Shows
Happier At Work®261: What’s Your Leadership Type?Are you unintentionally holding your team back?In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O’Brien dives deep into her newly developed framework for understanding leadership blind spots through eight distinctive Leadership Archetypes. Drawing from years of leadership research and firsthand experience, Aoife explores how values alignment, needs satisfaction, and individual strengths impact team performance and engagement. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or new to managing teams, this episode offers a transformative guide to recognising your leadership patterns, overcoming hidden challenges, and creating an empowering work environment.Curious about whic...2025-06-2012 minHappier At Work®259: How to make one-to-one meetings count at workHow can you get the most from one-to-one meetings at work?In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O’Brien, career and culture strategist for busy global leaders, dives deep into the secret to running effective, meaningful one-to-one meetings. Drawing on her own experiences, both positive and negative, Aoife explores why so many one-to-ones fall flat and how this underutilised tool can drive productivity, engagement, retention, and trust within your team. Aoife offers actionable advice and frameworks you can use whether you’re a manager, leader, or individual contributor looking to get the...2025-06-0612 min
Happier At Work®258: How to be more resilient with MH PelletierHow can you discover resilience at work, and improve how your organisation can build it effectively?In this episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O’Brien sits down with Dr. Marie-Helene Pelletier, psychologist, executive coach, and author, to explore the concept of resilience in the workplace. Marie-Helene shares her unique journey, blending psychology and business, and reveals why resilience, not just mental health, resonates so powerfully with high-performing leaders and teams.In This Episode, You’ll Discover:The difference between talking about mental health and resilience.The vital role of environment in f...2025-05-3045 minHappier At Work®257: How To Think Strategically About Your CareerHow can you manage your career strategically?In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O’Brien introduces the “Know, Show, Grow” framework, an actionable approach to managing your career strategically. Drawing on her wealth of experience as a career and culture strategist, Aoife breaks down the essential steps to understanding your values, strengths, needs, and how to showcase your achievements with confidence. She also shares an exciting update on her new AI Career Companion tool, designed to help you further your growth and fulfilment at work.In This Episode, You’ll Disco...2025-05-2316 min
Happier At Work®253: The Limits of Workplace Wellbeing Programs with Aoife O’BrienAre there limitations to the wellbeing at work ideology?In this episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I take a deep dive into the concept of wellbeing in the workplace, challenging the idea that it’s merely a box-ticking exercise. I discuss the Happier at Work framework, which forms the foundation of my upcoming book, and explore how this comprehensive approach can be applied to truly enhance workplace wellbeing.I explore the common misconceptions surrounding wellbeing initiatives, emphasising the necessity of moving beyond superficial solutions. By addressing values, needs, strengths, and psychological safety, I pr...2025-04-2517 min
Happier At Work®251: How I use AI in my business and personal life with Aoife O’BrienHow can you leverage AI use to enhance personal and professional life?In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I delve into the transformative impact of AI in my own business and personal life. Drawing on a year's experience with AI, particularly the paid version of ChatGPT, I share practical insights and tips on how AI can streamline content creation, adjust tone in professional communication, and provide technical solutions. By exploring real-life examples, I illustrate how AI can support both professional and personal growth without replacing human creativity and critical thinking.The...2025-04-1117 min
Happier At Work®Bonus Episode: Behaviour Science in the WorkplaceThis is a synopsis of the key points from my conversation with Matt Shenker, all about managing expectations versus reality when it comes to workplace behaviour and wellbeing.The main points include:The importance of restructuring workplaces to meet the human needs of connection and purpose.Understanding the six intrinsic human drives and how they relate to workplace wellbeing.The concept of an implementation gap in workplaces, not a knowledge gap.The role of leaders in connecting company missions to individual values for greater impact.Insights on how AI can organise data to improve workplace systems...2025-03-2410 min
Happier At Work®248: Behaviour Science in the Workplace with Matt ShenkerHow can you identify and meet your employees’ needs and improve wellbeing?In this enlightening episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I engage in a deep conversation with Matt Shenker, a therapist, behaviour scientist, and innovative leader in workplace transformation. Matt shares his personal journey from struggling with addiction to using behaviour science to revolutionise workplace systems. He delves into how modern workplaces are out of sync with human needs and discusses practical strategies to bridge this gap by focusing on connection, purpose, and a more empowered society.Matt emphasises the importance of restructuring wo...2025-03-2142 min
Happier At Work®247: Navigating the Drama Triangle at Work with Aoife O’BrienWhat is the drama triangle and how can you get out of it at work?In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I dive deep into the psychological concept of the drama triangle, developed in the 1960s. Often unrecognisable at first glance, these unconscious patterns involve the roles of the victim, the persecutor, and the rescuer. I discuss how these dynamics can impact workplace culture, relationships, and overall career progression, and provide insights into recognising these roles and transforming them into more positive interactions.I share some of my own personal experiences...2025-03-1412 min
Happier At Work®244: Salary Negotiation Secrets with Aoife O’BrienDo you feel confident negotiating your salary?In this episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I dive into the taboo subject of salary negotiations, sharing both my personal experiences and practical tips to help you navigate these complex conversations. I emphasise that happiness at work isn't solely about money, it’s about the importance of feeling fairly compensated. I am transparent in this episode about my own successes and failures in salary negotiation, and I want to inspire you to approach your next negotiation with confidence .Gain insights into why timing is critical, how to...2025-02-2115 min
Happier At Work®241: Exploring the Phases of Burnout with Aoife O’BrienAre you aware of the early warning signs of burnout in yourself and your team?In this week’s solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I delve into the pervasive issue of burnout in the workplace. With staggering statistics highlighting the financial impact of burnout on businesses globally, I explore its definition, dimensions, and the profound effects it has on both individuals and organisations. I share some personal insights and experiences to shed light on how burnout sneaks up and what we can do to prevent it. By understanding both internal and external drivers, this ep...2025-01-3116 min
