Happier At Work®
196 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 months ago - ★★★★★ - 13 ratingsHappier at Work® is a weekly business podcast for HR and business leaders who know that their people are their best asset, and who want to retain their top talent. Happier employees are more productive, more engaged, and stay in an organisation for longer. Through interesting guest interviews and solo episodes, host Aoife O’Brien covers four main themes: leadership equity; engagement and belonging; productivity and performance; and the future of work.
What does being happier at work mean for you and your organisation?
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Episodes
44: Katharine Slattery on Effective Mentoring
December 04, 2020 06:00 - 44 minutes - 40.8 MBKatharine Slattery and Aoife O’Brien speak about mentoring: the difference between mentoring and coaching; the benefits of mentoring specifically; what makes an effective mentoring programme. We also talk about the preparation needed for both the mentor and the mentee when it comes to designing and delivering an effective mentoring programme. Katharine Slattery established Mentoring Resources in 2012, to design and deliver in-person and eLearning training programmes for mentors and mentees p...
43: Garima Gupta on Self Care for HR
November 27, 2020 06:01 - 47 minutes - 43.8 MBGarima Gupta and Aoife O’Brien speak about how HR can implement better self-care practices. HR tend to be the ones looking after everyone else, which can lead to increased levels of burnout within the team. We discuss how HR should be the ones to put on their own oxygen mask first and Garima shares some very practical tips on how to make that happen. The advice she shares is applicable not only to HR, but to anyone working in an organisation and who could do with learning ways to deal with bu...
42: Casey Ryals on Leading Yourself First
November 20, 2020 06:00 - 43 minutes - 40 MBCasey Ryals and Aoife O’Brien speak about his new book Last to Least. Casey shares some wonderful insights about how we can lead ourselves better. Leadership books often cite the importance of leading ourselves before we can lead others, however they don’t address the way to do this. Casey wants to share with the world this new way of thinking and being. He encourages us to make decisions based on our character, or who we are (want to be!) rather than rash decisions and instant gratification....
41: Pattie Grimm on Empowering Women Leaders
November 13, 2020 06:00 - 55 minutes - 50.9 MBPattie Grimm and Aoife O’Brien speak about empowering women at work. Recent studies from McKinsey & Lean In and IBM show that one in four women is considering leaving or stepping back from work duties due to Covid-19. This particularly impacts on women in leadership positions. In this podcast, we discuss ways for women to empower themselves as well as others. Pattie Grimm shares her 5 step approach: 1 Be Strong; 2 Stand Up; 3 Stand Out; 4 Put Yourself First on your List; 5 Rise Up. We speak a...
40: Chris Pinner on Wellbeing at Work
November 06, 2020 06:00 - 47 minutes - 43.8 MBChris Pinner and Aoife O’Brien speak about all things wellbeing at work. We speak about getting leadership buy-in to the wellness programmes in organisations, the basics of wellbeing at work and what that means, the importance of investing in addition to role modelling in an organisation, using statistics versus stories to share about wellbeing at work, e.g 90% of CEOs are investing in wellbeing initiatives, mental wellbeing declined during lockdown, how can senior leaders in your organisatio...
39: Nate Regier on Seeing People Through
October 30, 2020 06:00 - 47 minutes - 43.5 MBNate Regier and Aoife O’Brien speak about his latest book, Seeing People Through. This is a fable-based book which focuses on the types in people (rather than types of people). We speak about compassion, the importance of diversity of personality, PCM - observable communication behaviours - hypocrisy; honesty; influence; self-deception; trust, the importance of leveraging diversity towards a shared goal, the importance of personality diversity in D&I, how ‘like attracts like’ creates an echo ...
