Happier At Work

"Corporate culture matters. How management chooses to treat its people impacts everything for better or for worse." – Simon Sinek. Welcome back to Happier at Work! Did you know that today marks Workplace Wellbeing Day? To celebrate, Aoife will be dedicating this solo episode to releasing the top-line results from a survey she carried out last year amidst the global pandemic focusing on well-being at work. If you wish to gain access to the full survey findings, don't hesitate to get in touch with Aoife directly via her website - https://happieratwork.ie/contactIn today's episode, Aoife will discuss why it's time to prioritise well-being at work, the business impacts of Covid-19 and unpacks the challenges the pandemic brought to the surface for businesses and remote workers across the globe. Aoife kicks off the discussion by revealing startling statistics on mental health in the workplace and explores employee concerns about the future of work. Key points throughout include: - Workplace challenges during COVID-

‘’You can never please everybody, but you can listen to everybody. And you can say, I hear you, and this is what we can do.’’ – Sarah Courtney. Welcome back to Happier at Work, you asked for it, and Aoife listened! Listeners have requested today’s topic of re-entering the working world, which Aoife has been excited to cover for some time now. This jam-packed episode features special guest Sarah Courtney from Sarah Courtney Coaching. Sarah is a mum first, a coach second and a champion of supporting parents who wish to work in an inclusive, family-friendly workforce. Much ground gets covered within this episode as Sarah and Aoife discuss returning to work after a leave of absence and unpack how businesses can support their staff through times of massive transition, not just for mothers and fathers but for anyone who has taken a substantial career break. The main points throughout the episode include: - An introduction to Sarah Courtney. - Transitioning back into the workplace. - Feeding the gender pay gap issue

This week's episode comes with a twist as the podcast interviewer becomes the interviewee to celebrate the milestone of reaching 100 episodes. Stepping in to host this unique episode is Irish born, Sydney based guest Cathal Quinlan. Cathal holds over 20 years of experience working in corporate and has recently become the proud owner of Better@Work – helping people transform their working experiences and boosting performance personally and within others. This week, listeners will get to absorb so much more about the founder of Happier at Work as we dive into Aoife's personal and professional journey, learn about the evolution of her purpose and find out what the future looks like for the business. Listeners, get ready to embark on the squiggly road trip to Happier at Work. Whilst on the hot seat, Aoife will explore many topics that haven't been discussed before and reveals a fascinating opportunity. The main points throughout the episode include:- Stepping into employment after college. - Working abroad: maki

Welcome to the 100th episode of Happier at Work! This week's episode is a highlight special dedicated to the array of wonderful past guests who have featured on the show since the podcast made its debut back in September 2019. To celebrate such an incredible milestone, your host Aoife O'Brien revisits a selection of episodes where we hear openly and honestly from inspiring HR and business leaders about what drives their happiness at work. Even though we hear from 15 unique individuals, no answers are the same as they range from the simple acts of welcoming music into your day, allowing for continued learning and much more. However, you will start to sense a common theme throughout and soon realise the recipe's key ingredient for truly being happier at work. So, get ready to stroll down memory lane as we revisit discussions with some of our favourite industry game-changers. Special guests in order of appearance are as follows: Episode 7 - Andrew BarnesEpisode 11 - Louise GossEpisode 14 – Emiliana SimonEpisode

“We spend so much of our time at work, when we’re not happy at work, that filters into other aspects of our lives.” – Aoife O’Brien. Welcome back to Happier at Work! To mark the 99th episode of the show, host Aoife O’Brien dedicates this solo discussion to the heartbeat and purpose of the podcast, finding happiness at work. Would you agree that people are the number one asset in any business!? Aoife’s mission is to help organisations identify the power of putting people first to create a happier working environment. Did you know that a happier environment enhances workplace productivity, performance and helps attract and retain top talent? In this episode, Aoife explores the benefits of establishing a healthy work-life balance from an individual and organisational perspective. Aoife also takes us on her journey of establishing happiness at work, sharing her personal experience of losing a sense of autonomy at work and revealing when she feels most fulfilled. Key points throughout the episode include: - Why

“It’s very easy to say we’re offering flexible working but actually what are you changing within how you run your business, how you engage with your staff, how you manage your staff, how you promote your staff, all of those things have to be factored in.” – Niamh O’Brien. Welcome back to Happier at Work! This podcast is for leaders who put people first and care about engagement and belonging, performance and productivity, leadership, equity and the future of work. Today’s episode is an O’Brien double as joining your host is special guest Niamh O’Brien. Niamh is a director of BDO Talent management at BDO Ireland and holds over twenty years of experience working across recruitment, people solutions, talent management and talent acquisition. Niamh is passionate and driven about employee experience, diversity, and inclusion at work. In this episode, Niamh unpacks how people are the heart of the business and explains why people are always at the forefront of everything she does. Niamh also reveals why companies sh