Happier At Work®238: Reflecting on Happier at Work 2024 with Aoife O’BrienAre you looking to reflect on the growth and changes in workplace culture over the past year?In this special episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I bring us on a journey through some of the most impactful episodes of 2024. As part of the 2024 Recap, I highlight the key insights and advice shared by esteemed guests Jordana Confino, Caroline Collins, Ronan Gallagher, Fay Wallis, and Lucy Gernon. Each of these episodes delves into transformative concepts, from understanding the roots of perfectionism to leveraging the power of effective networking.I reflect on personal anecdotes and...2025-01-1021 min
Happier At Work®235: Empowering your Career and Overcoming Hurdles with Aoife O’BrienIn this latest solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I delve deep into the challenges of career management and development. Drawing from personal experiences and professional insights, I discuss everything from feeling bored and unchallenged to dealing with toxic bosses and mismatches in your career. If you're seeking ways to overcome career stagnation and engage more passionately with your work, this episode is definitely for you.I talk about personal stories and practical strategies to help you identify the root causes of career stagnation and suggest steps you can take to reignite your...2024-12-0620 min
Happier At Work®232: The Return to Office Debate with Aoife O’BrienAre you navigating the complex RTO landscape and seeking to optimise your workplace for happier and more productive employees?In today's solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I delve into the ongoing RTO (Return to Office) debate, exploring what it means for leaders and their teams. I provide valuable insights into weighing the pros and cons of returning to the office vs. embracing remote or hybrid models. With my experience in professional services, I encourage leaders to tailor your approaches based on unique organisational cultures and employee preferences, rather than imitating others. Highlighting significant aspects...2024-11-1516 min
Happier At Work®226: The 3 C’s of Thriving Talent at Work with Aoife O’BrienIn the latest solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I talk about the 3 C’s, a highly requested topic by you for a long time. In this episode, I introduce my 3 C's of Thriving Talent framework, designed to foster more engagement, higher retention, greater happiness, and overall success within organisations. I discuss each of the 3 C’s in turn, focusing on the very essence of each in their own right, and how they are interdependent on each other. A positive culture and strong career development can't thrive without the right capabilities. Similarly, having the sk...2024-10-0410 min
Happier At Work®205: Elevating Employee Engagement with Aoife O’BrienIn the latest solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I delve deep into the topic of employee engagement. I share my insights on creating more engagement within your team and feeling more fulfilled in the work that you do. I provide a comprehensive breakdown of what engagement truly means, highlighting the academic definition as vigor, dedication, and absorption. I emphasise the importance of factors like energy, significance, challenge, and feeling fully. I also explain why it is important for both companies and individuals. Engaged employees have a positive impact on their colleagues, personal life, and e...2024-05-1017 min
Happier At Work®203: National Workplace Wellbeing Day with Aoife O’BrienHow can you look after your wellbeing in the workplace?In this week's episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I delved into the concept of workplace wellbeing and addressed some of the critical factors that can hinder it. As we celebrate National Workplace Well-being Day in Ireland, it's important to recognise the challenges that may impede our well-being at work and take actionable steps to mitigate them.One of the primary hindrances to workplace wellbeing is workload. Feeling overloaded with work, working excessive hours, and struggling to achieve work-life balance can significantly impact our...2024-04-2619 min
Happier At Work®199: Reflecting on Happiness at Work with Aoife O’BrienIn the latest solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I dive into the invaluable lessons we’ve learned over almost 200 episodes about happiness in the workplace. This episode is a treasure trove of practical insights and actionable steps to create a more fulfilling and joyful work environment.I delve into the meaning attributed to your work and the impact you strive to have. I explore how your purpose can evolve over time, drawing from my own professional journey, and discuss the significance of leaving a positive imprint on your workplace and the world around you....2024-03-2914 minHappier At Work®196: International Women’s Day Special with Aoife O’BrienCalling all women in the workplace!In celebration of International Women's Day 2024, this episode of the Happier at Work podcast dives into the theme "Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress." I discuss five key areas where women often struggle in their careers and offer insightful solutions for each one.Recognising these challenges is essential so we can take actionable steps to overcome them. I share my own personal anecdotes and experiences from my leadership program participants to provide relatable examples and practical advice for overcoming these challenges.The main points throughout this podcast include:2024-03-0819 min
Happier At Work®192: The Power of AI in Behind-the-Scenes Workflows with Aoife O’BrienHow has AI transformed Podcast Production?In the latest podcast episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O'Brien dives into how AI is enhancing our podcast experience. Aoife delves into the behind-the-scenes processes and the impact of AI on the creation and production of our thought-provoking episodes.In this episode, Aoife shares how AI has revolutionised her role in podcast production, from generating engaging episode titles and show notes to creating captivating social media posts and video snippets. Not only does AI streamline time-consuming tasks, but it also enables Aoife to focus more...2024-02-0911 min
Happier At Work®187: Get Ready for Happier at Work 2024 with Aoife O'BrienWhat’s next for the Happier at Work podcast?As we step into 2024, it's a time for reflection, growth, and positive change. In our latest solo episode, host Aoife shares some upcoming changes to the podcast and invites you to join her on this journey of continuous improvement.Aoife expresses her gratitude for the ongoing feedback from the Happier at Work community and emphasises the importance of continuous development. Your input is vital in shaping the podcast's future, so keep an eye out for opportunities to provide feedback and suggestions.Exciting changes are on...2024-01-0519 minHappier At Work®184: A framework for building happier work cultures with Aoife O’BrienDo you want to create happier working environments and have a positive team culture?Link to survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9RLXFY7 In our latest solo episode, host Aoife O'Brien celebrates her birthday. She shares insights into happiness at work frameworks, with a specific deep dive into the Happier at Work framework, ahead of the launch of Happier at Work HQ.If you'd like to dive deeper into the topics discussed in this episode, we have provided links to related episodes and resources within the show notes. Additionally, Aoife encourages yo...2023-12-0114 minHappier At Work®180: Books To Transform Your Career and Culture with Aoife O’BrienFirst, we want to express our deep gratitude to each and every one of you for helping us reach a major milestone - 100,000 listens/ downloads! It's all thanks to your support, feedback, and engagement that we've reached this incredible achievement. We truly appreciate your dedication, and we promise to continue bringing you valuable content and insights to help you be happier at work.In the last episode, we mentioned a survey we conducted to better understand your preferences and make positive changes to the podcast. We're grateful to those of you who have already taken the time...2023-11-0313 min
