Better At Work with Cathal Quinlan

Colin Fisher went from touring the world as a jazz trumpet player to becoming one of the leading researchers on group dynamics at UCL. His new book, The Collective Edge, reveals why the structure around your team matters more than the talent inside it. In this episode, Colin shares the surprising research behind why orchestra musicians are less satisfied than prison guards, introduces the "Ca...

She left her job for a direct competitor. Six months in, she wants out. This week's Q&A tackles a listener career dilemma that most of us have lived through — that sinking feeling when your new job isn't what you expected. Amy's dealing with a culture mismatch, missing processes, and tanking motivation. Cathal and Annette share practical, honest advice drawing from their own career...

Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez got fired for trying to bring project management to a top consulting firm. Today, he's the most published expert on project management in Harvard Business Review and a Thinkers 50 global authority. His new book "Powered by Projects" makes a bold claim: Every organization is project-driven, but the leaders don't know it. IN THIS EPISODE: The Origin Story: -...

Q&A episode answering a tough leadership question from Emer, plus Annette's takeaways from Laura Gassner-Otting. IN THIS EPISODE: Thank You Email Goes Viral: Cathal's email praising his daughter's teacher went around the whole school. Miss Smith said "You'd be surprised how little that happens." Why recognition matters more than we think. Annette's Laura Takeaways...

Laura Gassner-Otting (Wall Street Journal bestselling author) joins Cathal in the London studio to challenge everything we think we know about success. This is Laura's UK/Ireland podcast debut, recorded at Christmas after a mulled wine with incredible energy. IN THIS EPISODE: The Four Horsemen of Success (and why they drive Laura batty): 1. "I'll be happy when..." - Life is short...

Q&A episode with Annette's top takeaways from Russell Beck + critical advice for dealing with burnout at work. IN THIS EPISODE: Annette's 3 Takeaways from Russell Beck: 1. The Rise of Artist Engineers (STEM → STEAM) Why creativity and art matter more than ever in the future of work. Drawing as a tool for thinking. 2. One Size Fits One Managers need to understand how each person works b...

You won't lose your job to AI in 2026. You'll lose it to someone who knows how to use AI better. Russell Beck (author of "The World of Work to 2030" - Leadership Book of the Year) breaks down what's changing in the workplace and how to stay ahead. IN THIS EPISODE: - Why AI collaboration beats AI competition - How technology democratizes work by destroying skills, not jobs - T...

Our final episode of 2025! Cathal and Annette wrap up the year with takeaways from last week's Smart Conflict episode - plus Annette has a hilarious problem: she can't stop saying the word "problematic." In this Christmas special, we review key lessons from Alice Driscoll and Louise van Haast's brilliant conversation, thank our amazing community, and ask for your help with An...

Louise van Haast and Alice Driscoll, co-authors of Smart Conflict: How to Have Hard Conversations at Work, join Cathal in-studio for a masterclass in navigating workplace conflict. This is our first in-studio episode with 4-camera setup - and it looks stunning. If you've ever avoided a difficult conversation, taken feedback too personally, or struggled to speak up at work, this episode is for...

A listener on a graduate program asks: "I'm not learning what I expected. The role feels narrow. I want to be an entrepreneur. What should I do?" Cathal and Annette tackle this question with practical advice that applies to ANYONE feeling stuck in a narrow role, not just graduates. Plus: Cathal shares what it was like meeting Dermot Kennedy (and whether he lived up to expectations)....

Carlii Lyon helped me start this podcast 5 years ago. Today, she's sharing her journey from terrified first-timer to leading personal branding expert—and her new book "Courage to Be." If you've ever felt too scared to put yourself out there, this conversation will change how you think about courage. 💡 KEY INSIGHTS: "I was that person who was terrified. I was that person who...

You asked, we answered. In this special listener Q&A episode, co-host Annette turns the tables and asks Cathal the questions we usually ask our guests. This is the story behind Better at Work: why it started, what we're building, and where we're going next.💡 KEY INSIGHTS:"People invest so much time in personal trainers to help them look better. We're like coaches to help you...

