Happiness at Work

What's the difference between a boss, and a leader? One has a title. And one has… something else. Today, we sit down with Jeff Gibbard, a renowned author, strategist, and founder of The Superhero Institute, to discuss what that "something else" is, and the skills and strategies leaders can use to set – and achieve – higher goals for both themselves and their organizations. Learn more about Jeff he...

While the storm of the pandemic may be receding, some analysts and officials are concerned that a new dark cloud may be forming on the horizon – a possible global recession. For businesses and employees who are still baling water after the last few years, this is not welcome news. But while we may not be able change the economic weather, there are tools and strategies we can use to prepare, respon...

The workplace evolution of the past few years has opened up new opportunities for employees across the globe. But it's also created a sense of unease. As some companies transition to remote or hybrid work and embrace employee-first philosophies, others are laying off staff and increasing their demands on those employees who remain. Employees may feel insecure in their roles, afraid that any misste...

Any sports fan knows that it's easy to coach a team when you're on a winning streak. The real challenge begins when things start to go wrong. Business is the same way. Even the most harmonious work environments can struggle – or fall apart – in the face of unforeseen crises. The most successful leaders are those who work proactively to create a positive workplace culture, and embrace forward-think...

Finding happiness at work isn't easy. It can take years of self-discovery, risk-taking, mistakes, and perseverance. Today's guest did all of those things and, after 20 years, finally had what should have been her dream job. She was the first Indian American woman – and one of the youngest people ever – to make partner at a world-renowned professional services firm, and she was a pioneer for women...

Every organization, every leader, and every employee has an identifiable strength: something they can do or create or contribute that separates them from all others in their field. Businesses and organizations that embrace this concept are more likely to create harmonious, happy and productive teams that complement each other and thrive. And, as we'll hear today, they can have some fun in the proc...

Ah, technology. The double-edged sword of the working world. Cell phones and email have made the world smaller, connecting employers and employees, businesses and customers, and allowing a generation of workers to find opportunities and even launch businesses from anywhere in the world. But they've also blurred the lines between the office and home. A study conducted during the pandemic found that...

Culture has been a buzzword in the business world for decades now. And, in many instances, that's all it was: an empty word. But in recent years, as competition for quality employees has increased, workplace culture is no longer an afterthought. For companies who take it seriously, it can be both a recruiting tool, and a competitive advantage. And it has the added benefit of bringing just a little...

A good story can change an opinion, can change a vote… it can change the way we see the world and our place in it. But stories also play a powerful role in our working lives. Businesses and organizations can rise or fall based on the stories they tell their employees, their customers, their partners, and the public. Leaders who value storytelling – who eschew boring, artificial corporate jargon in...

At home and in the workplace, happiness can be a balancing act. Our health, family, and finances can often prevent us from focusing on our own enjoyment. But what happens when we make a habit of that? What happens when we start letting other, smaller things take precedence over our happiness? Things like fear, comfortability, self-image, or other people's perceptions of us. What happens when we're...

If the past few years have shown us anything, it's that technology and work are now inextricably linked. Forever. And while digital innovations can make our lives easier, they can also create new barriers and complications, frustrating or even discriminating against workers throughout their careers. Today we sit down with Bernadette Fellner, Business Innovation Lead for PwC Austria and an informat...

One of the surest ways to find both success and happiness in the workplace is to play to your strengths. Figure out what you're good at, and find a role that allows you to apply those skills in a meaningful way. Of course, this sounds easier than it is. Most people might think the difficult part of that equation is the whole "find a job" thing, but the truth is that most of us go through our entir...

Most of us spend our careers trying to find happiness at work. Sometimes, if we're lucky, we find it. And, if we're really lucky, we can spend part of our careers helping others – our employees, coworkers, or even strangers – find that same happiness in their own lives. Today we sit down with Tia Graham, an international keynote speaker, best-selling author, leadership trainer and "Certified Chief...

We've been speaking about Happiness at Work for a while now. And one theme that continues to pop up, episode after episode, is employee engagement. Team members who feel like they have a voice – who feel valued and recognized – are more likely to be satisfied with their work, and are more likely to stay on. Today we're speaking with a guest who literally wrote the book on employee engagement and r...

Today we're so excited to bring you a crossover episode recorded with our friends over at the "Thriving with Sarah & Jenny" podcast, featuring hosts Sarah Metcalfe and Dr. Jenny Brockis. It was a true international get-together, with Sarah visiting her family in Canada, Jenny in Australia, and Elisa in the United Kingdom. Elisa, Sarah, and Jenny talked about the upcoming Forward Summit titled "Hap...

Throughout history, women have faced an uphill battle in their efforts to reach the top of their chosen fields. But when - after struggling for years against ingrained stereotypes and workplace biases - they finally do reach the summit, the fight isn't over. In many cases, it's just beginning. Today we sit down with Susan MacKenty Brady, a globally renowned Leadership Wellbeing Expert and CEO of t...

When we talk about a truly happy workplace, the image we often conjure is that of a startup. Ping pong tables, employee coffee bars, mid-day massages… And while perks like these may not be as ubiquitous as they once were in the heyday of the tech boom, startups have permanently changed the way we view work. Today we explore life at a modern tech startup, and how companies and leaders are approachi...

In recent years, employers have begun to recalibrate their perceptions and their priorities when it comes to the workplace. One of the most notable evolutions has been in the realm of mental health, and a better understanding of the role it plays in employee satisfaction, productivity, and retention. Today we sit down with Sanctus co-founder George Bettany, who is helping companies change their ow...

The world has been engaging with social media for decades now. And it seems like, no matter the platform, somehow these apps tend to bring out the worst in people. A few years ago, Stephanie Harrison tried to change that. She launched a social media channel that didn't delve into politics, didn't share mean-spirited memes or spread misinformation. It was a channel based on an incredibly simple que...

Recently, analysts and media outlets – including our podcast – have talked a lot about the "Great Resignation" in the wake of the pandemic. And while those are worthy discussions, the truth is that workplaces and employee perceptions have been shifting for quite a while now. Consultants and freelancers – those of us who have worked alongside a wide range of employers and business leaders over the...

There are so many obstacles that can prevent us from being happy at work, from salaries and commutes to incompatible teams and weird smells from the break room kitchen. But some of the most difficult challenges aren't external at all. We carry them with us from home, to the office, and back home again. These are intensely personal things like uncertainty, doubt, self-criticism, or the many varieti...

One of the leadership trends for 2022 we spotted was "The Great Employee Experience Awakening" Finally - putting people first. In this episode, we are talking to two experts - Agile coaches at Wemanity Netherlands - Viola and Frank. They speak about the essence of employees first and the employee journey.   At Management 3.0, we have long been convinced of putting employees first; something we can...

It's been called many things, but most famously, The Great Resignation. But however we refer to the massive shift away from traditional 9-5 office roles in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the result is the same. How we view work – and how we view ourselves as workers and managers – has been fundamentally changed. Forever.   For leaders, it's not enough to adapt to these changes. We need to...

Does remote work sometimes feel isolating? Do you want to talk through complex problems with others? Or do you think that creating a work community will benefit your organization?   In this episode, you will learn about communities and how they impact employee happiness and well-being. Hear about practical tips from Sara Ramos our Management 3.0 community builder, as well as best-practice examples...

While we take a little break to shape the future of the Happiness at Work podcast. We have another look at our most popular episodes of 2021!  The need for companies to care about people is not only trendy but necessary for organizations to survive. Lorna Borenstein, founder and CEO of Grokker, a company focused on wellbeing and engagement solutions, and author of the new book It's Personal: The B...