Happier At Work®176: Practical Tips for Positive Work Relationships with Aoife O’BrienDo you want to build better relationships at work and have a positive team culture?Link to survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9RLXFY7 In our latest solo episode, host Aoife O'Brien dives into the topic of relationships at work and their significance in shaping our workplace satisfaction. She explores how positive relationships can lead to better teamwork, increased productivity, and reduced stress levels.Aoife emphasises the importance of identifying a person with whom you'd like to improve your relationship at work. It could be a colleague, boss, or senior leader...2023-10-0616 min
Happier At Work®172: Autonomy at Work with Aoife O'BrienWe want to extend a special thank you to all of you who have left reviews and reached out to us. Your support means the world to us and it keeps us motivated to continue creating content that makes a positive impact on your work life.In today's podcast episode, host Aoife O'Brien dives into the fascinating topic of autonomy at work. Autonomy refers to the sense of choice and control we have over what we do and how we do it. It's amazing how the sudden shift to remote work during the pandemic gave many of...2023-09-0820 min
Happier At Work®170: Discovering Your Career Anchors: A Conversation with Peter ScheinAre you at a career crossroads and wondering how to make the right choice? In this enlightening podcast episode, Aoife O'Brien dives into the world of career anchors and choices with Peter Schein, co-author of "Career Anchors: The Changing Nature of Careers." Peter explains how career anchors help individuals understand their unique values and preferences, guiding them towards fulfilling and successful career paths. From technical functional roles to autonomy, creativity, general management, and more, the conversation explores the different career anchors and how they influence our decisions. Discover the power of self-awareness in career planning and decision-making...2023-08-2548 min
Happier At Work®169: Prioritising Mental Wellbeing in the Workplace: Insights from Brent PopeHow can we create happier and healthier workplaces that prioritise mental wellbeing? In this episode, Aoife O’Brien sits down with mental health advocate, former rugby player, coach and well-known television pundit, Brent Pope, to discuss strategies for improving mental health in the workplace. Brent shares insights from his experience in mental health advocacy and offers practical tips for individuals and organisations. They delve into the importance of open conversations about mental health, finding purpose in your work, and fostering a supportive work culture. Brent introduces his Elephant in the Room project, which uses art to spark di...2023-08-1855 min
Happier At Work®168: How to Secure Budget for Employee Development with Aoife O'BrienAre you struggling to secure budget for essential workplace initiatives like development programs, employee training and employee resources groups (ERGs)? In this solo episode of the Happier at Work Podcast, Aoife O'Brien, addresses the challenges faced by many professionals in pitching for budget and shares practical steps to overcome them. Starting with a needs analysis and linking it to the organisation's objectives, Aoife emphasises the importance of investing in employee development. She highlights the business impact of unresolved issues like gender inequity, work-life balance, and mental health concerns, urging listeners to consider the return on investment (ROI) to showcase...2023-08-1111 min
Happier At Work®167: Embracing Diversity and Inclusion at Work with Donna O'ConnorHow can we create a workplace where everyone feels included, valued, and empowered to be their authentic selves? In this thought-provoking podcast episode, host Aoife O'Brien engages in an inspiring conversation with Donna O'Connor, an Event & Communications Specialist working to create transformative conversations for business leaders across workplace wellbeing, mental health, culture change and inclusive leadership. Together, they explore the crucial components of building a happier and more inclusive work environment by championing diversity and fostering meaningful connections. Donna shares valuable insights on driving positive change, breaking down barriers, and promoting equity at the workplace. They discuss...2023-08-0447 min
Happier At Work®166: The Anxious Achiever with Morra Aarons-MeleDo you find yourself grappling with anxiety in the workplace, affecting your decision-making, productivity, and relationships? In this thought-provoking podcast episode, host Aoife O'Brien engages in an insightful conversation with Morra Aarons-Mele, author of "Hiding in the Bathroom" and host of "The Anxious Achiever" podcast. They dive deep into the topic of anxiety in the workplace, exploring its impact on individuals and organisations. Morra shares valuable insights on recognising anxiety triggers, understanding default behaviours, and the concept of over and under-functioning in family systems theory. The discussion sheds light on how anxiety influences decision-making, work relationships, and...2023-07-2848 min
Happier At Work®164: Mastering Time Management and Maximising ProductivityAre you constantly caught up in the busyness of work, yearning for more time and struggling to stay productive? In this episode of the Happier at Work podcast, we dive deep into the topic of busyness, productivity, and effective time management strategies. Aoife shares her personal experiences and insights, offering practical advice to help you shift from being busy to being truly productive. With these 20 actionable tips ranging from changing your language to setting clear expectations, prioritising tasks, and practising self-compassion, this podcast will empower you to make meaningful changes in how you approach your...2023-07-1419 min
Happier At Work®163: Breaking Barriers: Strategies for Women's Empowerment in Self-Promotion with Nicola McGuinnessAre you hesitant to showcase your accomplishments? Join the conversation as we delve into the intricate world of self-promotion, with a particular focus on the challenges faced by women. Nicola sheds light on the biases and barriers that often undermine women's confidence in highlighting their achievements. Aoife and Nicola share personal experiences and discuss the societal expectations and cultural norms that contribute to this phenomenon.Furthermore, Aoife and Nicola offer practical strategies to empower women to overcome these obstacles and thrive professionally. They emphasise the importance of leveraging platforms like LinkedIn to amplify one's voice and build...2023-07-0747 min
Happier At Work®162: Creating a Great Place to Work with Fania StoneyIn this week’s Happier at Work podcast episode, Aoife O'Brien chats with Fania Stoney, Business Development Strategist with Great Place to Work. They explore a range of topics relating to the future of work: the challenges faced by entry-level employees in remote work settings, including the lack of cues and guidance needed to navigate the workplace effectively, the growing concern of isolation and the need for organisations to bring people together and create opportunities for collaboration. The main points throughout this podcast include: ● Job crafting: how to create a ca...2023-06-3052 min
Happier At Work®160: Entrepreneurship: Exploring Freedom, Challenges, and Success with Aoife O'BrienCan entrepreneurship truly lead to freedom, success, and overcoming challenges? In this podcast episode, Aoife addresses the topic of entrepreneurship and shares her own journey as an entrepreneur. She highlights the reasons why many people consider starting their own businesses, such as the desire for freedom, flexibility, and the challenges of reaching the top in traditional corporate hierarchies. The host emphasizes the importance of finding a compelling "why" behind entrepreneurship and caring deeply about the opportunity.The podcast also explores the realities of being an entrepreneur, including the need to market and...2023-06-1621 min
