Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

Date of Graduation

5-16-2026

Semester of Graduation

Spring

Degree Name

Master of Science in Education (MSEd)

Department

Department of Learning, Technology and Leadership Education

Abstract

This qualitative phenomenological study explored how employees describe their lived experiences at work. The purpose of the research was to understand the relational, emotional, and developmental dimensions that shape employees’ day-to-day workplace realities and the meanings they assign to those experiences. Four participants from diverse occupational backgrounds were interviewed using semi-structured protocols designed to elicit rich, descriptive accounts of their work environments, relationships, and sense-making processes. The findings reveal that participants shared experiences of supportive and hands-on leadership, opportunities for autonomy and ownership, and moments of connection, meaning, and long-term growth. Participants also described disruptions to these experiences. The implications of this study suggest that relational leadership, everyday learning opportunities, and psychologically safe environments play a critical role in shaping employees’ workplace experiences and overall well being.

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