Trailer
October 23, 2020 05:00 - 2 minutes - 2.25 MBThe podcast returns after an extended break, with lots of juicy content lined up for you well into the new year! You'll find the survey at: https://www.happieratwork.ie/survey and connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien
38: Elysia Hegarty on the future of Wellness
July 24, 2020 05:00 - 46 minutes - 42.6 MBElysia Hegarty from CPL’s Future of Work institute and I speak about the future of wellness. We speak about work-related stress and burnout, the causes (time pressure, work overload, job insecurity, poor leadership, long hours, lack of progression, not feeling valued). The eight dimensions of wellness are: spiritual, environmental, physical, mental, intellectual, occupational, social, financial. How can our approach to wellness change for the better? With over 15 years’ experience in Human...
37: Enrique Rubio from Hacking HR
July 17, 2020 05:00 - 54 minutes - 50 MBEnrique Rubio from Hacking HR and I speak about the future of work and the opportunity presented to us during this difficult time. We cover topics such as creativity at work, how there is an opportunity to allow people to be more curious and innovative. Trust featured highly in the podcast - could it be that you are not hiring the right people (because you don't trust them to do their job) or you don't have the right people in the right roles? Companies are not taking advantage of their talen...
36: Henry Stewart from Happy
July 03, 2020 05:00 - 44 minutes - 41 MBHenry Stewart (from Happy) and I talk about the future of work. We talk about the three fundamentals of what makes a happier workplace, as outlined by Daniel Pink’s book Drive: Mastery; Autonomy; Purpose. Mastery is about playing to your strengths – imagine spending most of your time doing something you love, and not having to do the things you really hate?! Managers should act as coaches, and be good as spotting talent and getting the most from employees. What if you could choose your own ma...
35: Mike Vacanti from Humans First
June 19, 2020 05:00 - 1 hour - 62.6 MBMike Vacanti (from Humans First) and I talk about the future of work. Let's start with what's wrong: we don't treat people very well at work! Most organisations are set up for competition rather than collaboration, and most of what we see and read is about "getting ahead" - but what if we took a different approach? Giving employees a choice in what they do and how they do it will really drive their motivation. Regarding management: allowing the best people to rise based on their ability to he...
34: Andrew Barnes & Charlotte Lockhart from 4 Day Week
June 05, 2020 05:00 - 1 hour - 57.3 MBThis is an exciting episode on the Future of Work series, I speak with Andrew Barnes (for the second time) and Charlotte Lockhart – first time with two guests! Andrew and Charlotte are from 4 Day Week Global. We talk about the impact of COVID-19 on how we currently work, what this means for the future of work – remote working, flexible working and the positive impacts of this global pandemic. We also cover productivity, and the time versus outcomes trap. We speak about the challenges of flexi...
33: Kelly Monahan Future of Work series
May 29, 2020 05:01 - 54 minutes - 50.3 MBIn this 3rd episode of the Future of Work series, I speak with Dr Kelly Monahan. We talk about the impact of COVID-19 on how we work; how the impact of accelerating technology, and the shift away from maximising shareholder wealth towards purpose-driven business will separate the great companies from the rest. Leaders who show compassion and confidence during this crisis will thrive. Ask yourself, how is my business adding value? with a focus on the improvements you make for customers. If you...
32: Future Of Work Special - COVID-19
May 22, 2020 10:41 - 30 minutes - 27.7 MBThis is a special episode featuring 5 guests, plus my own perspective on the future of work, given the current global pandemic we find ourselves in with COVID-19, the coronavirus. Fiona English shares in sights on the impact of this trauma which leads to a shift in perspective and a desire for change "how things are versus how we think they should be". Acceptance and choice is key here. Bernard Jackman talks about virtual meetings, how we have adapted quickly, and will continue to use these ...
31: Stephen Dargan on the Future of Work
May 08, 2020 05:00 - 56 minutes - 51.4 MBThis is the first episode in the “Future of Work” series. I speak with Stephen Dargan from Wake Up. Stephen and I talk about how work is going to change in the immediate future as well as further down the line. It’s time to question the way we worked – where we work from, and the time spent at work. We talk about the importance of autonomy at work, as well as meaning and purpose. Stephen Dargan wants your organisation to feel happier. Stephen has worked with managing teams for 10 years to ...