Happier At Work®158: Building an Effective Communication Strategy with Internal Communications Expert Joanna ParsonsHow can organizations effectively communicate their strategies to ensure that employees not only receive the information but also understand it, take action, and feel inspired to contribute towards achieving the organisation's goals? In this enlightening podcast episode, Joanna Parsons is a multi-award-winning internal communications leader, discusses the importance of effective communication strategies in the workplace. Academically trained as a sociologist, Joanna brings her expertise in human behaviour and research into the world of internal communications and she delves into the significance of understanding a company's business goals and objectives when developing a...2023-06-0250 min
Happier At Work®156: From overworked and stressed to happy and blessed with Aoife O'BrienHave you ever experienced the mismatch between what senior leaders think about employee well-being and what employees actually feel? On this latest solo episode of Happier at Work, Aoife discusses the importance of well-being at work and how to better influence senior leadership, with data to back it up. Get ready to learn how to create a happier workplace with Aoife's valuable framework and discover what it takes to ensure your team is adequately staffed and set clear boundaries between work and home life. Plus, learn the key to providing regular feedback and recognition within the workplace...2023-05-1919 min
Happier At Work®154: Well-being at Work: Finding Joy in the every day with Ally FekaikiAre businesses investing enough in their people? Happiness and well-being at work aren't a one-size-fits-all approach. It requires a systemic approach that puts people first and gives them the power to choose! Joining Aoife to explore how companies can create a happier workplace is Ally Fekaiki, the CEO of Juno, a global platform offering a complete well-being solution for employees. Ally delves into the importance of investing in employee well-being as a crucial focus for businesses worldwide. Ally also discusses the future of remote work and the importance of need satisfaction in creating a supportive and empowering...2023-05-0548 min
Happier At Work®153: Breaking Busy and Tackling Toxic Work Cultures with Siobhan KellyIs workplace toxicity holding you back? If so, prepare to learn how to thrive in the workplace by recognising and avoiding toxic work environments. Joining Aoife this week is special guest Siobhan Kelly, founder of Mosaic Consultancy and host of the Glass House Podcast. Siobhan shares her career journey and offers invaluable insights on navigating toxic work environments, the negative impact of societal busyness, and the crucial importance of taking responsibility for one's own role in shaping workplace culture. Further key points throughout include: - An introduction to Siobhan Kelly - Blurred lines: Can overworking...2023-04-281h 15
Happier At Work®152: Navigating the Ups and Downs of Employee Well-being with Aoife O'BrienTo mark the approach of National Well-Being Day (April 28), this solo episode dives into the world of workplace well-being. With a focus on collaboration between employees and organisations, Aoife serves up actionable steps and resources for improving overall well-being and delves into the impact of stress, feedback, and challenges on overall well-being. Aoife also highlights the importance of self-awareness and managing emotions. Further key points throughout include: - The Happier at Work framework - What does well-being at work means?- Building self-awareness and emotional maturity at work - How to...2023-04-2116 min
Happier At Work®151: Transformational leadership: the secret to leading and achieving with Aoife Donovan LeeHave you ever wondered how leaders clear the path to success? Joining the podcast this week is special guest Aoife Donovan Lee, a leadership and development expert. Aoife shares insights on the importance of transformational leadership in the workplace and explores women's challenges when returning to the workplace. Drawing from her career journey, Aoife emphasises the power of networking and empathy in business and dives into the four pillars of transformational leadership, the Skill/Will Matrix, and prioritising mental health and well-being in the workplace. Further key points throughout include: - An...2023-04-1455 min
Happier At Work®148: The pursuit of success with Aoife O'BrienIn our fast-paced world, success is often defined by external factors such as job titles, salaries, and material possessions. In this week's solo episode, your host Aoife O'Brien challenges this definition and encourages you to redefine success on your own terms. Whilst exploring the concept of success, Aoife questions whether it is a never-ending pursuit and discusses the importance of recognising the hard work that goes into achieving success and not falling into the trap of believing in overnight success. Further key points throughout include: - What does success mean to you?- ...2023-03-2418 min
Happier At Work®146: The secret to working smarter, not harder with Sanja LicinaDo you ever feel like work is overwhelming, and you're unsure what to do next? Fear not, as Sanja Lacina, Organisational psychologist, and President of QuestionPro Workforce, is here to help! Learn about Sanja's journey from Serbia to success, the importance of identifying the best way to fit work into your life and filling your own cup first. Sanja shares the secret to working smarter, not harder and how to prioritise self-care and relationships and also reveals the magic that can happen when you create a supportive and inclusive environment for employees. So, if you are looking...2023-03-101h 02
Happier At Work®144: Honouring women making waves with Aoife O'BrienWith International Women's Day fast approaching, today's episode honours and celebrates women at work and empowering women in the workplace. In this solo special, tune in to hear valuable insights that have been shared from three female experts who are making waves in their industries, Paula Sheridan, Niamh Hannan and Carla Miller. Learn how to stop being overlooked and underappreciated, take radical responsibility for your career, strengthen your influence, and much more! Further key points throughout include: - Are you being underappreciated at work? - The gift of feedback: Why you should seek out feedback...2023-02-2416 min
Happier At Work®140: The red flags of workplace toxicity with Aoife O'BrienHave you recently checked in on your goals and intentions? Is 2023 the year you make a career move or leap to escape workplace toxicity? If so, this episode is a must-listen for you! This week, Aoife's solo episode is coming to you live from sunny Tenerife, focusing on the issue of toxic workplaces and the practical steps you can take to improve your working situation. Aoife delves into the task of maintaining a happier working environment, shares tips for dealing with frustrations at work, and unpacks the importance of aligning your core values with your chosen workplace...2023-01-2720 min
Happier At Work®137: The journey to diversity, inclusion and belonging with Siobhan SweeneyWhat does 2023 look like for your organisation? Will the organisational culture flourish, or will it need a significant transformative shake-up? To ring in the new year and kick off the 2023 series of Happier at Work, Aoife is joined by Siobhan Sweeney. Siobhan is the head of diversity, inclusion and belonging at software giant Hubspot and joins Aoife to discuss organisational cultures and all things diversity, inclusion and belonging. Throughout the episode, Siobhan shares the tick-box exercise mentality that businesses need to banish, discusses the challenges and opportunities that arise within a diverse and inclusive workplace and unpacks...2023-01-0654 min
