Happier At Work: Leadership, Culture, Performance

Are you unintentionally fueling imposter syndrome in your team? In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O’Brien dives deep into the critical role leaders play in either alleviating or exacerbating imposter syndrome within their teams. Drawing on her years of experience, Aoife unpacks what imposter syndrome really is, why it persists, even among top performers, and how well-...

Are you ready to become a more flexible and effective leader in today’s complex world? In this episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O’Brien sits down with renowned leadership expert Kevin Eikenberry to discuss the secrets behind truly impactful leadership. Drawing on decades of experience, including working with leaders from over 50 countries and authoring numerous books, Kevin delves int...

What truly drives high performing teams at work? In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O'Brien explores the power of trust as the essential foundation for high performing teams. Aoife dives deep into why trust matters more than intelligence, technology, or resources, and shares research-backed insights, including Gallup's findings and Google’s Project Aristotle, that high...

How can we reinvent workplace transitions to create happier, more engaged teams? In this compelling episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O’Brien sits down with Robert Glazer, serial entrepreneur, leadership expert, and best-selling author, to rethink what it means to leave a job and how workplaces can better support transitions. Drawing from his latest book, “Rethinking Two Weeks Not...

Are your team members burning out, and what can you do about it as a leader? In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O’Brien gets real about the organisational cost of burnout and why it’s far more than an individual problem. Drawing from candid conversations and decades of corporate experience, Aoife unpacks the vital role leaders play in creating environments where teams...

This  bonus episode of the Happier at Work® Podcast  is my reflection on the recent  live podcast recording in London  with  Isabel Berwick , Working It Editor at the  Financial Times  and host of the  Working It  podcast. In this episode, I share my  key takeaways on leadership, workplace culture, and the future of work , including: How to  r...

How do we truly future-proof our careers and create workplaces where people thrive? In this special episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien sits down with Isabel Berwick, renowned Financial Times journalist, editor, and host of the "Working It" podcast, live from The Rose Shure Experience Centre in Central London. Drawing on decades of experience, Isabel shares her journey from journ...

Are you worried about how AI might change your job, or even take it away? In this insightful solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O’Brien unpacks the growing concerns, fears, and opportunities surrounding artificial intelligence in the workplace. Drawing from her own experiences and conversations with global clients, Aoife shares how AI is transforming workloads, stirring anxiet...

Are you searching for true belonging at work without sacrificing who you are? In this thought-provoking episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O’Brien is joined by Dr. Beth Kaplan, one of the world’s leading belonging experts and a passionate researcher of human connection in the workplace. Beth candidly shares her personal journey, from navigating toxic leadership and workplace trauma to r...

Do you have too many meetings at work? Are endless meetings eating into your productivity? In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O’Brien tackles one of the biggest workplace challenges: ineffective meetings. Aoife shares her expert insights and practical framework for rethinking how and why we meet, helping you reclaim their time and focus on meaningful work. Drawing on h...

What truly makes us happier at work, and how can understanding our needs and values help us thrive? In this thought-provoking episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O’Brien sits down with Dr. Mark Fabian, Associate Professor of Public Policy at the University of Warwick and well-being researcher, for a deep dive into the science and practice of happiness in the workplace. Together, the...

For the very first time,  Happier at Work®  is going  Live in London ! Join me, Aoife O’Brien, and special guest  Isabel Berwick , host of the  Financial Times   Working It  podcast, for an in-person recording of the show. Where:  Central London When:  Tuesday, 16th September 2025 Time:  5:00–7:00pm What to expect: A thought-provoking conversation...

When was the last time you felt truly recognised at work? In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O’Brien dives deep into the essential topic of recognition in the workplace. Aoife explores why recognition often falls to the bottom of the priority list and how transformative it can be when made a regular part of team culture. She explains why recognition doesn’t need to tak...

Are you struggling to navigate difficult conversations at work? In this episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O’Brien welcomes psychologist, leadership consultant, and author Sarah Rozenthuler to uncover the art of having meaningful and impactful conversations in the workplace. With her rich background in organisational psychology and experience facilitating leaders, Sarah shares how self-...

Would you like a simple, powerful way to reduce workplace misunderstandings and boost motivation? In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O’Brien dives deep into the concept of the “Manual of Me,” a practical guide you and your team can use to clarify communication styles, working preferences, motivators, and more. Inspired by real-world experiences and expert recommendatio...

Are you ready to rethink talent management for a happier, more effective workplace? In this episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O’Brien is joined by Sophie Taylor, a global talent leader with a background in psychology and HR, currently at PAR Technologies. Sophie shares her dynamic journey across industries, from healthcare to manufacturing, and reveals how her experiences have shaped h...

What does it really take to create a positive and thriving workplace culture? In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O'Brien dives deep into the core elements that foster happier, more engaged teams. Drawing on both research and real-world experience, Aoife shares the foundational framework of her forthcoming business book, currently titled "Thriving Talent." She explores...

Are you ready to reimagine the future of work in an age of tech disruption? In this week’s episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O'Brien sits down with Josh Drean, co-founder of the Work3 Institute, Harvard Business Review Press author, and employee experience design expert. Together, they dive deep into why the traditional employment contract is failing today’s workforce and how emer...

Are you struggling to manage underperformance on your team? In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O'Brien dives into the challenging topic of dealing with underperformers in the workplace. Drawing on her experiences as a career and culture strategist, Aoife unpacks the reasons why underperformance happens, how it impacts you as a leader or teammate, and the practical step...

How can embracing neurodiversity create a happier, more successful workplace? In this thought-provoking episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O'Brien is joined by Tatiana Ryan, a passionate neurodiversity advocate and accomplished pharma professional. They had an insightful discussion about ADHD, neurodivergence, and thriving at work. Tatiana shares her personal journey from receiving...

Are you feeling overwhelmed by busyness and constant demands at work? In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O’Brien tackles the all-too-common issue of being perpetually busy: Why it happens, the impact it has on our personal and professional lives, and most importantly, what actionable steps we can take to reclaim our time and energy. Aoife openly shares her own struggle...

How can you build stronger human connections at work and lift your team out of the awkward zone? In this thought-provoking episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O’Brien is joined by Jen Marr, author, researcher, and expert on supportive workplace cultures. They explore the essential human skills that leaders need in today’s rapidly changing, tech-driven world. Drawing from her rich persona...

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 stre...

Are your workplace connections making your team thrive, or driving disengagement? In this episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O’Brien welcomes Dr. Zach Mercurio back for a powerful conversation on the workplace “mattering deficit” and how creating a true sense of significance can transform teams. Drawing on the latest research, including worrying trends of record-low employee engagement...

How 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 underutili...