The Happy at Work Podcast

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In this episode, Tessa and Michael sat down with Jim Fielding - author of the best-selling book ‘All Pride, No Ego: An Executive’s Guide to Living Authentically’. Jim shared the 10 leadership lessons covered in his book and how he led globally recognized brands over his career while staying true to himself and his values.
He also discussed the challenges of being an authentic leader in multigenerational workplaces and how to lead distributed teams in remote and hybrid work environments effectively.
During the episode, Jim emphasized the importance of active listening and asking probing questions to understand employees from diverse backgrounds better. Tessa, Michael, and Jim also touched on Employee Resource Groups, authentic employee support, flexibility at work, and redefining growth.
Whether you're a seasoned executive or just starting out in your career, this episode is packed with valuable insights and advice to help you lead authentically and positively impact your team and organization.
You can purchase Jim's book, All Pride, No Ego: A Queer Executive's Journey to Living and Leading Authentically, at the following online retailers:

• ShopQueer.co
• Porchlight Books
• Amazon

To stay connected and continue the conversation, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.
And don't forget to check out our previous episodes for more tips and strategies to boost your workplace happiness. You can find them on your favorite podcast platform or on our website.
If you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions for future episodes, please reach out to us. We'd love to hear from you!
Stay inspired, stay motivated, and stay happy at work!

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Summary of Episode
In this conversation, Dr. Tracy Brower discusses the critical factors that contribute to happiness and engagement in the workplace. She emphasizes the importance of workplace environment, connection, and the balance between work and life. Dr. Brower outlines the 'Big Five' factors that influence happiness at work, including purpose, connection, learning, performance, and gratitude. The discussion also touches on the evolving nature of work, particularly in the context of hybrid and remote work, and the significance of authentic connections among colleagues.
Key Takeaways

• A greater sense of purpose is highly correlated with happiness.
• Connection is essential for both introverts and extroverts.
• Work can be joyful despite common narratives of it being a grind.
• Happiness at work ebbs and flows; it's not constant.
• Flexibility and choice in work arrangements enhance satisfaction.
• Authentic connections at work contribute to mental health.
• Work-life balance is a myth; integration is key.
• Organizational culture significantly impacts employee satisfaction.
• Learning and development opportunities are crucial for engagement.
• Creating supportive environments is essential for employee well-being.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Dr. Tracy Brower
02:39 The Overlooked Factors of Happiness at Work
05:05 Work-Life Balance vs. Work-Life Integration
06:53 The Evolution of Happiness in Hybrid Work
11:01 The Importance of Connection in the Workplace
12:15 Flexibility and Its Role in Job Satisfaction
13:30 Creating a Happy Workplace Environment
15:40 The Big Five for Workplace Happiness
18:52 Innovative Practices in Organizations
21:34 The Importance of Authentic Connections
24:31 Future Collaborations and Cultural Insights
25:57 Outro---Final.wav

To stay connected and continue the conversation, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.
And don't forget to check out our previous episodes for more tips and strategies to boost your workplace happiness. You can find them on your favorite podcast platform or on our website.
If you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions for future episodes, please reach out to us. We'd love to hear from you!
Stay inspired, stay motivated, and stay happy at work!

Send us a text

In this special edition of Happy at Work, Laura, Tess, and Michael reflect on their learnings from 2023.
They discuss the enriching experiences of the podcast, the importance of meaningful conversations, and the challenges of maintaining connection in the remote work era. Additionally, they touch on the impact of rushing versus savoring moments and the significance of psychological safety in the workplace.
Their conversation explores personal growth, individual goals, and the evolving landscape of work culture.
Cheers to 2024!

To stay connected and continue the conversation, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.
And don't forget to check out our previous episodes for more tips and strategies to boost your workplace happiness. You can find them on your favorite podcast platform or on our website.
If you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions for future episodes, please reach out to us. We'd love to hear from you!
Stay inspired, stay motivated, and stay happy at work!

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In this episode, Michael and Laura learn from Dr. Fiona Crichton, who shares her fascinating career journey and insights into improving individual and organizational well-being.
Fiona began her career as a litigator in Auckland, New Zealand, in the 1990s. While she enjoyed the work, the legal field at that time lacked a focus on work-life balance. Fiona stepped away from litigation to spend more time with her young children. In her new role, she began reading reports on criminal cases and was impacted by the traumatic content. This experience made her realize how one's work can deeply affect their well-being.
Fiona went on to study health psychology, which focuses on resilience and motivating healthy behaviors despite complex personal factors. Fiona gained a deep understanding of human motivation and behavior through this work.
Currently, Fiona helps leaders and individuals create personalized well-being plans by identifying values, strengths, and interests. When integrated into team meetings, this modeling of healthy behaviors can increase psychological safety and foster authentic connections. Fiona's insights provide practical guidance for cultivating well-being at both the individual and organizational levels.

To stay connected and continue the conversation, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.
And don't forget to check out our previous episodes for more tips and strategies to boost your workplace happiness. You can find them on your favorite podcast platform or on our website.
If you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions for future episodes, please reach out to us. We'd love to hear from you!
Stay inspired, stay motivated, and stay happy at work!

Send us a text

In this episode, Michael and Tessa spoke with Andrea Kehoe, Director of Operations Administration at Kettering University.
Andrea shifted from being a stay-at-home mom into a corporate role with Kettering University in Michigan nearly 7 years ago. She’s moved through a few different roles since 2017 and was supported by mentors and managers who encouraged her to try out new functional areas until she landed in an operations position focused on employee engagement and fulfillment.
In her role, she leads a working group aimed to address internal culture issues, and Andrea acts as a communications lynchpin between university leadership and administrative staff.

In order to figure out where to start, Andrea and her team launched a one-question survey, and the results mirrored national trends about workplace attitudes and well-being.
Andrea’s concrete suggestion for moving through cultural issues at work? Start by bringing people together.

To stay connected and continue the conversation, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.
And don't forget to check out our previous episodes for more tips and strategies to boost your workplace happiness. You can find them on your favorite podcast platform or on our website.
If you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions for future episodes, please reach out to us. We'd love to hear from you!
Stay inspired, stay motivated, and stay happy at work!