Happier At Work®135: Creating a podcast: the journey to 60,000 listeners with Aoife O’BrienAoife recently delved into the drive and reason behind starting her own business venture. This week’s solo episode unpacks Aoife’s why behind creating the Happier at Work podcast. Since launching in August 2019, the podcast has reached over sixty thousand listeners and proudly holds a massive back catalogue of 130 captivating episodes. From being a huge podcast fanatic to becoming one of the few celebrated female podcast hosts, Aoife shares her podcasting journey, along with a heartfelt message to you, the listener, and reveals exciting plans for the show in 2023. Further key points throughout include; - St...2022-12-0912 min
Happier At Work®134: The slippery slope of achievement With Ashlie CollinsDo you struggle with bringing your whole self to work? Does the baggage of past experiences weigh you down? This week, Aoife is joined by Ashlie Collins, founder of Humane Startup, a coaching, training, and consulting company helping leaders to be brave and unleash their true leadership potential. As a two-time founding team member for tech startups, Ashlie has walked the walk, navigating her way through often challenging leadership journeys. Humane Startup believes that Healthy leaders build inspiring companies, and this week, we learn of Ashlie’s science-based approach that is helping leaders to set themselves apart and flourish. ...2022-12-0252 min
Happier At Work®133: Could I have managed my career better? With Aoife O’BrienHave you found your professional purpose? In this week’s solo episode, Aoife discusses her why and opens up about past work experiences where she came face to face with a toxic work environment and, on the other hand, a lack of workplace fit. As the well-known saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining. Even though Aoife’s past experiences weren’t idyllic, they did steer her to where she is today, helping individuals and organisations seek and obtain happiness at work and avoid workplace dissatisfaction. Throughout the discussion, Aoife weighs up her career management and unpack...2022-11-2516 min
Happier At Work®131: How much Imposter Syndrome costs you With Aoife O’BrienHave you ever felt like a fraud or imposter at work? Have you pushed yourself to the point of burnout at work to prove your abilities? In this week’s solo episode, Aoife delves into the debilitating and often concealed issue of Imposter Syndrome, unmasking the causes and symptoms, and reveals how much imposter syndrome costs you. Long-time podcast listeners will know of Aoife’s love of data and research. Recently Aoife carried out a passion project surveying 266 individuals on Imposter Syndrome, a topic which lies close to her heart. Throughout the discussion, Aoife reveals the key find...2022-11-1110 min
Happier At Work®129: Is ‘Quiet Quitting’ just a new name for an old problem? With Aoife O’BrienThere is no doubt that the future of work is shifting. Have you noticed the viral term ‘quiet quitting’ making waves lately, especially on the social media platform Tik Tok? In this week’s solo episode, Aoife questions if this trend of quiet quitting is just a new name for an old problem or a startling reality within the working world. Aoife also explores what can drive employees to this level of Job dissatisfaction, how organisations can prevent such issues from arising and why effective communication is key. Further points covered throughout include:- The definition of quiet...2022-10-2811 min
Happier At Work®127: Career flexibility and working abroad with Aoife O’BrienCurrently, on an exploration tour of Ireland, Aoife is coming to you live from Co. Sligo. However, in this week’s solo episode, Aoife is turning the temperature nozzle right up as she revisits her 10-week summertime experience in the largest Canary Island, Tenerife. Aoife discusses career flexibility and working abroad, adapting to a slower pace of life yet still prioritising tasks, things to consider before moving to work overseas and reveals how a re-infection of Covid-19 impacted her mental health. Key points throughout include:- How to set priorities at work and achieve flexibility in your ca...2022-10-1414 min
Happier At Work®125: Toxicity: The culprit of the great resignation with Aoife O’BrienThere is no doubt that workplace toxicity is a crucial component to the matter of unhappiness at work. Toxicity is indeed the culprit driving the great resignation. In this week’s solo episode, Aoife uncovers the damages of a toxic culture and turns her focus to findings from two fascinating articles from the MIT Sloan management review. Throughout the episode, Aoife discusses the red flags within a toxic working environment and how a workplace can be toxic single-handedly rather than collectively. Aoife also reminds us that payment is not always the leading cause of staff turnover and sh...2022-09-3013 min
Happier At Work®123: The future of work: the remote and hybrid road with Aoife O’BrienWelcome back to Happier at Work! In this week’s solo episode, Aoife turns her attention to the hot topic and rising business trends of remote and hybrid work, exploring how each working model differs.Throughout the discussion, Aoife unpacks what the future of work might look like and provides tips on maintaining productivity in a non-office environment and avoiding job burnout. Aoife also delves into the great debate of whether remote workers should be paid less. Key points throughout the episode include: - The difference between remote work and hybrid working. - So...2022-09-1611 min
Happier At Work®122: Cultivating a mindset for success with Brennan Jacoby“To do philosophy is to explore one’s own temperament and yet at the same time to discover the truth.” – Iris Murdoch.Joining Aoife on the podcast this week is Dr Brennan Jacoby. Brennan is a philosopher and founder of Philosophy at Work, a collective of philosophers that ignite individuals, teams and organisations to think and perform their best through the help of their highly sought-after training workshops, thinking labs and keynote speaking sessions. Brennan has worked across multiple global industries, assisting giants including Facebook, Capital One Bank, Sony Music, Nike and Deloitte, to name a few. Get...2022-09-0958 min
Happier At Work®121: Getting your voice heard at work with Aoife O’Brien‘’In a research study that I conducted recently, 90% of people who took the survey were experiencing impostor syndrome or had experienced it in the past.’’ – Aoife O’Brien.Welcome back to Happier at Work. To continue the exploration of unhappiness at work, this week, Aoife unpacks a popular topic that arose on LinkedIn: getting your voice heard at work. Speaking up at work can be a challenge for many. To help shed some light, Aoife will discuss two contributing pillars to tackling this obstacle: psychological safety and imposter syndrome. Throughout the episode, Aoife discusses the benefits of...2022-09-0215 min
Happier At Work®120: The journey to self-mastery and success with Sharath Jeevan‘’I think the role of the leader now is to create that environment where everyone can feel deeply connected and motivated, where they feel that they’re able to bring their full talent and potential to work under a clear organisational direction.’’ – Sharath Jeevan. Joining Aoife on the podcast this week is Sharath Jeevan, chairman, author and a world-leading expert on intrinsic motivation, direction and potential. Through his work and writing, Sharath is on a mission to solve motivational challenges, support leaders to build workplace cultures worth bottling up and celebrating, and help leaders navigate direction and unleash peop...2022-08-261h 00
