Happier At Work

Are you fed up with being overlooked at work? Do you feel your work is underappreciated? If so, this episode is a must-listen for you! Joining Aoife this week is business and personal coach Paula Sheridan, who is on a mission to help clients unwrap their potential and exceed their expectations. This episode offers terrific nuggets of wisdom and brilliant tools for managers to help make your workplace fairer.Paula delves into the life skill of visibility and unpacks why you must stop waiting to be noticed. We learn the key to raising your visibility at work and getting your work appreciated, along with the powerful questions to ask when seeking constructive feedback. Paula also shares how we can shut down the gender gap and reminds us of the importance of self-acknowledgement and why we should celebrate our wins and achievements. Further key points throughout include; - An introduction to Paula Sheridan- Women in the workplace: closing the gender gap- Influence and visibility – what are you getting done?- The

What does 2023 look like for your organisation? Will the organisational culture flourish, or will it need a significant transformative shake-up? To ring in the new year and kick off the 2023 series of Happier at Work, Aoife is joined by Siobhan Sweeney. Siobhan is the head of diversity, inclusion and belonging at software giant Hubspot and joins Aoife to discuss organisational cultures and all things diversity, inclusion and belonging. Throughout the episode, Siobhan shares the tick-box exercise mentality that businesses need to banish, discusses the challenges and opportunities that arise within a diverse and inclusive workplace and unpacks the power of listening and creating a safe space for open dialogue. Further key points throughout include; - An introduction to Siobhan Sweeney- What do diversity, inclusion and belonging mean in the workplace?- The reevaluation of leadership styles- How diverse teams can outshine homogenous teams- The investment of nurturing: Innovation and blue sky thinking - The effect

Do you wish to become a more conscious leader but don't know where to begin? Joining Aoife this week is conscious leadership expert, international keynote speaker and owner of Totally Morpheus, Ian Hatton. With a wealth of leadership knowledge and over two decades of experience, Ian has trained and developed leaders across more than 90 countries, racking up over 10 000 sessions.Ian shares his voyage of seeking authentic leadership and his discovery of conscious leadership throughout this insightful discussion. Ian breaks down everything leadership is not, delves into the inner journey to happiness, and reveals how you can excel in your zone of genius. Ian unveils leaders' challenges and shares stories of effective leadership processes. Ian also shares the importance of living in the present moment, being prepared to put the work in, and making yourself a priority, as, after all, your number one job is YOU! Further key points throughout include; - An introduction to Ian Hatton- Self-leadership is not self-cont

Aoife recently delved into the drive and reason behind starting her own business venture. This week’s solo episode unpacks Aoife’s why behind creating the Happier at Work podcast. Since launching in August 2019, the podcast has reached over sixty thousand listeners and proudly holds a massive back catalogue of 130 captivating episodes. From being a huge podcast fanatic to becoming one of the few celebrated female podcast hosts, Aoife shares her podcasting journey, along with a heartfelt message to you, the listener, and reveals exciting plans for the show in 2023. Further key points throughout include; - Starting a podcast and growing a podcast audience- Podcast statistics: Women in podcasting- Is consistency the key to podcasting?- Getting your podcast heard: will anyone hear my words?- Happier at work podcast plans for 2023 - Don’t forget to celebrate the wins - big and small.- Why podcast reviews and listener feedback are so important - How to identify your work style- Can you create a better working envir

Do you struggle with bringing your whole self to work? Does the baggage of past experiences weigh you down? This week, Aoife is joined by Ashlie Collins, founder of Humane Startup, a coaching, training, and consulting company helping leaders to be brave and unleash their true leadership potential. As a two-time founding team member for tech startups, Ashlie has walked the walk, navigating her way through often challenging leadership journeys. Humane Startup believes that Healthy leaders build inspiring companies, and this week, we learn of Ashlie’s science-based approach that is helping leaders to set themselves apart and flourish. In this episode, Ashlie and Aoife delve into a range of areas, including acknowledging and clearing emotional baggage, the key to unlocking yourself and bringing your whole self to work, the reality of values and the slippery slope of achievement. Ashlie also discusses organisational behaviours and self-awareness and explains why we must work on ourselves and take responsibility fo

