Lessons from zookeepers at Denver Zoo

On Tuesday, October 27, professor Stuart Bunderson, associate dean and director of Executive Programs and the George and Carol Bauer professor of Organizational Ethics and Governance presented “Working for Pay or for Purpose? Lessons from Zookeepers” live from the Denver Zoo.

Nick, a sea lion at the Denver Zoo says hello to professor Stuart Bunderson following his presentation.

Nick, a sea lion at the Denver Zoo says hello to professor Stuart Bunderson following his presentation.

The premise of professor Bunderson’s talk is research he and colleagues performed around finding purpose and meaning in work. Specifically, many of today’s workers are looking for more than just a fat paycheck and an impressive title.  They want to do work they care about, that has personal and societal meaning.  But what makes work meaningful?  And what price do individuals and organizations pay for meaningful work? The research presented focused on zookeepers and how their meaning and purpose in what they do provides key insights into these questions.

The presentation also provided insight to help individuals and managers better navigate the complexities of a purpose-driven workforce.

Delivered to a full audience at the Denver Zoo’s Gates Center, the program is one of the many ways WashU’s Executive MBA program is engaged with the Denver community.

WashU’s Executive MBA program is delivered in Denver with classes starting each September. The 20-month curriculum includes one-time a month studies for busy executives and four residencies, two in St. Louis, one in Washington, D.C., in partnership with the Brookings Institute (a WashU-only opportunity) and one in Beijing/Shanghai in partnership with WashU’s Executive MBA program in Shanghai, a partnership with Fudan University.

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