Happier At Work®119: Employee recognition: the key to a happy workplace with Aoife O’Brien‘’When people are appreciated by the boss, they will appreciate the boss more as well.’’ – Aoife O’Brien. Welcome back to Happier at Work. To continue the unhappiness at work theme, this week’s solo episode focuses on employee recognition: the key to a happy workplace. Recognising your staff comes with many benefits; it drives development, builds trust and boosts employee job satisfaction, to name but a few.As businesses across the globe continue to navigate their way through the great resignation, Aoife discusses how recognising staff and effectively providing employee feedback can help retain talent and bui...2022-08-1911 min
Happier At Work®118: How to create a culture of belonging in the workplace with Yogesh Soni‘’I no longer care about my own individual success because I’ve realised that the only way I grow and feel satisfaction is if I grow with other people. And it’s super important for me to be part of a group that cares about each other’s growth rather than their own individual success.’’ – Yogesh Soni.Joining Aoife on the podcast this week is Yogesh Soni. Born and raised in India and currently based in Silicon Valley, Yogesh is a tech mastermind who has worked with the world’s top tech companies for two decades and has built products...2022-08-121h 16
Happier At Work®117: How to avoid burnout by working smarter with Aoife O'BrienThis week's solo episode focuses on workload and burnout to continue with Aoife's exploration of the widespread issue of unhappiness at work. Did you know that up to 80% of people are currently tackling burnout!? These statistics are shocking but not surprising. This week, Aoife dives into the toll that stress and heavy workloads have on our bodies and shares valuable tips on how to avoid burnout by working smarter. The main points covered in this episode include:- Listening to your body and being proactive to avoid burnout.- Setting work boundaries remotely.2022-08-0519 min
Happier At Work®116: Boost your business with data analytics with Kevin Campbell‘’Doing good by people is also good business.’’ – Kevin Campbell.Are you looking to create a positive space for employees but don’t know where to begin? If so, this episode focused on data analytics and people experience is a must-listen! Joining Aoife on the show this week is special guest Kevin Campbell. Kevin is the founder of Lifted Leadership LLC and is an employee experience scientist at Qualtrics, where he helps people fall in love with their work. In this episode, Kevin dives into how you can boost your business with data analytics and enhance empl...2022-07-291h 04
Happier At Work®115: Leaping into leadership with Aoife O’BrienWelcome to this week’s solo episode of Happier at Work. This week in the midst of a rare thunderstorm in Dublin, Aoife answers a listener’s burning question regarding leaping into leadership. From having a boss who made decisions and called the shouts to now being in command – Aoife dives into the transition into leadership and offers valuable advice on how to lead effectively and strategically. So if you are making big moves in business, this episode is for you as Aoife discusses the importance of gaining clarity and asking questions in the workplace. We also learn...2022-07-2209 min
Happier At Work®114: Transforming organisations with data with Natalie CrampIn this week’s podcast, Aoife focuses on a topic very close to her heart - data and the impact of a data-driven workplace culture. Joining Aoife to explore this topic further is special guest Natalie Cramp. Natalie is the proud CEO of London-based data agency, Profusion, which specialises in helping businesses become more efficient, effective and profitable by embracing data science. In this episode, Natalie discusses the path to transforming organisations with data, how transparency is a confidence builder and how data is a key ingredient to creating happier work environments. Key points throughout the episode in...2022-07-151h 01
Happier At Work®113: How to handle a bad boss with Aoife O’BrienWelcome to Happier at Work’s brand-new solo series, where Aoife will be shaking things up a little as she focuses on the widespread issue of unhappiness at work. At some point throughout your professional career, you may have encountered challenges and hardships at work dealing with a tricky manager, which can drive a great sense of job dissatisfaction. In this week’s episode, Aoife hone’s in on one of the root causes of feeling unhappy at work: having a bad boss. Aoife highlights poor managerial attributes, shares valuable tips on handling a bad boss and discus...2022-07-0816 min
Happier At Work®112: Ignite your confidence and create a career you love with Kelli Thompson“Doubt keeps us humble and curious. If you didn’t experience this healthy and normal emotion of doubt, it means that you wouldn’t care about your audience. It means you wouldn’t care about doing good work.” – Kelli Thompson. Joining Aoife on the podcast this week is special guest Kelli Thompson. Kelli is an inspirational women’s leadership coach, speaker and author who made the brave leap of leaving a secure job with Corporate America to start her own practice to help empower women across the globe. Kelli’s mission is to help women create a career they love...2022-07-0159 min
Happier At Work®111: Talent management: is everyone good at something? with Aoife O’BrienThis week, Aoife is serving up a challenging and thought-provoking solo episode focused on talent management, inspired by a college lecture-discussion she took part in a couple of years ago. In this episode, Aoife explores organisational performance and the measurements of talent in the workplace, unlocking our fullest potential and excelling in our career, and probes the question; is everyone good at something? The main points covered include: - The bell curve: measuring employee performance.- Favourable treatment and equality at work. - Unlocking your key strengths and finding your career...2022-06-2411 min
Happier At Work®109: The impact of toxic productivity with Aoife O’BrienThis week’s solo episode focuses on the rising concept of toxic productivity and the busyness badge of honour. We can all strive to be productive, but do we recognise the detrimental impact of busyness on our mental health and bodies, and is it a badge of honour worth wearing? In this episode, Aoife discusses the link between busyness and success, the need for setting personal boundaries and the importance of self-reviewing to reflect and identify where time is being spent in order to create a more manageable workload. The main points covered in the discussion include:...2022-06-1015 min
Happier At Work®108: Belonging: The secret weapon of business with Stephanie Brady‘’We're fighting in this war of talent. Google are coming in and knocking on the door of our people, Microsoft and Amazon too. We're losing our people to huge organisations and I don't have the weapons to keep them but I do have one great weapon, which is belonging.’’ – Stephanie Brady. Welcome back to Happier at Work. This week, Aoife is delighted to be joined by HR expert and enthusiast Stephanie Brady. Stephanie is an experienced HR leader with seven years of experience steering the HR agenda in Retail inMotion (IT/ Retail/ Aviation). But that’s not all; Stephan...2022-06-0359 min
Little Steps, Big Futures:The PodcastAoife and Jenny - Early Years Pay UpdateThis week Aoife and Jenny chat about the recent pay recommendations for the Early Years. We chat about the proposed rates and how this may impact the future if the sector. We hope you love it! Support us:https://www.facebook.com/littlestepsbigfutureshttps://www.instagram.com/little_steps_big_futures/Support us:https://www.instagram.com/little_steps_big_futures/https://www.facebook.com/littlestepsbigfutures2022-06-0219 min
