Happier at Work is a workplace psychology podcast for commercial leaders who want to drive performance, engagement, and retention through better leadership and culture.
Hosted by workplace culture strategist Aoife O’Brien, the podcast explores what really shapes the modern work experience, from leadership and career growth to confidence, workplace culture, and employee engagement.
Each episode blends expert insight, psychological research, practical strategies, and honest conversations to help leaders and professionals create environments where people feel valued, supported, and motivated to do their best work.
Guests include leading psychologists, bestselling authors, and experienced professionals who are putting these ideas into practice inside real organisations.
If you care about building high-performing teams, stronger cultures, and workplaces people want to stay in, this podcast is for you.
🎧 Subscribe and start building a happier way to work.
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223: Imposter Syndrome: The Invisible Barrier to Workplace Success
Friday, September 13, 2024 • Duration 12:57
In this week's solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I delve into a topic that is close to my heart - imposter syndrome. This complex idea has been highly requested by you, the listener, and this episode will shed light on its impact in the workplace and beyond.
I revisit my renowned 3C framework, focusing particularly on the "career" pillar - emphasising the crucial role of confidence in professional growth. I share valuable insights on the "know, show, grow" approach and how confidence plays a pivotal role within it.
The episode unveils the 5 different imposter identities: the overachiever, the comparer, the success-fearer, the procrastinator, and the people pleaser. I discuss each type in detail, offering relatable examples and potential impacts on individual performance and organisational productivity.
Take the assessment: https://imposteridentity.scoreapp.com
I also highlight the influence of imposter syndrome on teams and organisations, addressing the broader implications and the potential for burnout and decreased productivity. I encourage leaders to consider the impact on their teams and explore the associated leader assessment tool I talk about in the episode.
The main points throughout this podcast include:
The influence of imposter syndrome on teams and organisations.
Its impact in the workplace and beyond.
The crucial role of confidence in professional growth.
The "know, show, grow" approach and how confidence plays a pivotal role within it.
The 5 different imposter identities: the overachiever, the comparer, the success bearer, the procrastinator, and the people pleaser.
Take the assessment: https://imposteridentity.scoreapp.com
I will be dedicating another episode to the 3C's of thriving talent within the thriving talent framework - career, culture, and capabilities. So make sure to stay tuned for that!
Bonus Episode: How to Build Authentic Connections and Personal Branding
Monday, September 9, 2024 • Duration 11:27
This is a synopsis of the key points from my conversation with Alyssa Jaffer.
The main points throughout this podcast include:
What success actually means.
The importance of collecting data and using it to inform future actions in personal branding.
The significance of genuine, 1-on-1 connections and the value of serving others.
The power of mindset shifts and taking control of your self-worth and achievements.
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!
217: How Can We Identify and Overcome Self-Sabotage Behaviours at Work?
Friday, August 2, 2024 • Duration 15:43
In this week's solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I delved into the various ways we tend to hinder our own success. I shared personal examples and insights on how we can identify and overcome these obstacles that hold us back in our careers.
I pointed out several mindsets and behaviors that can block our progress, such as playing the victim, fearing judgment or failure, people-pleasing, feeling superior, being on a power trip, adopting a scarcity mindset, falling into complacency, and embracing a martyr complex. These are hurdles we might not often recognise within ourselves, but it's important to bring awareness to these patterns.
One poignant example I shared was about encountering someone with a strong sense of entitlement. I explained how this individual expected special treatment and seemed to believe that others should cater to his needs without reciprocation. This powerful real-life example highlighted the negative impacts of entitlement on relationships and success.
I also emphasised the importance of humility and recommended the book "The Go-Giver," which illustrates the transformative power of focusing on helping others without expecting anything in return.
The main points throughout this podcast include:
The various ways we tend to hinder our own success.
How we can identify and overcome the obstacles that hold us back in our careers.
The negative impacts of entitlement on relationships and success.
The importance of humility.
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!
In our fast-paced world, success is often defined by external factors such as job titles, salaries, and material possessions. In this week's solo episode, your host Aoife O'Brien challenges this definition and encourages you to redefine success on your own terms.
Whilst exploring the concept of success, Aoife questions whether it is a never-ending pursuit and discusses the importance of recognising the hard work that goes into achieving success and not falling into the trap of believing in overnight success. Further key points throughout include:
- What does success mean to you?
- Is the road to success a never-ending journey?
- The importance of living in the present moment
- The benefits of working in alignment with your values
- The key to redefining success and the power of human connection
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!
"If you keep pursuing more and more and more, how do you know when you get there if you keep changing the goalposts for yourself." – Aoife O'Brien.
147: From Burnout to Bliss: Building a culture of well-being with Lesley Cooper
Friday, March 17, 2023 • Duration 01:00:52
Are you tired of feeling overwhelmed and stressed out at work? We know how tough that can be, and this week's guest Lesley Cooper is here to help you leap from burnout to bliss. Lesley is the proud owner of WorkingWell Limited, which helps businesses across the globe create engaged and energised cultures whilst supporting sustainable and healthy performance levels.