30: Special Episode! Leadership Series Roundup
May 01, 2020 16:22 - 22 minutes - 21 MBThis is a roundup of all of the conversations from the past 9 episodes. Use it as a reminder if you have already listened, or a taster if you have yet to listen! Bernard Jackman - the essence of true leadership is having a clear purpose, setting clear expectations around that purpose in terms of the "what" (strategy and goals) and the "how" (culture and behaviours). This is underpinned by a strong feedback culture - being open to giving and receiving feedback in a timely and constructive fash...
29: Aoife Lenox on Introverts
April 24, 2020 05:00 - 48 minutes - 44.7 MBAoife Lenox, found of Inside Strategies provides coaching and training services centred on introverts in business. She also consults with organisations to promote quiet leadership and communication strategies in preparation for the future of work. Aoife and I talk about introvert leaders. Aoife shares insights on what makes introverts and extraverts different, the importance of self-awareness, different types of introverts, quiet leadership, the introvert entrepreneur, the strengths and p...
28: Jonny Cooper on Teams
April 03, 2020 05:00 - 1 hour - 56.6 MBJonny Cooper can be described as an elite performer with a strong desire to lead, influence and inspire people and teams with his actions. Jonny has a strong desire to continuously learn and develop. Currently he is completing his MSc in Organisational Behaviour and Psychology and previously completing an executive coaching diploma in the Irish Management Institute, a leadership programme from Maynooth University, and holding an undergraduate degree in Sports Science and Health from Dublin ...
27: Saskia Kremer on Personal Leadership
March 27, 2020 06:00 - 47 minutes - 43.4 MBThis 7th episode in the Leadership Series features Saskia Kremer. We speak personal leadership and what you need to do in order to manage yourself. We cover things like being proactive rather than reactive, reflecting on your day “if you don’t run the day, the day runs you” but in a non-judgemental way, chunking your vision down to smaller pieces, and celebrating the wins. Saskia helps successful, time challenged high level management, directors and business owners, who can’t find the bandw...
26: Timen Baart on Trust
March 20, 2020 06:00 - 47 minutes - 43.5 MBThis 6th episode in the Leadership Series features Timen Baart from TrustXP. We speak about all things trust in the workplace, with a specific focus on employee trust and what as leaders we can do to drive trust. We answer questions like: What is trust? Why is it important? What drives trust? Timen shares his insights on this elusive topic, and delves into the key drivers: fairness; competence; identification; reciprocity; transparency. It all starts with leadership! Timen Baart is the autho...
25: Asumpta Gallagher on Leadership
March 13, 2020 06:00 - 46 minutes - 43 MBThis episode features Asumpta Gallagher, the owner and founder of Best Practice. She launched her business in early 2018 to provide supports to GP’s, their Practices and their Staff. The services that Best Practice provide, enables GPs to spend more time being the Doctors they want to be. Best Practice helps to standardise processes, implement systems as well as providing tailored training to staff inhouse, remotely and through external workshops. A well managed Practice empowers and motivat...
24: Tim Kidd on Putting People First
March 06, 2020 06:00 - 56 minutes - 51.7 MBThis episode features Tim Kidd, the Europanel Managing Director for Kantar’s Worldpanel division, with responsibility for the UK, France, Spain, Ireland, Portugal, Greece plus the US. Kantar Worldpanel is centred on the creation of data and insight to help clients understand people better (specifically what they buy and consume) and to inspire growth. Tim has been in the business for 27 years and is retiring at the end of March, which will be a sad and happy day in equal measure. He believe...
23: Stephen Naughton on What makes a Good Leader
February 28, 2020 06:00 - 54 minutes - 50.1 MBThis episode features Stephen Naughton, an experienced leadership coach and consultant with unique skills in operational leadership and team coaching. He has over 16 years’ experience in leading teams in financial services and developing the Operations Performance Centres of Excellence. Stephen covering a wide variety of topics such as leadership, emotional intelligence, diversity awareness, virtual communications and resilience. He continues to coach executives and also coaches college stude...