Happier At Work®107: Why investment in leadership development is vital with Aoife O’Brien‘’People will leave managers rather than leaving organisations because the managers are the touchpoint for individuals within the organisation, especially now with most people working remotely or in a hybrid situation.’’ – Aoife O’Brien. Welcome back to Happier at Work! This week’s solo episode is inspired by a statistic that Aoife recently came across on LinkedIn, stating that only 28% of organisations have any leadership development programs in place. With the revelation of this shockingly low statistic, Aoife is dedicating this episode to discussing why investment in leadership development is vital and shares thoughts and actions on wha...2022-05-2709 min
Happier At Work®106: The time to scale and shine is now with Katrin Sturm‘I always say if you don't have a plan yourself, you will become part of somebody else's.’’ – Katrin Sturm. Welcome back to Happier at Work. This week, Aoife is delighted to welcome German-born, Dublin based renowned personal growth mentor, CEO and founder of Scale & Shine, Katrin Sturm. Katrin is passionate and devoted to empowering female leaders to reach new career heights in male-dominated industries and helps organisations close the gender gap through the incredible work of her business. So many avenues get explored in this jam-packed session with many golden nuggets peppered througho...2022-05-201h 07
Happier At Work®105: Maintaining employee satisfaction during the great reshuffle with Aoife O’BrienWelcome back to Happier at Work! To celebrate the recent milestone of reaching 100 episodes, Aoife has put together a selection of unique episodes. For today’s solo special, Aoife opened the floor to the listeners for any questions or topics of interest that they wished to get covered. Today’s episode will be focused on maintaining employee satisfaction during the great reshuffle as a brilliant question came in from an anonymous listener wondering how to manage an ambitious team when there are limited opportunities for career progression during these challenging times of change. Aoife will discuss the key...2022-05-1308 min
Happier At Work®103: Why it's time to prioritise well-being at work with Aoife O'Brien"Corporate culture matters. How management chooses to treat its people impacts everything for better or for worse." – Simon Sinek. Welcome back to Happier at Work! Did you know that today marks Workplace Wellbeing Day? To celebrate, Aoife will be dedicating this solo episode to releasing the top-line results from a survey she carried out last year amidst the global pandemic focusing on well-being at work. If you wish to gain access to the full survey findings, don't hesitate to get in touch with Aoife directly via her website - https://happieratwork.ie/contact...2022-04-2909 min
Happier At Work®102: Re-entering the working world with Sarah Courtney‘’You can never please everybody, but you can listen to everybody. And you can say, I hear you, and this is what we can do.’’ – Sarah Courtney. Welcome back to Happier at Work, you asked for it, and Aoife listened! Listeners have requested today’s topic of re-entering the working world, which Aoife has been excited to cover for some time now. This jam-packed episode features special guest Sarah Courtney from Sarah Courtney Coaching. Sarah is a mum first, a coach second and a champion of supporting parents who wish to work in an inclusive, family-friendly workforce. 2022-04-2254 min
Happier At Work®101: The squiggly road to Happier at Work with Aoife O'Brien & Cathal QuinlanThis week's episode comes with a twist as the podcast interviewer becomes the interviewee to celebrate the milestone of reaching 100 episodes. Stepping in to host this unique episode is Irish born, Sydney based guest Cathal Quinlan. Cathal holds over 20 years of experience working in corporate and has recently become the proud owner of Better@Work – helping people transform their working experiences and boosting performance personally and within others. This week, listeners will get to absorb so much more about the founder of Happier at Work as we dive into Aoife's personal and professional journey, learn about the ev...2022-04-151h 09
Happier At Work®100: What Makes You Happier at Work with Aoife O'BrienWelcome to the 100th episode of Happier at Work! This week's episode is a highlight special dedicated to the array of wonderful past guests who have featured on the show since the podcast made its debut back in September 2019. To celebrate such an incredible milestone, your host Aoife O'Brien revisits a selection of episodes where we hear openly and honestly from inspiring HR and business leaders about what drives their happiness at work. Even though we hear from 15 unique individuals, no answers are the same as they range from the simple acts of welcoming music into your...2022-04-0829 min
Happier At Work®99: The journey to establishing happiness at work with Aoife O’Brien“We spend so much of our time at work, when we’re not happy at work, that filters into other aspects of our lives.” – Aoife O’Brien. Welcome back to Happier at Work! To mark the 99th episode of the show, host Aoife O’Brien dedicates this solo discussion to the heartbeat and purpose of the podcast, finding happiness at work. Would you agree that people are the number one asset in any business!? Aoife’s mission is to help organisations identify the power of putting people first to create a happier working environment. Did you know that a happier...2022-04-0216 min
Happier At Work®97: Finding your purpose at work with Aoife O'Brien"Employees are looking to work in organisations that have a clearly defined purpose, and whose purpose really aligns with what it is that they want to do themselves as well." – Aoife O'Brien. Welcome back to Happier at Work! Over the last couple of years, we have all experienced a tremendous amount of change in our lives from experiencing challenging lockdowns, movement restrictions, a lack of human connection and, of course, a complete overhaul in how we operate at work. Home dining tables and spare box rooms unexpectedly became our new working environments, transforming cosy nests into new ma...2022-03-1813 min
Happier At Work®96: People - the most important business asset with Gillian French“I think energy is such an important thing. When you walk in as a leader, if you’re coming into the workplace, keeping an eye on your energy, and what you’re actually presenting in the business is really important.” – Gillian French.Welcome back to Happier at Work! Following two traumatic and life adjusting years facing a global pandemic, major operational shifts are undergoing within organisations and workplaces across the globe. This week on the podcast, Aoife is delighted to be joined by special guest Gillian French. Gillian holds the brilliant title of Expert in Residence with Workvivo...2022-03-1149 min
Happier At Work®95: Fair pay – addressing pay scales and fairness at work with Aoife O'Brien"I'm not driven by money, but I'm driven by fairness, and if I feel that something is not fair, or that I don't understand why it's happening, then I think that's something that really bothers me and makes me unhappy at work." – Aoife O'Brien.Welcome back to Happier at Work! In this week's solo episode, Aoife chats finance by sparking a conversation focused on pay scales and fairness at work. How do you feel about pay right now? Is your salary always at the forefront of your mind? For many, workplace salary discussions can be an uncomfortable ta...2022-03-0421 minLittle Steps, Big Futures:The PodcastAoife Sheahan - Childcare in AustraliaThis week we chat to Aoife Sheahan, Early Years Educator and owner of two Montessori Settings in Sydney, Austraila. Aoife talks about how life in OZ is different to life in Ireland, the similiarities between the Childcare Systems and how she set up two successful businesses with the help of great family and friends. Aoife shares her opinions about the paperwork, daily life and respect in the Childcare world and how she manages her brilliant staff around all those pressures. We hope you love it! To follow Aoife and her journey:In...2022-02-2452 min
Happier At Work®93: Travelling and working remotely with Aoife O’BrienBienvenido de nuevo a Happier at Work - Welcome back to Happier at Work!
