Happier At Work: Leadership, Culture, Performance

Are you a people-pleasing boss, or working for one? In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien delves into the challenges and pitfalls of people-pleasing leadership, a topic sparked by her recent trip across the US and conversations with managers and employees alike. Drawing from relatable scenarios and personal experience, Aoife unpacks why leaders who strive to be liked a...

In this bonus episode, Aoife gives her key takeaways from her conversation with Dr. Shirley Kavanagh, executive coach, team facilitator, and PhD researcher, on how individuals and organisations can create genuine impact and value at work, especially in a world of constant change and distraction. Key Takeaways 1. Know what drives your business Whether you're in HR, a support function, or any other...

Are you struggling to see the true value and impact of your work in today’s fast-paced environment? In this episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien welcomes Dr. Shirley Kavanagh for a deep dive into creating real value and impact at work. Together, they explore how to align daily activities with desired business outcomes, the importance of discipline and pausing for reflection, and w...

Have you ever wondered what it’s really like to work, travel, and connect across America? In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien returns from a five-and-a-half-week US book tour with eye-opening reflections on American culture, workplace mindsets, and what unites us all as humans. She shares her honest observations on wealth disparities, the vastness of the country, tec...

In this bonus episode, Aoife gives the key insights from her conversation with Gráinne Earley, Director of Employee Experience Solutions at Fuel HQ. Gráinne brings a background in performing arts and events into the world of work, and that creative lens shapes everything she does. This bonus episode pulls out the most important insights so you can put them straight into practice. Key Takeaways 🔑E...

How can leaders shape meaningful moments that create lasting impact on the employee experience? In this insightful episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien is joined by Gráinne Earley, Director of Employee Experience Solutions at FUEL, to dive deep into what employee experience truly means, from both a leadership and organisational perspective. Gráinne draws on her creative background...

Have you ever let nerves or setbacks stop you from reaching your next big goal? In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien offers an honest, behind-the-scenes look at her US book tour for "Thriving Talent." Broadcasting from San Francisco, Aoife shares both the exciting highlights and the unseen struggles of traveling alone, everything from logistical headaches and moments...

In this bonus episode, Aoife shares the key takeaways from her conversation with Matthew Cook, co-founder of The Shift, a learning and culture consultancy dedicated to helping organisations create environments where people can flourish. Matt brings a fascinating perspective shaped by a background in philosophy and advertising before finding his true calling in people and culture. Together, Aoife a...

Are you ready to rethink workplace culture for lasting happiness and performance? In this episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O’Brien sits down with Matthew Cook, co-founder of The Shift, for an in-depth discussion on how organisations and leaders can intentionally shape workplace culture to foster happier, more engaged teams. Drawing from personal experience, ongoing research, and real-...

Are your people leaders equipped to inspire, engage, and retain your top talent? In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien delves into the crucial role of people leaders and why so many organisations inadvertently set managers, and their teams up for failure. Drawing from her recent book launch and audience Q&A at Google in Dublin, Aoife unpacks the dangers of promotin...

In this week’s bonus episode, Aoife O’Brien reflects on her conversation with Mamie Kanfer Stewart all about meetings: Why so many of them fail, what that says about our leadership and culture, and how to start designing them with intention. If you've ever sat through a meeting thinking "I could be doing actual work right now," this one's for you. Here are the key takeaways: Bad meetings are a lea...

Are endless meetings draining your productivity? In this episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien sits down with Mamie Kanfer Stewart, author of the acclaimed book "Momentum," to dive deep into the art and science of running effective meetings. Drawing from her unique experience growing up in a family business with vibrant, purposeful meetings and contrasting it with the all-too-commo...

Are some people at work simply lazy, or is disengagement an organisational issue? In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife dives deep into the controversial topic of "quiet quitting" and whether workplace disengagement is a result of individual laziness or systemic challenges within organisations. Drawing from recent opinion pieces and the launch of the Thriving Talent book, Aoif...

In this bonus episode of the The Happier at Work Podcast, host Aoife O’Brien reflects on her recent conversation with Leanne Elliott, unravelling the growing sense of overwhelm affecting both individuals and organisations. Together, Aoife and Leanne explored practical ways to reduce stress, foster genuine connections, and build psychological safety at work, all while linking these priorities to co...

Are you struggling with overwhelm at work and wondering how to create a thriving, positive environment? In this episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife sits down with Leanne Elliott, occupational psychologist and host of Truth, Lies and Work, to unravel the growing sense of overwhelm affecting both individuals and organisations. Together, they explore practical ways to reduce stress, foster...

Are you struggling to balance resilience with realistic workplace expectations? In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien takes a deep dive into the concept of resilience at work. Challenging the traditional view that resilience is purely an individual trait, Aoife explores the systemic factors that shape our need for resilience, and makes a compelling case for addressing...

How can leaders and organisations create truly thriving and happier workplaces in today’s ever-changing world? In this milestone 300th episode of the Happier at Work podcast, recorded live at PwC in New York, host Aoife O’ Brien swaps seats and answers insightful questions from Bhushan Sethi about her new book, “Thriving Talent.” Together, Aoife and Bhushan dig into practical ways individuals and...

How do you use marketing to achieve success? In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O’Brien offers an honest and practical deep dive into the realities of publishing, writing, and marketing “Thriving Talent.” From deciding to create a dedicated website to navigating the emotional journey of seeking endorsements and handling criticism, you’ll hear how success depends on muc...

Have you ever wondered what the next steps are after writing a book? In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O’Brien dives deep into the realities of the book writing and publishing process, sharing personal challenges, victories, and lessons learned while creating "Thriving Talent." If you’ve ever doubted your ability to write a book or are simply curious about what it tak...

Are you curious about what really goes on behind the scenes of publishing a book? In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O’Brien offers a candid, insightful look into the journey from book idea to publication week for her debut business book, "Thriving Talent." From early aspirations and overcoming doubts to finding the right writing community and publisher, she demystifie...

Today is publication day for my book, Thriving Talent: How Great Leaders Drive Performance, Engagement and Retention . https://www.thrivingtalentbook.com This isn’t just a milestone moment—it’s a chance to pause and reflect on what this journey has really been about. Because writing a book isn’t just about getting your ideas down on paper. It changes how you think. It forces clarity. It challenges...

Are you ready to become a more effective and conscious leader? In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O'Brien wraps up the Thriving Talent series by delving into the realities of leadership, what it really takes to lead both yourself and others. Drawing on research for her forthcoming book "Thriving Talent" and reflecting on personal experiences, Aoife O'Brien explores the...

In this bonus episode of the The Happier at Work Podcast, host Aoife O’Brien reflects on her recent conversation with Dr Mary Collins, exploring the tensions that can arise between generations in the workplace. Rather than framing generational differences as a “people problem,” this episode highlights a more powerful perspective: intergenerational conflict is often a leadership design problem. Whe...

Are you navigating the challenges of leading a multi-generational team at work? In this enlightening episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O'Brien welcomes Dr. Mary Collins, a chartered psychologist and expert in leadership, talent development, and workplace wellbeing. Together, they unravel the complexities and opportunities that come with managing people from different generations,...

In this Listener Question episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife answers a question many professionals struggle with: How do you decide what to focus on when your to-do list never seems to end? Many people end their day feeling busy but not necessarily productive. The issue often isn’t capability or motivation – it’s that our attention is pulled in too many different directions. Aoife explo...