Quote "The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones." – Confucius.
In today's fast-paced world, many of us find ourselves sleepwalking through our work lives, contributing to unhealthy cultures without even realizing it. The concept of "Meaningful Work" has become increasingly important as people seek purpose beyond just earning a paycheck. This is exactly what Josephine Wong and Daniel Szuc address in their groundbreaking approach to transforming workplace culture and personal interactions.
Josephine and Daniel, co-founders of Apogee and UX Hong Kong, have spent over 26 years researching and developing frameworks to help people move from merely existing at work to truly thriving. Their first book, "Make Meaningful Work: From Sleepwalking to Sparkle," emerged from the frustration of seeing too many people spending significant portions of their lives in toxic work environments that damage both their wellbeing and the quality of their output. As Josephine poignantly notes, "We see so many people spend quite a big chunk of their time at work and if we don't enjoy it, it has quite a big damage to our health."
What sets their work apart is the practical approach they've developed. While countless books and talks offer philosophical perspectives on workplace culture, they often leave readers wondering: "What do I actually do with this information?" Wong and Szuc bridge this gap with their practice spotting method, which follows three simple steps: identify, inspect, and improve. This method teaches individuals to pinpoint specific moments that matter in their interactions, closely examine their conduct in these situations, and develop concrete actions for improvement.
The cornerstone of their philosophy is captured in the SPARKLE framework: Supportive, Proactive, Adaptable, Respect, Kind, Listening, and Engaged. This isn't about forced happiness or superficial positivity—it's about intentional conduct that creates healthy interactions and relationships. Their definition of culture as "how you conduct yourselves in the interactions and relationships between people in moments that matter" shifts the focus from abstract concepts to specific behaviors that anyone can modify.
Perhaps most compelling is their emphasis that meaningful change doesn't require grand gestures. Small, intentional actions in moments that matter can create ripple effects throughout an organization or family. As Daniel eloquently states, "It's not all about you. Be curious about other people, be curious about other cultures, be curious in differences, be curious in similarities." This outward focus forms the foundation for creating meaningful connections that enrich both work and life.
Their upcoming third book, "Make Meaningful Education," addresses the root of many workplace issues by examining how we shape young minds. The current educational model often focuses on downloading information rather than helping students develop self-awareness and authentic narratives. By remodeling education to help young people better understand who they are, accept themselves, and continuously improve, Wong and Szuc believe we can create healthier individuals who naturally contribute to more meaningful workplaces and cultures. If you want to listen to our conversation you can find the podcast we did together. OverFortyWellness Podcast . You’ll find it on all major podcast platforms. If you want to share this post just click the button below.