"Employees are looking to work in organisations that have a clearly defined purpose, and whose purpose really aligns with what it is that they want to do themselves as well." – Aoife O'Brien. Welcome back to Happier at Work! Over the last couple of years, we have all experienced a tremendous amount of change in our lives from experiencing challenging lockdowns, movement restrictions, a lack of human connection and, of course, a complete overhaul in how we operate at work. Home dining tables and spare box rooms unexpectedly became our new working environments, transforming cosy nests into new makeshift office spaces. In today's solo episode, Aoife revisits the topic of finding your work purpose to discuss developments that have occurred since the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic. Aoife explores how workers are redefining their purposes, looking inward to explore their true professional needs and wants, and how they wish to spend their time. Aoife also discusses the link between employee disengagement and the g

“I think energy is such an important thing. When you walk in as a leader, if you’re coming into the workplace, keeping an eye on your energy, and what you’re actually presenting in the business is really important.” – Gillian French.Welcome back to Happier at Work! Following two traumatic and life adjusting years facing a global pandemic, major operational shifts are undergoing within organisations and workplaces across the globe. This week on the podcast, Aoife is delighted to be joined by special guest Gillian French. Gillian holds the brilliant title of Expert in Residence with Workvivo. Employee experience, HR and putting people first rather than profit is Gillian’s driver, and on this episode, Aoife and Gillian explore that and a whole lot more!Gillian is passionate about helping organisations create wonderful sustainable cultures which support workers to flourish, work to their strengths and allow them to show up every day as their true selves. In this jam-packed discussion, Aoife and Gillian explore be

"I'm not driven by money, but I'm driven by fairness, and if I feel that something is not fair, or that I don't understand why it's happening, then I think that's something that really bothers me and makes me unhappy at work." – Aoife O'Brien.Welcome back to Happier at Work! In this week's solo episode, Aoife chats finance by sparking a conversation focused on pay scales and fairness at work. How do you feel about pay right now? Is your salary always at the forefront of your mind? For many, workplace salary discussions can be an uncomfortable taboo topic to bring to the table, and it's a topic that hasn't been unravelled on this podcast before until now. In this episode, Aoife differentiates between the gender pay gap and equal pay, shares her personal experiences of reviews and pay-related discussions, explores if pay transparency is the future and highlights the importance of fairness and knowing your worth. Key points throughout the discussion include; - The hygiene factor of pay. - Gender pay gap VS equa

Welcome back to Happier at Work! Buckle yourself in for a mind-blowing listen as joining Aoife this week for a very unique discussion is special guest Katrijn van Oudheusden. Katrijn is a consultant and selfless leadership coach with over twenty years of experience in organisational development. Katrijn is passionate about creating a better workplace for all through authentic and non-dual practices. In this episode, Katrijn explains the meaning of selfless leadership and highlights the transformative effects of tackling the roots of our self-beliefs to shrink our ego and unlock our true selves. Key points covered throughout include: - An introduction to Katrijn van Oudheusden. - An insight into organisational pitfalls – ego, posturing and power. - The impact of leadership ego on employees. - Culture fit and belonging in the workplace. - What is servant leadership?- An exploration of identity formation and self-beliefs.- The key to unlearning. - The four insights of selfless leadership.- The human being connec

Bienvenido de nuevo a Happier at Work - Welcome back to Happier at Work! Aoife dedicates this week’s solo episode to her experience of kickstarting 2022 with a sense of adventure by working remotely in Spain’s largest Canary Island, Tenerife. When posting online about working from abroad, Aoife was flooded with questions from fascinated followers, and with that has decided to share her travelling tale. In this episode, Aoife unpacks her experience of travelling and working remotely, shares insights on the importance of discipline and routine, and reveals what she would do differently next time around. Main points throughout include: - Finding suitable accommodation for your needs. - What is remote working and is it for everyone? - Discipline and commitment: The keys to working remotely. - The importance of creating an effective work routine. - Remote and flexible working guidelines. - Work time management: setting goals and prioritising tasks. - The pitfalls of remote working. - Managing work pr

"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

‘’You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.’’ – John C. Maxwell. Welcome back to Happier at Work! This week’s solo episode continues as we dive into part two of ‘’The secret to creating routines to reach your goals’’ with your host Aoife O’Brien. If you missed part one of this session, fear not, as you can catch up on playback HERE. This week, Aoife discusses goal setting and habit formation and explores what are limiting beliefs and how we can overcome them. Aoife also weighs up the importance of focusing on commitment rather than waiting for moments of motivation to arrive. Essential points covered throughout this episode include: - Acknowledging and overcoming disruptive goal blockers. - How to stay in your own lane. - Why it is important to listen to your body. - Making time for self-reflection. - Overcoming imposter syndrome and tackling limiting beliefs. - How commitment is vital for goal achievement. - Th

Aoife's Master acquaintance Chris Flack joins us on the podcast. Born in the UK and currently based in Dublin, Chris carries over fifteen years of experience specialising in tech and organisational behaviour consulting and is the proud co-founder of UnPlug. The mission of UnPlug is for people to take control of their technology instead of their technology usage controlling them. "If we make some small changes in how we use technology, we can have some really positive impacts on our behaviour, our well being and our productivity." – Chris Flack. Have you ever felt strained and overwhelmed with work or feel like you have developed the bad habit of always being available 24/7!? This week's episode will resonate with so many as we explore excessive technology usage and our right to unplug and disconnect from the culture of always being on. After all, our bodies cannot fully recharge if we don't allow for vital downtime. This episode is jam-packed with fascinating statistics, insights, and practical tips that w