Have you found your professional purpose? In this week’s solo episode, Aoife discusses her why and opens up about past work experiences where she came face to face with a toxic work environment and, on the other hand, a lack of workplace fit. As the well-known saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining. Even though Aoife’s past experiences weren’t idyllic, they did steer her to where she is today, helping individuals and organisations seek and obtain happiness at work and avoid workplace dissatisfaction. Throughout the discussion, Aoife weighs up her career management and unpacks her ten-year journey of confidence rebuilding and the valuable lessons she has learned throughout her professional career. Further key points throughout include; - Career reflections and personal growth - A passion for category management: Improving marketing and sales- The realisation of being in a toxic work environment - A breakdown of communication in the workplace - Management styles: the costly impact of micromanagement - The

Want to know the secret to building and leading a thriving organisation!? If so, this episode is a must-listen for you! Joining Aoife this week is the founder of Upside Thinking, international best-selling author, expert leadership coach and keynote speaker Lisa Marie Platske. Lisa’s mission is to transform lives through leadership, allowing people to break expectations and bring their whole selves forward.Throughout the discussion, Lisa provides insight into her past experience working in a male-dominated industry as a federal law enforcement officer on the piers of New York. So much ground gets covered in this discussion as Lisa unpacks the benefits of allies in business, the need for honest dialogue in the workplace, and breaking workplace gender bias. Lisa also reveals the key to becoming a better leader. Further key points throughout include; - An introduction to Lisa Marie Platske - Being a woman in a male-dominated industry- Carrying experience into the living present- Why Allyship is excellent for bus

Have you ever felt like a fraud or imposter at work? Have you pushed yourself to the point of burnout at work to prove your abilities? In this week’s solo episode, Aoife delves into the debilitating and often concealed issue of Imposter Syndrome, unmasking the causes and symptoms, and reveals how much imposter syndrome costs you. Long-time podcast listeners will know of Aoife’s love of data and research. Recently Aoife carried out a passion project surveying 266 individuals on Imposter Syndrome, a topic which lies close to her heart. Throughout the discussion, Aoife reveals the key findings from the report, along with some staggering statistics. Further points covered throughout include:- What is imposter syndrome?- Common symptoms and triggers of imposter syndrome- Is there a link between menopause and imposter syndrome?- Are you holding yourself back at work? - Is your voice being heard at work?- How to avoid workplace burnout- Survey findings: the concerns and themes of thoughts - The impact of Covid-19 on

Since the arrival of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, our ways of working have significantly shifted, and our sense of social connection has taken an almighty hit. Joining Aoife this week is special guest Bruce Daisley. Bruce is a former VP of Twitter, now bestselling author, keynote speaker, workplace culture enthusiast and host of the brilliant Eat Sleep Work Repeat podcast. Throughout the discussion, Bruce discusses individualism versus collectivism and the pursuit of togetherness at work. Bruce reveals how resilience is a strength in which we draw from one another and unpacks the bright side of the pandemic and the opportunities it has brought. We also hear how work cultures differ across the globe and the power that lies within groups and storytelling. Further key points throughout include:- An introduction to Bruce Daisley- What on earth is resilience? - The powerful link between social identity and groups- How having a best friend at work can boost happiness- Maintaining connections in a hybrid wor

There is no doubt that the future of work is shifting. Have you noticed the viral term ‘quiet quitting’ making waves lately, especially on the social media platform Tik Tok? In this week’s solo episode, Aoife questions if this trend of quiet quitting is just a new name for an old problem or a startling reality within the working world. Aoife also explores what can drive employees to this level of Job dissatisfaction, how organisations can prevent such issues from arising and why effective communication is key. Further points covered throughout include:- The definition of quiet quitting- The impact of disengaged employees - Are you managing based on outcomes?- Why managers need to set clear expectations - Mastering time management at work- The importance of employee recognition - How Covid-19 ignited the great reflection - Striking a balance between work and life - The rocketing strain of work overload- The two-way street of loyalty in an organisation - Is high performance the new working norm?THE LISTENERS SA

