Identifying Your Bright Spots: When Do You Feel Most Significant?

The second post in a six-part series on finding meaning in your managerial role.

Management isn’t just about tasks and challenges – it’s also about those small, powerful moments that remind you why you do what you do. These moments aren’t random; they reveal what truly matters to you. In this post, we’ll explore how to identify those moments and connect them to your daily work.

Step One: Spot the Meaningful Moments

Pause and reflect on the past month. When did you feel most significant?

Maybe it was when you helped a team member overcome a challenge, led your team to success on a complex project, or solved a problem requiring creative thinking.

Ask yourself: What exactly happened, and what made that moment feel so special?

Example: Think of a meeting where you shared an original idea, and it was enthusiastically received and led to meaningful change. That’s a moment of real impact.

Step Two: Find the Common Thread

Look at several moments like these. Try to identify if there’s a pattern. Are your meaningful moments tied to leadership? Supporting others? Achieving results?

Simple exercise: Write down three moments, and next to each, add a word that describes why it mattered to you.

Example: If all your moments involve mentoring and empowering others, your sense of meaning might come from your ability to develop the people around you.

Step Three: Learn About Yourself From These Moments

These moments don’t just tell you what you do – they reveal who you are as a manager.

They show you what truly drives you and gives you a sense of purpose in your role.

Example: If you realize your most meaningful moments involve solving complex problems, it’s a sign to focus on challenges that require creativity and innovative solutions.

Step Four: Plan for More of These Moments

Now that you understand the kinds of moments that make you feel significant, start creating more of them.

This could mean planning projects that align with your strengths, initiating conversations with your team, or focusing on challenges where you know you make the biggest difference.

Example: If your meaning comes from personal connections with your team, set aside time weekly for one-on-one conversations that strengthen relationships and mutual support.

To Summarize the Post

The moments when you feel most significant are a mirror reflecting what truly matters to you in your role. By identifying and creating more of them, you’ll feel more connected to your daily work.

In the next post, we’ll talk about turning these insights into clear, actionable daily habits that align with your values and goals.