‘’What you do every day matters more than what you do once in a while.’’ – Gretchen Rubin. Have you ever set goals that quickly went out the window or became unreachable? If so, this episode on effective goal setting will be of interest to you. We are delighted to reveal this week’s solo episode with your host Aoife O’Brien is a two-part special focusing on the secret to creating routines to reach your goals. Throughout this discussion, Aoife shares her approach and valuable tips on setting goals and explores the power behind building productive daily habits to help make your goals more achievable. Let’s not forget small steps can lead to significant changes! There is no doubt about it that 2021 was a rollercoaster year for all, so if you have eased yourself gently into 2022 so far without setting any year-end development goals, fear not as you can set goals at any given time that works best for you. This short episode is full of actionable tips and tools to help you plan, adapt, and smash your yearly tar

"People say their ideal leader wouldn't have any vulnerabilities, but actually in reality, and the research shows that when a leader is vulnerable, everybody else feels more comfortable with being vulnerable themselves, and therefore being more authentic, and essentially happier at work." - Seònaid Ó Murchadha. Welcome back to Happier at Work. Joining Aoife this week on the podcast is the inspirational Seònaid Ó Murchadha. Seònaid's passion lies within helping organisations embrace disability by advising businesses on the journey of diversity. Over the last two decades, Seònaid has worked endlessly advocating and highlighting employment rights for disabled people and can often be seen doing so through various media outlets nationwide. Today's show focuses on why disability inclusion in the workplace is important. Throughout the episode, Seònaid shares her personal story, discusses the reality of disability disclosures and non-disclosures, and reveals vital steps for creating open and inclusive environments

extended break, this week’s episode is a short solo session where Aoife looks back and reflects on 2021. Aoife shares her personal experience managing COVID-19 throughout a busy December and highlights why our health should always be a top priority. During the session, Aoife gives an insight into the importance of time-off and reveals what lessons she will be carrying forward into this new year ahead. Main points covered throughout include: - Why we should prioritise our health and well-being. - The importance of allowing your body to rest. - Embracing holidays and time off from work. - How to analyse and manage your task list. - Becoming comfortable with accepting help and delegating. - Setting goals for 2022. THE LISTENER’S SAY: Have a topic in mind that you would love for Aoife to explore on future podcasts? If so, please connect with Aoife via the links below and let her know. Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O’Brien: https://www.happieratwork.ie https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien

"I've coached over 200 CEOs and C-suite leaders, and one of the first things I would always say is don't ever give yourself the luxury of a bad day like that's a luxury. You have to show up every day. Everyone's looking." – Bonnie Hagemann. We are delighted to welcome leadership expert and CEO of EDA, Bonnie Hagemann, onto the podcast this week to discuss the benefits of embracing change in the workplace and why it is vital to show up as your best self at work. Bonnie is a wealth of knowledge regarding leadership, strategy, and workplace culture development. Throughout the conversation, Bonnie kindly shares valuable books and tools specialising in people development and the art of tackling crucial discussions. Bonnie also reveals fascinating insights from her 2021 Executive Development trend report. Essential points covered throughout the session include: - An introduction to Bonnie Hagemann. - Fast-paced business operations. - What is Visionary leadership? - Preparing for tough business challenges. -

Have you ever delivered or received feedback in the workplace? For many of us, the thought of having these difficult conversations can instantly fill us with feelings of awkwardness, worry, and fear. In this week’s episode, host Aoife O’Brien breaks down feedback barriers, exploring why delivering effective and constructive feedback at work is so vital and why we should view feedback as a gift and an opportunity for growth. “The intention of the person delivering the feedback is to actually help you, and so you should treat feedback as a gift that someone is giving you this feedback in order to help you develop in your career, in order to develop in the role that you’re in, in order to help you to work more effectively’’. – Aoife O’Brien. Throughout the session, Aoife will share the importance of declaring the intention of feedback and will conclude the show with her top do’s and don’ts of providing effective feedback. Key points during the show include: - The importance of feedback. - How feedback welc

Welcome back to Happier at Work! This week’s episode features a podcast debut appearance from an HR business leader who specialises in implementing transformational systems and initiatives within an organisation to create a high-performing and happier working environment. ‘’When things go really, really bad, the value systems keep everything together and keep the happiness, and we lift each other up. That’s what you want to do in real life. That’s what you want to do in a company. That’s what you want to do as a human being.’’ – Stefan Tonnon. In conversation with Aoife is Stefan Tonnon, the vice president of HR for EMEA at Insight. With over 25 years of experience, Stefan will share insights throughout the discussion on the importance of HR, creating a happier working environment, and living and growing within a values-based culture. Main points covered throughout include:  Introduction to Stefan Tonnon.  Why company values are important?  Aligning the core values of hunger, heart, and harmony. 