful.”

• “Great leaders look for the unseen.”