Finding Meaning in the Everyday: Reflections on The Power of Ritual
Finding Meaning in the Everyday: Reflections on The Power of Ritual
Earlier this year, I had the chance to sit in a room at Yale SOM with Casper ter Kuile, author of The Power of Ritual, and let me tell you—it wasn’t just another lecture. Casper doesn’t just talk about ritual as some lofty, abstract idea. He makes you realize how much of our daily lives—our morning coffee, the playlist we queue up for a commute, even a quick walk after dinner—can shift from routine to ritual when done with intention.
In his session with us ELI Fellows, he didn’t just explain the concept—he had us practice it. Through a simple exercise, we experienced how slowing down and attaching meaning to something small created a sense of connection, both to ourselves and to each other. It was striking how quickly the room changed—an ordinary moment became something shared, grounded, and memorable.
Why this matters for leaders
What Casper underscores, and what I carried out of that session, is that ritual isn’t about religion or rigidity. It’s about meaning. Leaders, teams, and organizations often search for “culture” in grand offsites or elaborate values statements, but sometimes culture is built in the micro-moments:
-
The way you open a meeting.
-
How you celebrate small wins.
-
The rhythm of reflection at the end of a project.
Those rituals build trust, identity, and belonging more effectively than any PowerPoint ever could.
The consulting lens
At Katrina Stoneking Consulting, we spend a lot of time helping companies clarify their strategies and consumer connections. Casper’s work reminded me that strategy and meaning aren’t separate—brands thrive when they create rituals with their consumers. Think about the morning Coke in Mexico, the Friday pizza night, or even the ritual of unboxing a new Apple product. Those aren’t accidents; they’re engineered moments of connection.
Closing thought
Casper’s lecture was one of those rare moments where an academic idea lands in both your head and your gut. It made me rethink how I approach not just my work, but my life—where rituals can turn the mundane into meaningful.
If you haven’t read The Power of Ritual yet, add it to your list. It’s a reminder that meaning isn’t something we stumble upon; it’s something we practice.