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Happier At Work®

Happier At Work®

Aoife O'Brien

1 Creator

1 Creator

Happier at Work® is the go-to podcast for client-facing leaders who want to create thriving workplaces where people and businesses succeed. Hosted by career and workplace culture strategist Aoife O’Brien, each episode explores the psychology of work, tackling the biggest challenges and opportunities shaping today’s workplace—from leadership and career growth to workplace culture, imposter syndrome, and employee engagement. Blending expert insights, psychological research, real-world stories, and actionable strategies, Happier at Work® helps you build a career and workplace where people feel valued, supported, and inspired. Guests include leading psychologists, bestselling authors, and professionals like you who are putting these ideas into practice. Whether you’re a leader looking to create a high-performing team or an ambitious professional navigating career growth, this podcast gives you the tools to drive real change. 🎧 Subscribe now and join the movement!
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Top 10 Happier At Work® Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Happier At Work® episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Happier At Work® for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Happier At Work® episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

There are many broken pieces within the working world, and this week’s episode delves into tackling systemic bias in the workplace and empowering the feminine. Joining Aoife is special guest, speaker, coach and charted psychologist Niamh Hannan, who helps women in leadership excel by rocketing their growth, well-being and success.

So much ground gets covered in this discussion, including how we can bring humanity into the workplace, the tools for self-management and developing self-awareness, and the value of feminine leadership. Niamh also explores the opportunities that can arise from a crisis, touching on the learnings from the Covid 19 pandemic and reminding us that we all have a choice as we navigate this transitionary period into the new working era. Further key points throughout include:

An introduction to Niamh Hannan

The difference between counselling and coaching

How do we help women in leadership

Undervalued qualities women bring to work

Steering clear of a fear-based workplace

Bad news sells: the media hold of fearmongering

Opportunities in crisis and learnings from the Covid-19 pandemic

Handling post-pandemic workplace demands

The need for psychological safety in the workplace

Welcoming consciousness into the workplace

Why you should focus on collaboration over competition

The importance of nurturing the workforce of the future

A reminder that you always have a choice!

What being Happier at Work means to Niamh

Leaving a legacy of positive impact

“I’m still not seeing leaders being promoted for their empathy and people skills. And yet, that’s a huge part of building the workforce of the future. So on the one hand, we have the science, but on the other, it’s not being applied.” – Niamh Hannan.

THE LISTENERS SAY:

Do you have any feedback or thoughts on this discussion? If so, please connect with Aoife via the links below and let her know. Aoife would love to hear from you!

Resources:

Join Niamh Hannan’s Legacy and Core Connection programs:

https://niamhhannan.com/programs/

Connect with Niamh Hannan:

https://niamhhannan.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/niamhhannan/

Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O’Brien:

https://www.happieratwork.ie

https://www.impostersyndrome.ie

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien

https://www.twitter.com/HappierAtWorkHQ

https://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.ie

https://www.facebook.com/groups/happieratworkpodcast

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Are you feeling uninspired or disconnected in your role? HR leadership coach Andrew Bartlow is here to share his wealth of knowledge gained over the past 25 years to help you maximise your work impact, smash your targets and become a more strategic leader.

Not working in HR? Fear not, this episode is packed with nuggets that can be applied to any level of profession. Throughout, Andrew delves into the unique position HR professionals often find themselves in, offers valuable time management hacks, and shares steps you can implement to shift your mindset, make your mark, and create a happier working environment for all. Further key points throughout include:

An introduction to Andrew Bartlow

How human resources professionals are insider-outsiders

An insight into human resource management challenges

The secret to developing a strategic thinking mindset

Recruitment strategies for hiring the right talent

The impact of disconnected goals in the workplace

Waterfall planning: the importance of recruitment, retention and productivity

The key to becoming a valued team member

What being Happier at Work means to Andrew

"You can be as successful as you choose to be if you are willing to allow yourself to adapt and shape over time. Being strategic is a choice." – Andrew Bartlow.

THE LISTENERS SAY:

Do you have any feedback or thoughts on this discussion? If so, please connect with Aoife via the links below and let her know. Aoife would love to hear from you!