Aoife dedicates this week’s solo episode to her experience of kickstarting 2022 with a sense of adventure by working remotely in Spain’s largest Canary Island, Tenerife. When posting online about working from abroad, Aoife was flooded with questions from fascinated followers, and with that has decided to share her travelling tale.
In this episode, Aoife unpacks her experience of travelling and working remotely, shares insights on the importance of discipline and routine, and reveals what she would do differently next time around. Main points throughout incl...2022-02-1812 min
Happier At Work®91: The secret to creating routines to reach your goals with Aoife O’Brien [Part Two]‘’You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.’’ – John C. Maxwell.
Welcome back to Happier at Work! This week’s solo episode continues as we dive into part two of ‘’The secret to creating routines to reach your goals’’ with your host Aoife O’Brien. If you missed part one of this session, fear not, as you can catch up on playback HERE.
This week, Aoife discusses goal setting and habit formation and explores what are limiting beliefs and how we can overcome them. Aoife also weighs up the...2022-02-0417 min
Happier At Work®90: Our right to unplug and disconnect with Chris FlackAoife's Master acquaintance Chris Flack joins us on the podcast. Born in the UK and currently based in Dublin, Chris carries over fifteen years of experience specialising in tech and organisational behaviour consulting and is the proud co-founder of UnPlug. The mission of UnPlug is for people to take control of their technology instead of their technology usage controlling them.
"If we make some small changes in how we use technology, we can have some really positive impacts on our behaviour, our well being and our productivity." – Chris Flack.
Have you ever felt strained and overwhelmed with work or feel li...2022-01-2839 min
Happier At Work®89: The secret to creating routines to reach your goals with Aoife O’Brien [Part One]‘’What you do every day matters more than what you do once in a while.’’ – Gretchen Rubin.
Have you ever set goals that quickly went out the window or became unreachable? If so, this episode on effective goal setting will be of interest to you. We are delighted to reveal this week’s solo episode with your host Aoife O’Brien is a two-part special focusing on the secret to creating routines to reach your goals.
Throughout this discussion, Aoife shares her approach and valuable tips on setting goals and explores the power behind building productive daily habits to help make your goal...2022-01-2122 min
Happier At Work®88: Why disability inclusion in the workplace is important with Seònaid Ó Murchadha"People say their ideal leader wouldn't have any vulnerabilities, but actually in reality, and the research shows that when a leader is vulnerable, everybody else feels more comfortable with being vulnerable themselves, and therefore being more authentic, and essentially happier at work." - Seònaid Ó Murchadha.
Welcome back to Happier at Work. Joining Aoife this week on the podcast is the inspirational Seònaid Ó Murchadha. Seònaid's passion lies within helping organisations embrace disability by advising businesses on the journey of diversity. Over the last two decades, Seònaid has worked endlessly advocating and highlighting employment rights for disabled people and ca...2022-01-1455 min
Happier At Work®87: Prioritising health and well-being in 2022 with Aoife O’Brienextended break, this week’s episode is a short solo session where Aoife looks back and reflects on 2021.
Aoife shares her personal experience managing COVID-19 throughout a busy December and highlights why our health should always be a top priority. During the session, Aoife gives an insight into the importance of time-off and reveals what lessons she will be carrying forward into this new year ahead. Main points covered throughout include:
- Why we should prioritise our health and well-being.
- The importance of allowing your body to rest.
- Embracing holidays and time off from work.
- How to an...2022-01-0709 min
Happier At Work®85: Why delivering effective and constructive feedback at work is so vital with Aoife O’BrienHave you ever delivered or received feedback in the workplace? For many of us, the thought of having these difficult conversations can instantly fill us with feelings of awkwardness, worry, and fear. In this week’s episode, host Aoife O’Brien breaks down feedback barriers, exploring why delivering effective and constructive feedback at work is so vital and why we should view feedback as a gift and an opportunity for growth.
“The intention of the person delivering the feedback is to actually help you, and so you should treat feedback as a gift that someone is giving you this feedback in ord...2021-12-0335 min
Happier At Work®84: Creating a happier working environment with Stefan TonnonWelcome back to Happier at Work! This week’s episode features a podcast debut appearance from an HR business leader who specialises in implementing transformational systems and initiatives within an organisation to create a high-performing and happier working environment.
‘’When things go really, really bad, the value systems keep everything together and keep the happiness, and we lift each other up. That’s what you want to do in real life. That’s what you want to do in a company. That’s what you want to do as a human being.’’ – Stefan Tonnon.
In conversation with Aoife is Stefan Tonnon, the vice p...2021-11-261h 01