22: Fiona English on Meaning at Work
February 21, 2020 11:59 - 58 minutes - 53.4 MB22: Fiona English on Meaning at Work by Aoife O'Brien
21: Leadership Series Bernard Jackman - lessons from sport
February 14, 2020 06:00 - 54 minutes - 50 MBThis episode features Bernard Jackman, former Irish international and Leinster rugby player whose story of success and failure – of bouncing back – makes him an engaging and entertaining speaker who can talk with authority, ease and humour about what success looks like and how to take responsibility for, and create, your own success. Bernard and I discuss what leadership means, what makes a good leader, and recipes for success. Leadership starts with purpose, clear communication of that purp...
20: Special Episode on Imposter Syndrome
February 07, 2020 06:00 - 45 minutes - 41.4 MBIn this special episode of the podcast, I speak with a range of people about their experience of imposter syndrome. Louise Goss is founder of Homeworker magazine, Adrian Whelan is a Senior Vice President and Head of Regulatory Intelligence for Investor Services at Brown Brothers Harriman (BBH), Andrea Mara is a crime fiction author, Peter Hill works in analytics in the fast moving consumer goods industry in Sydney, Korina Duffy has her own business Korina Duffy Fitness. All of them share thei...
19: Sara Lasker on Hygge
January 31, 2020 10:46 - 35 minutes - 32.6 MBThis episode features Sara Lasker of Healthy & Hygge. We talk all things Hygge, considered a defining characteristic of Danish culture. Hygge is associated with cosiness and an overall sense of harmony with your environment leading to greater wellbeing. We discuss how it’s not just a winter phenomenon, how to be more Hygge, and what that looks like specifically in work. Health is more than just the number on a glucose meter. As one of the first people in the world dually certified as a Maste...
18: Kate Maree O'Brien on Boundaries
January 24, 2020 06:00 - 45 minutes - 42.1 MBThis episode features Kate Maree O’Brien, leadership expert. We talk all things boundaries – how to recognise when your boundaries are unclear or non-existent, what lies beneath that behaviour, and how to untangle yourself from that web. People pleasing leads to over-functioning, which in turn leads to under-functioning of those around you. Are you taking things on for other people that they really should be doing for themselves? Turn unspoken agreements into spoken boundaries. We train peopl...
17: Brigid Farrell on Cross-cultural Communication
January 17, 2020 06:00 - 32 minutes - 30 MBThis episode features Brigid Farrell from All Talk Training. We discuss how to improve your communication, specifically in a cross-cultural environment. We speak about the importance of self-awareness and empathy, the impact of culture on our communication, and the importance of ensuring you have been understood. Brigid Farrell, founder of AllTalk Training, works with companies who operate internationally and have culturally diverse teams, helping them to eradicate communication issues that ...
16: Jason Cooper on Improving Your Performance
January 10, 2020 10:46 - 52 minutes - 47.9 MBThis episode features Jason Cooper an Advanced Mind, Business & Sales Coach/trainer. We discuss how to improve your performance, especially at work. We speak about authenticity; being true to yourself. Showing vulnerability to build a rapport with others. This builds trust, shows the true side of you, and makes you less superhero and more human! Being ok with not “knowing it all” and seeking help from others. Having a growth mindset, using feedforward instead of feedback. Visualisation as a g...
15: Pauline Rohdich on Mastering Your Thoughts
December 20, 2019 08:57 - 49 minutes - 45.7 MBThis episode features Pauline Rohdich from Just Pause, a rapid transformation therapist. She speaks about how changing our thoughts can have a dramatic impact on our life; mastering your mind can allow you to take your power back. Often we are living inside repeated patterns of behaviour, and holding ourselves back from reaching our true potential; living a “diluted” version of ourselves. 50% of our happiness is from genetics, 40% from our habits and beliefs, and only 10% is due to circumsta...