Resources:

Book: Scaling for Success by Andrew Bartlow and T. Brad Harris

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Scaling-Success-Priorities-High-Growth-Organizations/dp/0231194447

Access your FREE People Leader Accelerator guides today:

https://www.peopleleaderaccelerator.com/guides

Use the code Podcast to access one of the guides for FREE

Connect with Andrew Bartlow:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bartlow/

https://www.seriesbconsulting.com

https://speakonpodcasts.com/andrew-bartlow/

https://www.peopleleaderaccelerator.com

Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O'Brien:

https://www.happieratwork.ie

https://www.impostersyndrome.ie

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien

https://www.twitter.com/HappierAtWorkHQ

https://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.ie

https://www.facebook.com/groups/happieratworkpodcast

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Do you ever feel like work is overwhelming, and you're unsure what to do next? Fear not, as Sanja Lacina, Organisational psychologist, and President of QuestionPro Workforce, is here to help!

Learn about Sanja's journey from Serbia to success, the importance of identifying the best way to fit work into your life and filling your own cup first. Sanja shares the secret to working smarter, not harder and how to prioritise self-care and relationships and also reveals the magic that can happen when you create a supportive and inclusive environment for employees. So, if you are looking for an extra boost of motivation to help take your career or organisation to the next level, this episode is for you. Further key points include:

An introduction to Sanja Licina

Achieving personal and professional ambitions

Embracing humanity within the workplace

The key to authenticity and emotional support in business

Identifying your needs and speaking up at work

What is your definition of success?

Communication in the workplace: The importance of continuous listening

The attraction of inclusive cultures: Are you masking your true self at work?

The future of work and 'empathy at scale.'

What being happier at work means to Sanja

THE LISTENERS SAY:

Do you have any feedback or thoughts on this discussion? If so, please connect with Aoife via the links below and let her know. Aoife would love to hear from you!

"Part of my mission in life is to make others happy. But how can you help make others happy If you're not? I think it's possible, but it's really, really difficult." – Sanja Licina.

Resources:

Listen back: Unlocking True Happiness at work with Aoife O'Brien

https://happieratwork.ie/79-unlocking-true-happiness-at-work-with-aoife-obrien/

Connect with Sanja Licina:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjalicina

Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O'Brien:

https://www.happieratwork.ie

https://www.impostersyndrome.ie

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien

https://www.twitter.com/HappierAtWorkHQ

https://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.ie

https://www.facebook.com/groups/happieratworkpodcast

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How can you maximise employee engagement by leveraging feedback loops?

In this episode, we had the pleasure of hosting the brilliant Matt R. Vance, an expert in employee feedback and online reviews. Matt shared some invaluable tips and strategies on how to harness the power of employee feedback to create a happier and more productive workplace. One of the standout ideas he emphasised was the importance of having strong internal feedback mechanisms in place. By addressing employee concerns privately, we can prevent unnecessary drama and protect both the employee and the company's reputation.

On the note of feedback, Matt shed light on his expertise in managing online reviews. He shared his unique techniques and strategies in optimising both customer and employee feedback to enhance business outcomes. By actively engaging with user-generated content, businesses can showcase their care for customers, job seekers, and employees alike.

Furthermore, Matt introduced us to his software, Mobrium, which streamlines the employer review cycle and offers a free service of conducting an employer reputation audit. This tool is a game-changer for businesses looking to improve their online reputation and strengthen their company culture.

Lastly, Matt left us with a reminder to proactively ask for feedback and not rely solely on the hope of positive experiences generating goodwill. By making it easier for individuals to share their feedback and lowering barriers to participation, we can create a more accurate and representative sample of employee experiences. After all, their voices matter!

The main points throughout this podcast include:

  • the importance of promptly responding and taking every suggestion seriously
  • The difference between internal and external/ public feedback
  • the importance of having strong internal feedback mechanisms in place
  • the employer review cycle
  • proactively ask for feedback

Connect with Matt

Website https://www.thecultureprofit.com/

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattrvance/

Twitter https://twitter.com/MattRVance

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@thecultureprofit

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@TheCultureProfit

Do you have any feedback or thoughts on this discussion? If so, please connect with Aoife via the links below and let her know. Aoife would love to hear from you!

Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O’Brien:

Website: https://happieratwork.ie

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HappierAtWorkHQ

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.ie/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/happieratwork.ie

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappierAtWorkHQ

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How can you effectively manage your time at work to enhance productivity and creativity?

In the latest episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I had the pleasure to be joined by Lisa Bodell, an author and pioneer in workplace simplification. Lisa shares strategies on transforming time management into a tool for empowerment, simplifying work processes, and focusing on outputs rather than just time spent. From the concept of "kill a stupid rule" to redefining work-life balance, Lisa offers actionable insights to avoid burnout and foster a more fulfilling work environment.

Discover how time management transcends managing emails and calendars. Lisa's emphasis on "deep work," time-boxing, and removing unnecessary meetings provides a pathway to not only increase productivity but also amplify creativity and innovation. Tune into our conversation to explore how purposeful simplification can lead to a happier, more engaged workforce.

The main points include:

  • Empowering time management strategies, including time-boxing and dedicated deep work periods.
  • Distinguishing between being protective of time and appearing selfish.
  • The significance of simplifying work to enhance creativity and innovation.
  • Addressing burnout by simplifying routines and eliminating redundant tasks.
  • Using tools like "yes if" for workload negotiation and "kill a stupid rule" to remove unnecessary practices.
  • The importance of aligning work with personal meaning and purpose.
  • Shifting from a "more is better" mindset to valuing purposeful simplicity.

This episode covers: time management strategies, simplifying work processes, burnout, work-life balance, output over hours, deep work, purpose and fulfillment, time-boxing, meeting-free days, complexity trap, kill a stupid rule, clock versus compass, Futurethink, Lisa Bodell

Connect with Lisa

LinkedIn

Website

Twitter

Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O’Brien:

Website

LinkedIn

YouTube

Previous Episodes:

Episode 70: The Future of Hybrid Remote Working with Jennifer Dowling

Episode 82: Creating a Better Workday with Niamh Brady

Episode 128: Boost Productivity by Removing Timewasters with Jennifer Smith

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Have you recently checked in on your goals and intentions? Is 2023 the year you make a career move or leap to escape workplace toxicity? If so, this episode is a must-listen for you! This week, Aoife's solo episode is coming to you live from sunny Tenerife, focusing on the issue of toxic workplaces and the practical steps you can take to improve your working situation.

Aoife delves into the task of maintaining a happier working environment, shares tips for dealing with frustrations at work, and unpacks the importance of aligning your core values with your chosen workplace. Aoife also reminds us that if you're feeling stuck at work, you have options and that leaving is okay. Further key points throughout include:

How to eliminate toxic work behaviour

What does a toxic work environment look like?

The traits of a toxic boss

How to handle micromanagement and break the expectations of overworking

The impact of toxic colleagues in the workplace

A reminder: It's okay to quit your job!

Take back your power and boost your confidence

Making time to focus on what you want

Aligning your core values with your needs and strengths

"People are ten times more likely to resign from an organisation if they find themselves in a toxic environment, compared to their likelihood of resigning due to pay-related matters." – Aoife O'Brien.

THE LISTENERS SAY:

Do you have any feedback or thoughts on this discussion? If so, please connect with Aoife via the links below and let her know. Aoife would love to hear from you!

Resources:

Listen back to previous Happier at Work episodes:

https://happieratwork.ie/101-the-squiggly-road-to-happier-at-work-with-aoife-obrien-cathal-quinlan/

https://happieratwork.ie/happier-at-work-49-aoife-mollin-on-fitting-in-at-work/

Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O'Brien:

https://www.happieratwork.ie

https://www.impostersyndrome.ie

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien

https://www.twitter.com/HappierAtWorkHQ

https://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.ie

https://www.facebook.com/groups/happieratworkpodcast

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1 Listener

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In this latest solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I delve deep into the challenges of career management and development. Drawing from personal experiences and professional insights, I discuss everything from feeling bored and unchallenged to dealing with toxic bosses and mismatches in your career.

If you're seeking ways to overcome career stagnation and engage more passionately with your work, this episode is definitely for you.

