Happier At Work: Leadership, Culture, Performance

Are meetings, emails, and unclear expectations getting in the way of you or your team doing your best work? In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O'Brien delves into one of the biggest workplace challenges: the distractions and blockers that prevent us from tapping into our full capabilities. Building on themes from her upcoming book, "Thriving Talent", Aoife explores how...

In this bonus episode, Aoife takes us through the key takeaways from her conversation with Damon Lembi, CEO of Learn it, to unpack what it really means to learn and lead in the age of AI. As technology accelerates, Damon makes the case that the true competitive advantage isn’t access to AI tools, it’s the ability to stay curious, adaptable, and committed to continuous growth. Key takeaways: AI is...

Are you ready to upskill for success in the age of AI? In this episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O'Brien sits down with Damon Lembi, CEO of Learn It and author of "The Learn It All Leader," to explore the evolving landscape of workplace learning. Together, they delve into the challenges and opportunities of transitioning from individual contributor to manager, and how both leaders...

Many teams have talented people but still struggle to deliver results consistently. So what’s missing? In this Listener Question episode of the Happier at Work® podcast, Aoife answers a question about the difference between individual strengths and team capability . Having strong individuals does not automatically create a high-performing team. The real shift happens when leaders intentionally des...

Are you making the most of your strengths, and those of your team at work? In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien dives deep into the crucial role of strengths and capabilities in creating effective, thriving teams. Building on themes from her upcoming book, "Thriving Talent," Aoife explores how understanding and leveraging both individual and collective strengths can t...

Can leaders show vulnerability at work and still be effective? In this bonus episode, Aoife explores the biggest insights from her conversation with workplace mental health expert Melissa Doman. Together, they challenge the myth that leaders must be “psychologically above” the human experience and unpack what happens when leaders feel they must appear superhuman. This episode offers practical ways...

Who supports the mental health of leaders in your workplace? In the latest episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien welcomes back organisational psychologist and leadership mental health expert Melissa Doman. This honest and eye-opening conversation explores why it’s crucial to support not just employees, but leaders as well. Melissa reveals how leaders are often expected to have it a...

Have you ever thought: “I’m successful on paper… but I don’t feel fulfilled.” You’ve got the senior title. The salary is strong. People respect you. And yet something feels… off. In this Listener Question episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O’Brien explores why external career success doesn’t always translate into internal fulfilment — and what to do about it. If you’re a mid-career or s...

Are you searching for the secret to truly motivating your team? In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien dives deep into what drives genuine motivation in today’s workplace. Building on previous discussions about workplace culture and psychological safety, Aoife unpacks the "drivers" pillar from her soon-to-be-released Thriving Talent framework. Drawing from research, per...

Most leaders say they want learning. Most organisations reward certainty. In this bonus episode, Aoife translates one of the most easily-missed tensions from her conversation with Amy Edmondson: psychological safety doesn’t fail because leaders don’t care, it fails because leaders underestimate how strongly the system nudges people towards silence, agreement, and self-protection. This isn’t about...

Are you creating the right conditions for your team to learn and thrive? In this episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien is joined by world-renowned expert in psychological safety, Amy Edmondson. Together, they dive deep into what psychological safety truly means in the workplace, why it is essential for organisational learning, innovation, and effective teamwork, and how leaders can...

In this Listener Question episode of Happier at Work , Aoife O’Brien responds to a question many leaders wrestle with: How do you know when a workplace is toxic — and when it’s time to leave rather than trying to fix it? Following this week’s solo episode on how toxic workplaces are created, this conversation focuses on the personal decision leaders face when they’re inside one. This episode isn’t...

Have you ever wondered why toxic workplace cultures are so widespread, even when no one sets out to create them? In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien dives deep into the root causes and far-reaching impact of toxic work environments. Drawing insights directly from her upcoming book, Thriving Talent , Aoife unpacks how unintended toxicity takes hold in organisations, t...

Are you struggling with constant busyness and overwhelm at work? In this week’s bonus episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien breaks down the practical strategies for overcoming stress and maximising impact at work, no matter your role or industry from her conversation with James Louttit, project management expert and author. Drawing from personal experience and his extensive backgro...

Are you struggling with constant busyness and overwhelm at work? In the latest episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien sits down with project management expert and author James Louttit for a deep dive into practical strategies for overcoming stress and maximizing impact at work, no matter your role or industry. Drawing from personal experience and his extensive background leading tea...

Applying for dozens, or even hundreds, of jobs and still not landing a role can be exhausting, especially when you have 15+ years’ experience and you’re making it to final-stage interviews but not getting the offer. In this Listener Question episode, Aoife O’Brien answers a question from a mid-career professional navigating job search frustration in a tough market. If you’re getting interviews but...

Are you a leader striving to create a truly positive workplace culture? In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien dives deep into the real drivers behind workplace culture, moving far beyond value slides and engagement surveys to focus on what’s truly rewarded, tolerated, and repeated in the workplace, especially under pressure. Drawing from her upcoming book, “Thriving Ta...

Are you struggling to get along with someone at work, no matter how hard you try? In this, the first bonus episode of 2026, host Aoife O’Brien gives her key takeaways and insights from her conversation with Catherine Stothart, leadership coach and author. Drawing from her extensive experience in leadership development with global organisations and her books on communication and motivation, Catheri...

Are you struggling to get along with someone at work, no matter how hard you try? In this inspiring episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O'Brien speaks with leadership coach and author Catherine Stothart about the art and science of getting along with just about anyone. Drawing from her extensive experience in leadership development with global organisations and her books on communic...

Are you running on fumes as the year comes to a close? In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien gets real about end-of-year exhaustion, sharing her personal experiences and lessons learned after a hectic, relentless year without a truly restorative break. Drawing from her own journey juggling business demands and book writing, plus research for her upcoming book, Aoife O'...

What if we reimagined work as a product, something employees subscribe to, rather than simply a place they show up? In this thought-provoking episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien sits down with Dart Lindsley, CEO and co-founder of 11fold and host of the Work for Humans podcast. Together, they explore the innovative concept of treating work as a product, challenging traditional man...

Are you stuck believing that people, or even you, can never change? In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien dives deep into the powerful concepts of fixed and growth mindsets, drawing on her own experiences and insights from Carol Dweck’s influential book, Mindset. Aoife shares candid reflections on how her default fixed mindset affected her professional choices, how she...

Are you ready to take charge of your happiness, both at work and in life? In this episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien sits down with Klaudia Mitura, Learning and Development Manager at the Science Museum Group UK and certified Chief Happiness Officer, to explore the science of happiness. Klaudia reveals how happiness isn’t just “fluffy”, it’s grounded in research and practical ha...

Are you holding yourself back at work by seeking permission instead of stepping into your power? In this impactful solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien explores the subtle and not so subtle ways we ask for permission in our professional lives. Sparked by a personal conversation with her cousin, Aoife O'Brien reflects on her own tendency to seek approval, especially in seeming...

Are you actively managing your career, or is your career managing you? In this episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O’Brien sits down with Sergey Gorbatov, a professor, consultant, and career strategist, for a deep dive into what career success really means and how to take ownership of your professional journey. Together, they explore the critical difference between drifting through...