14: Emiliana Simon-Thomas on Happiness at Work
December 13, 2019 07:00 - 1 hour - 58.1 MBEmiliana and I discuss all things happiness at work! The PERK framework - purpose, engagement, resilience, kindness. The importance of kindness in the workplace for business outcomes, especially when it comes to teamwork. How to communicate effectively and deal with conflict at work. The importance of mindfulness and gratitude at work. How there needs to be a culture and mindset shift away from the idea that work is bad and you can't be happy at work. Emiliana Simon-Thomas, PhD, is the Scien...
13: Adrian Whelan on Inclusion
December 06, 2019 06:00 - 42 minutes - 39.1 MBAdrian Whelan from Brown Brothers Harriman (BBH) and I speak about inclusion in the workplace, among lots of others things. Being your authentic self at work, how to speak up, getting a mentor, the idea of "normal" (what is normal?), the key to fitting in at work, "giving it a go", self-awareness, reflection, creating a feedback culture, high performers, the "getting out of bed" test and how a diversity and inclusion policy results in better business outcomes. Adrian Whelan is a Senior Vice ...
12: Treasa Spragg on the importance of Sleep
November 22, 2019 06:00 - 1 hour - 60.1 MBIn this episode, I speak with Treasa Spragg from Revolution Project Ltd all about the importance of sleep for our overall health and happiness in work. We talk about moving away from the “sleep when I’m dead” mentality, the importance of sleep cycles, prepping for social occasions/ late nights, being kind to your body, practical tips anyone can use to improve the quality of their sleep. Decide for yourself how you want to feel, make the necessary changes, and don’t forget to catalogue the cha...
11: Louise Goss on Working from Home
November 15, 2019 06:01 - 46 minutes - 42.6 MBIn this episode, I speak with Louise Goss from The Homeworker magazine about Working from Home. This episode is for remote workers, freelancers, entrepreneurs, flexible workers. Whether you love it or hate it, we discuss some very practical tips that you can implements to make working from home much better, productive, and happier. Things like: leave the house, schedule your day, don’t forget to schedule breaks too, listen to your body, acknowledge your achievements, don’t compare yourself to...
10: Bettina Arnafjall from Women's Career Lift
November 08, 2019 06:00 - 45 minutes - 41.2 MBIn this episode, I speak with Bettina Arnafjall from Women’s Career Lift. We discuss how, as women, we tend to get in our own way when it comes to managing our careers. It’s important to take stock of our achievements and communicate them effectively. Collect positive feedback and bring good news to your manager; be in the driving seat of your own career. If you’re not happy at work, stop complaining and take action. We also chat about raising your visibility, how to deal with mistakes, and t...
9: Bill Phillips on Timeshifting
November 01, 2019 06:00 - 51 minutes - 47.2 MBIn this episode, I speak with Bill Phillips about Timeshifting. We discuss how our happiness depends on how we construct our own realities. Time is an illusion, how to take a deep breath to get into the present moment and temporarily out of the “rat race”. We often find ourselves limited or controlled by time, and get stressed when we try to resist what’s happening to us. Be present in the moment, savour the moment, choose how you want to feel by identifying the thoughts that are driving your...
8: Gerry Duffy on Goal Setting
October 25, 2019 07:10 - 47 minutes - 43.9 MBIn this episode, I speak with Gerry Duffy about Goal Setting. We discuss the importance of writing down your goals, being in control of your own future, getting clear on why you want to achieve your goals (start with why!), contracting in advance to avoid setbacks, being specific. What you do every day is more important than what you do once in a while. What does success look like to you? Try a “check-in Wednesday” How to stay motivated after the routine of the everyday has kicked in. The imp...