Taking a career break doesn't mean your career is over. In this episode, Julianne Miles—chartered psychologist, MBE recipient, and author of Return Journey—shares her proven 5-stage framework for returning to work after time away. Whether you've taken a break for childcare, caregiving, health reasons, or personal development, this conversation will help you navigate the transition with con...

A listener wrote in with a big question: “Where do I even begin with a career change?”In this episode, Cathal and Annette share practical advice on how to identify your unique talents, reconnect with your passions, and take small, meaningful steps toward work that matters. They also reflect on the lessons from Dr Zach Mercurio (Why Mattering Matters) — and preview next week’s guest, Julianne Miles...

Only 30% of people feel like someone at work cares for them as a person. The lowest it's ever been. Zach Mercurio refers to this as a mattering deficit. And you can't solve it with perks, programs, or engagement initiatives. You can only solve it through daily interactions where people feel genuinely cared for. In this conversation, Zach breaks down the difference between caring about people (from...

Annette and Cathal sit down to debrief last week's episode with Tasha Eurich—and it got real. Her research on why resilience is a limited resource, the concept of "grit-gaslighting," and the three biological needs we're all trying to meet completely shifted how we think about stress and burnout. In this Listener's Questions episode, we break down: → The moments from Tasha&#39...

Tasha Eurich spent 5 years studying resilience - interviewing hundreds of people, reviewing 1,300+ scientific articles, and analysing the 52 most cited resilience studies. What she discovered will change how you think about stress, burnout, and "powering through." In this episode, Tasha reveals why resilience practices help you survive but don't help you thrive, why "what doesn&...

Welcome to our first-ever  Listener Questions  episode on Better@Work! Hosts Cathal Quinlan and Annette Sloan are back for Season 4 with your new favourite format. Real workplace questions, real talk, and actionable advice. In this episode: Quick-fire get-to-know-you round with Cathal & Annette Helen Tupper’s top takeaways from last week’s launch episode The tough (and sometimes hilarious) car...

Today we welcome Helen Tupper, CEO of Amazing If and co-author of the No.1 Sunday Times Business Bestseller The Squiggly Career: Ditch the Ladder, Discover Opportunity, Design Your Career. Helen has built her career across leadership roles at Microsoft, Virgin, and BP, and today helps millions of people rethink what career success really means through her books, workshops, and the No. 1 Careers Po...

In episode 45, we welcome  Daisy Auger-Domínguez , a trailblazing executive dedicated to building vibrant and supportive cultures. Her new book “Burnt Out to Lit Up: How to Reignite the Joy of Leading People” offer practical strategies for overcoming burnout. With decades of experience driving transformation at Google and Disney, Daisy is known for innovative solutions to b...

In episode 44, we welcome workplace culture expert Colin D. Ellis, an award-winning keynote speaker and the best-selling author of  Culture Fix: How to Create a Great Place to Work  and  Detox your Culture: Deliver results, retain staff, and strengthen your organisation's reputation .  Colin and I discuss why a great organisational culture is so important - ensuring people can...

In episode 43, we welcome Sinead D'Arcy, an early talent & employer brand marketer who partners with organisations on their early talent strategy across the full 360 employee experience from attraction to selection, onboarding, ongoing development, retention & off-boarding. Sinéad does extensive work with people managers to help them understand how to unlock the superpowers of Gen Z...

In episode 42, we welcome behavioral scientist Mike Daniels, co-founder of the Behavioural Architects - a global insight, research and strategic consultancy organisation.  Mike and I discuss: The difference between  knowing  and  applying  behavioural psychology principles Why the first step to understand any problem is considering ‘System One Thinking' How to dial d...

In episode 41, we welcome behavioral scientist, psychologist, and futurist Aaron McEwan. Aaron discusses how the pandemic has fundamentally reshaped our relationship with work, marking a pivotal moment that underscores the importance of empathy and human-centered leadership within organisations.  Aaron and I discuss: The tension between organisational demands and the qualities of great human-...

In episode 40, we welcome back Amy Gallo, co-host of HBR's Women at Work podcast and the brilliant author of ‘ Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People) ' to discuss conflict, communication and navigating challenging workplace dynamics.  Amy and I discuss: Why emotional regulation is so important and how to create space in challenging situations Establishing team ps...