Get ready to discover how employee well-being and performance are increasingly intertwined within the modern workplace. Lesley shares fascinating insights on creating a psychologically safe culture and emphasises the importance of addressing work-related stress, recognising internal narratives, and prioritising physical and emotional well-being. Further key points throughout include:
- An introduction to Lesley Cooper
- The red flags of workplace toxicity and creeping irritabilities
- Minding your well-being: the pressure of busyness
- Psychological safety: are you bringing your authentic self to work?
- Stretch to Strain: Pressure VS Stress VS Growth
- Why you need to protect your mind, body and energy
- The importance of creating an environment of well-being
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!
"What happens when you put human beings under consistent pressure to achieve more with less and less is that they eventually check out emotionally. There's a defence mechanism in that because we like to win, we are mission-driven. You need a certain amount of success. You need to feel that you've made a contribution to feel that you've achieved something." – Lesley Cooper.
146: The secret to working smarter, not harder with Sanja Licina
Friday, March 10, 2023 • Duration 01:02:35
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.
145: Emotional salary: seeing beyond the paycheck with Marisa Elizundia
Friday, March 3, 2023 • Duration 50:48
Since the arrival of the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic, there is no doubt that the way we work is swiftly changing. Is money the key to unlocking happiness? Joining Aoife this week is special guest Marisa Elizundia. Marisa is a people development coach and creator of the Emotional Salary Barometer.
Through research-based insights, practical advice, and real-life examples, Marisa discusses taking personal responsibility for your work experience and reveals how you can become more empowered in your career. Get ready to unlock how you can become happier at work by maximising the non-financial benefits of your job. Further key points throughout include:
- An introduction to Marisa Elizundia
- Aside from money, why do people work?
- An overview of the Emotional Salary Barometer tool
- How leaders can impact your emotional salary
- The knowing-doing gap: what is holding you back?
- How empowered employees are influencing the future of work
- Why taking responsibility for your experience at work matters
- Are self-limiting beliefs blocking you from opportunities?
- What being happier at work means to Marisa
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!
" I always say that if you want to increase your emotional salary, start by increasing the emotional salary of others. Because once you do that, you're going to see firsthand the impact it has on others, and also the impact it has on you." – Marisa Elizundia.
Resources:
144: Honouring women making waves with Aoife O'Brien
Friday, February 24, 2023 • Duration 16:04
With International Women's Day fast approaching, today's episode honours and celebrates women at work and empowering women in the workplace. In this solo special, tune in to hear valuable insights that have been shared from three female experts who are making waves in their industries, Paula Sheridan, Niamh Hannan and Carla Miller. Learn how to stop being overlooked and underappreciated, take radical responsibility for your career, strengthen your influence, and much more! Further key points throughout include:
- Are you being underappreciated at work?
- The gift of feedback: Why you should seek out feedback in the workplace
- Recognising and celebrating your success
- Supporting women in work and tackling a broken system in an organisation
- Leadership traits and cultivating self-awareness
- Choosing collaboration over competition
- Get ready to put on your cloak of authority!
- Your personal brand: What are people saying about you?
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!
"There's a lot of this talk about supporting women to reach more senior positions and supporting women in leadership. But it's not a great idea to support women to leadership positions if they're in a situation where the system is broken, it's very male-dominated, and it's very patriarchal." – Aoife O'Brien.
Resources:
Episode 138: Stop being overlooked at work with Paula Sheridan
143: The insider-outsider strategy to success with Andrew Bartlow
Friday, February 17, 2023 • Duration 48:19
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
142: Shifting from a people-first to people-centric culture with Gustavo Razzetti
Friday, February 10, 2023 • Duration 01:01:41
Are you confident that your organisation follows a people-centric approach to its culture? If the answer is no, you must stop giving employees what they want and give them what they need. Here to guide you through the people-centric culture shift is speaker, author, founder, and culture consultant Gustavo Razzetti. Gustavo is the originator of Fearless Culture, an organisation that redesigns workplace culture that makes collaboration, agility, and innovation thrive at their peak.
Culture is about helping people do their best work. Throughout the discussion, Gustavo defines the root issues associated with poor culture, the approaches required to amend these problems, and the benefits of creating change. Gustavo also explores the gift of feedback, clears the smoke and mirrors of employees' expectations, and offers realistic and actionable advice for optimising organisational performance. Further key points include:
- An introduction to Gustavo Razzetti
- The Workplace culture conundrum: addressing the leadership gap
- Self-Awareness and fearlessness for culture transformation
- Embracing feedback as an opportunity for learning and growth
- Fixing Mode: How questions are the solution
- An insight into the blameless postmortem model and mistake policies
- Breaking the culture of fear and redefining the concept of hard work
- Working methods: Deep Work vs Shallow Work
- Virtual Presenteeism in this new working era
- How experimental leaders can influence the organisational culture
- What Being Happier at Work Means to Gustavo
"Questions are better than solutions, as they help people clarify what they're going through." - Gustavo Razzetti.
THE LISTENERS SAY:
Do you have any feedback or thoughts on this discussion? If so, please connect with Aoife via the links below and express your thoughts. Aoife would love to hear from you!
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