7: Andrew Barnes from 4-Day Week
October 17, 2019 23:21 - 45 minutes - 42 MBIn this episode of Happier at Work podcast, I speak with Andrew Barnes. Andrew’s company Perpetual Guardian sparked global media fascination with its flexible work model after it successfully trialled and implemented the four-day week, resulting in a 20% lift in employee productivity, a 27% reduction in work stress levels, and a 45% increase in employee work-life balance. The four-day week concept has proven to be extraordinarily popular around the world. Media coverage of the four-day week h...
6: Simon Haigh on Resilience
October 11, 2019 13:14 - 53 minutes - 49.2 MBIn this episode, Simon Haigh and I talk about resilience, our “capacity to cope with life” or how we manage our emotional and behavioural responses. It is further broken down into self-resilience, societal resilience, and life resilience. Self-resilience is about accepting yourself as you are, unconditionally. Knowing that we are not limited. Permission to feel our feelings, think, choose how to respond and live in the moment. Life is uncertain, so it’s about learning to live with ambiguity....
5: Stephen Downey on Mindfulness
October 04, 2019 12:57 - 49 minutes - 45 MBThe Mindful Living Guy, Stephen Downey, is a public speaker and founder of Our Mindful Moments. A Facebook page that promotes Mindfulness and Positive Mental Health. There is a combination of Positive Mindset and Mindful Living Techniques to help celebrate everything good in life. Stephen's TEDx talk, "The Value of a Moment" was recorded in September this year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXKYNDYq_co Stephen and I cover mindfulness, recognising the signs of burnout, how to incorporate...
4: Joe Dalton on Collective Consciousness
September 27, 2019 18:53 - 51 minutes - 46.8 MBI talk to Joe about what collective consciousness is and how to achieve it in the workplace, toxic people and what to do with them, values and the importance of kindness. Joe Dalton is the Founder of Breakthrough Brands. Joe empowers leaders and entrepreneurs to rise above the confusion and uncertainty, so they may achieve their true potential in their unique way. His career spans over 28 years and is very privileged to have worked with many dedicated and talented people across the globe. Joe...
3: Going Alcohol Free with Andy Ramage (One Year No Beer)
September 13, 2019 07:02 - 36 minutes - 33.4 MBAndy Ramage is the co-founder of OneYearNoBeer, he is also an author, entrepreneur and behavioural change expert. Andy is a former professional athlete, who after injury cut short his career he went on to create two multimillion-dollar city brokerages. After achieving traditional “success” Andy was left unfit, unhealthy, overweight, stressed and unhappy. He believed there had to be another way to win big in the city while staying super fit, healthy, maintaining a happy home life and doing ...
2: Andrea Mara on Balance
September 06, 2019 18:42 - 35 minutes - 32.8 MBAndrea Mara is an author and blogger who lives in Dublin with her husband and three young children. She attempts – often badly - to balance work, family, and writing, then lets off steam on her blog, OfficeMum.ie. For 17 years, Andrea worked in Financial Services and it was when she returned to work after her third maternity leave that she started blogging – focusing on the challenges she faced while trying to balance work and home. Two years later, redundancy gave her the opportunity to tur...
1: Furkan Karayel on Diversity & Inclusion
August 30, 2019 14:45 - 34 minutes - 31.8 MBIn the first episode, I speak to Furkan Karayel of DiverseIn (www.diversein.com) all about Diversity & Inclusion in the workplace, and what drives a happier workplace. Furkan shares some practical tips for setting up or improving a D&I program and talks about what brings her joy in the workplace.
Podcast -trailer
July 24, 2019 10:02 - 1 minute - 1.87 MBThe Happier at Work podcast is for anyone who… you guessed it, wants to be happier at work. Happier workers are more productive and have better mental wellbeing. This podcast is for CEOs, HR professionals, entrepreneurs, as well as employees. Anyone who wants to put their people first. Through interviews and solocasting, I will be covering a wide range of topics such as: purpose, dealing with conflicts at work, culture, leadership, workplace wellness schemes, engagement, bullying. What does ...