I talk about personal stories and practical strategies to help you identify the root causes of career stagnation and suggest steps you can take to reignite your career momentum. With a focus on understanding your own values, strengths, and goals, this episode is a timely guide for anyone considering a career refresh as the new year approaches.

The main points:

  • Understanding the feelings and signs of being stuck in your career.
  • Strategies for reassessing your values, skills, and alignment with your role.
  • Exploring options for pivoting within or outside your current organisation.
  • The importance of investing in yourself through skills development, coaching, or mentorship.
  • Building a supportive network to discover new opportunities and gain insights.
  • Taking small, low-risk steps to build confidence and momentum.
  • Creating an actionable career plan to set clear goals and commit to your professional journey.

Do you have any feedback or thoughts on this discussion? If so, please connect with Aoife via the links below and let her know. Aoife would love to hear from you!

Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O’Brien:

Website

LinkedIn

YouTube

Previous Episodes:

Episode 82: Creating a Better Workday with Niamh Brady

Episode 234: From Overwhelm to Intentional Fulfilment with Cherylanne Skolnicki

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Happier At Work® - 14: Emiliana Simon-Thomas on Happiness at Work
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12/13/19 • 63 min

Emiliana 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 Science Director at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center. Trained in neuroscience and social psychology, she runs the student research fellowship program, directs key science initiatives, and teaches the The Science of Happiness, a massive open online course on the edX platform that has enrolled over 600,000 people worldwide. She also teaches the Science of Happiness at Work Professional Certificate Series on edX, and serves as an expert voice on the biology and psychology of well-being around the world. Her work highlights the critical role that pro-social experiences and behaviors play in happiness, and addresses research-backed approaches to improving happiness - like practicing mindfulness, or strengthening habits of compassion, gratitude, and generosity. Overall, Emiliana's work leverages scientific insights to help people live better lives individually, in relationship with others, within organizations and communities, and society-wide.

https://ggsc.berkeley.edu

https://ggsc.berkeley.edu/who_we_serve/researchers/uc_berkeley_student_fellowships

https://www.edx.org/course/the-science-of-happiness-3

https://www.edx.org/professional-certificate/berkeleyx-science-of-happiness-at-work

Dublin Goal setting tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/goal-setting-workshop-kick-start-2020-with-a-mindset-for-success-tickets-83313644353

Galway Goal setting tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/goal-setting-workshop-to-kick-start-2020-tickets-84865255263

My website: www.empowermentcoaching.ie

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Happier At Work® - 92: Unlocking fulfilment at work with Bev Attfield
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02/11/22 • 58 min

"As an organisation, you've got to make a decision, that your tone, your character, your commitment, comes out in all sorts of different ways, not just in the behaviours of leaders." – Bev Attfield. Joining Aoife this week is special guest Bev Attfield. Bev had the wonderful title of 'Principle of Workplace Science' at Jostle and hosted the People at Work podcast. Since the time of recording, Bev has become a Partner at Within People. Specialising in the human experience at work, Bev is a wealth of knowledge and shares many valuable tips and insights on how organisations can maintain employee satisfaction by creating an environment of psychological safety and a thriving workplace culture. Throughout the discussion, Bev reflects on how businesses have had to adapt to a startling new reality due to the Covid-19 pandemic and delves into the new realm of communicating and working remotely. Bev highlights the importance of keeping in line with organisational values and reveals the key to unlocking fulfilment at work. Key points covered throughout include: - An introduction to Bev Attfield. - What are the emotional drivers of an employee? - The great re-prioritisation. - Adapting to change and finding happiness at work. - The impact of Covid-19 on businesses. - Workplace active listening: the time for understanding and change is now. - Women in the workplace. - How to support workplace equality. - Creating and maintaining a living workplace culture. - An insight into Jostle. - Maintaining human connection in a remote world. - The importance of psychological safety at work. - Why employee communication is vital. - What is the difference between asynchronous and synchronous communication? - The concept of working out loud. - Managing flexibility at work. - What makes Bev Happier at Work. LISTEN BACK: You can listen back to Bev and Aoife's "Changing perspective to be happier at work" discussion from the People at Work podcast here: https://blog.jostle.me/blog/people-at-work/aoifeobrien Connect with Bev Attfield: I believe people are happiest at work when they’re supported in their life and work. When they’re surrounded by kindness and feel encouraged to explore, create, and belong at work. That’s why my mission is to evolve leader thinking and organizational structures to produce incredible experiences and supportive environments for humans in the workplace. A once-in-century opportunity to reimagine work is here, now. I’m privileged to have a hand in shaping what this looks and feels like, for the good of all at work. My effort at Within helps me achieve my own ideal state of work-life, while discovering new people-centric ways forward with each of my clients. Within People is a global partnership of business strategists and coaches who are building a new model for growth in the 21st century. We believe it’s one where people are the most important asset, so unleashing their full potential is what unlocks growth. The Within Way® is how we help our clients grow - and how we grow our own partnership. We are what we do, and our structure and business model is a reflection of the vision we have for 21st century business. That's why I'm so excited to apply my knowledge and passion to this collective of strategic thinkers and doers. I'm a regular writer on workplace matters and have hosted over 100 leader conversations as host of the People at Work podcast. https://www.linkedin.com/in/bevattfield/ Jostle's Blog: https://blog.jostle.me/blog People at Work Podcast: https://intranet.jostle.me/people-at-work Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O'Brien: https://www.happieratwork.ie https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien https://www.twitter.com/HappierAtWorkHQ https://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.ie https://www.facebook.com/groups/happieratworkpodcast
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Happier At Work® - 30: Special Episode! Leadership Series Roundup
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05/01/20 • 22 min

This 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 fashion. Fiona English - meaning and purpose - how we make sense of our lives and our work, constantly seeking to answer the question "why". In a work context, this starts with leadership, by being self-aware and living the purpose. Be human at work. Underpinned by coherence (the sense we make of something), direction (the vision or purpose), and significance (the importance we attribute). Stephen Naughton - inspire trust, clarify purpose, align systems, unleash the talent. The importance of connection, especially face to face. Providing feedback. Being a servant leader. Tim Kidd - putting people first - when you put your people first, the business grows, and on the back of that, clients' businesses grow too. It's important that there is a sense of enjoyment at work, that people can make a difference in what they do, showing gratitude, being human at work (in the sense of individualisation - treat each person as an individual rather than a collective). Leadership = clarity, concise, consistent. Trust is very important, as is autonomy (flexibility gives a sense of autonomy). Having a high level of self-awareness, and face to face connection. Asumpta Gallagher - Influence, vision, passion - looking at leadership in a different context, but the same things still apply. Ask for help, start with why. Timen Baart - Trust - Fairness, competence, identification, reciprocity, transparency. The difference and importance of trust in the organisation as well as trust in employees. Saskia Kremer - Personal Leadership - importance of proactivity vs reactivity, having a clear vision, taking time to evaluate/ reflect, celebrate and show gratitude. Jonny Cooper - Teamwork - leader-leader approach, using coaching to empower others, the sacrifice is worth it, purpose/ clarity, matching strengths, openness to feedback, self-awareness, seek to challenge your own thinking, stay consistent. Aoife Lenox - Introverts - it falls on a spectrum. Types of introverts (STAR) social, thinking, anxious, reserved. Quiet leadership. Play to your strengths. Roundup - what makes an effective leader? Clear vision & purpose, strong communication, putting people first/ putting the human back into the workplace, connection, feedback (open to giving and receiving), self-awareness, gratitude, trust/ trustworthiness, clarity & transparency, proactive, working to your strengths.
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FAQ

How many episodes does Happier At Work® have?

Happier At Work® currently has 303 episodes available.

What topics does Happier At Work® cover?

The podcast is about Management, Podcasts, Business and Careers.

What is the most popular episode on Happier At Work®?

The episode title '139: The broken pieces of the workplace with Niamh Hannan' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Happier At Work®?

The average episode length on Happier At Work® is 37 minutes.

How often are episodes of Happier At Work® released?

Episodes of Happier At Work® are typically released every 7 days.

When was the first episode of Happier At Work®?

The first episode of Happier At Work® was released on Jul 24, 2019.

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