When clocking off work for the day, have you ever wondered where did that time go!? A McKinsey report recently found that ‘’employees spend 1.8 hours every day of their working week on average – searching and gathering information.’’ Joining Aoife on the podcast this week is former McKinsey engagement manager and now CEO and co-founder of Scribe, a productivity SaaS company based in San Francisco, on a mission to help individuals and teams work at their best, up their productivity levels and win back precious time.In this episode, Jennifer, an accidental CEO and efficiency and productivity devotee, introduces us to the empowering tool of Scribe and shares how we can boost productivity by removing timewasters. Jennifer also offers some wonderful concentration techniques and shares how to eliminate time costing interruptions. So, if you want to achieve more focus work and free up your daily task list – this episode is a must-listen! Key points throughout include; - An introduction to Jennifer Smith - The cost o

Currently, on an exploration tour of Ireland, Aoife is coming to you live from Co. Sligo. However, in this week’s solo episode, Aoife is turning the temperature nozzle right up as she revisits her 10-week summertime experience in the largest Canary Island, Tenerife. Aoife discusses career flexibility and working abroad, adapting to a slower pace of life yet still prioritising tasks, things to consider before moving to work overseas and reveals how a re-infection of Covid-19 impacted her mental health. Key points throughout include:- How to set priorities at work and achieve flexibility in your career - How estimating our time can prove tricky - Looking to save time? Start task batching!- The importance of business reflection when planning for the future - The key to improving your accountability - The challenges of cultural diversity in the workplace - How temperature can affect your work performance - Be mindful: The rise of living costs at home and abroad- The impact of Covid-19 on mental health - Disconnec

Did you know that recruiting teams and hiring managers spend 80% of their time on manual tasks!? Joining Aoife on the podcast this week is special guest Josh Secrest, Vice president of marketing and client advocacy at the hiring technology company Paradox. Paradox’s mission is to empower recruitment teams to spend time with people, not software, with their AI flagship product, Olivia. With clients like Amazon, McDonald’s and Nestle, to name a few, there is no doubt that Josh holds the key to recruiting smarter. In this episode, Josh unpacks the powerful combination of HR and technology, sharing how to supercharge your recruitment process, gain extra time and alleviate unwanted frustrations. Josh explores how you can overcome business challenges by using data to solve problems, unpacks the magic that lies within assistive technology and reveals hiring approaches and how you can bring warmth and humanity back into the workplace. Key points throughout include: - An introduction to Josh Secrest- Why the skill of

There is no doubt that workplace toxicity is a crucial component to the matter of unhappiness at work. Toxicity is indeed the culprit driving the great resignation. In this week’s solo episode, Aoife uncovers the damages of a toxic culture and turns her focus to findings from two fascinating articles from the MIT Sloan management review. Throughout the episode, Aoife discusses the red flags within a toxic working environment and how a workplace can be toxic single-handedly rather than collectively. Aoife also reminds us that payment is not always the leading cause of staff turnover and sheds light on how the future of work is changing. Key points throughout the episode include:- Aoife’s experience of working in a toxic culture- The top five predictors of attrition - The telling signs of a toxic working environment - The key to retaining and attracting talent - The benefit of introducing lateral career opportunities in the workplace - Why organisations should embrace flexible working arrangements - Harnessing

Did you know that there is a magical relationship between listening and telling!? One that can enhance not only your personal life but your professional life too. This week’s special guest Jerome Deroy is here to tell us more. Jerome is the CEO of Narativ Inc. Narativ is driven by the power of storytelling - helping businesses across the globe transform their ways of communication and behaviour from the inside out through their business storytelling programs, one-on-one coaching and workshops. Jerome’s career was sparked by noticing a severe lack of engagement within the corporate world. In this episode, Jerome unpacks the magic of storytelling in business and reveals how people can craft their origin stories, find their authentic voices and create engagement through storytelling and listening. We also learn the barriers and obstacles that get in the way of effective listening and how it takes more than a salary to establish job satisfaction. So, if you are ready to transform your communication skills to beco

Welcome back to Happier at Work! In this week’s solo episode, Aoife turns her attention to the hot topic and rising business trends of remote and hybrid work, exploring how each working model differs.Throughout the discussion, Aoife unpacks what the future of work might look like and provides tips on maintaining productivity in a non-office environment and avoiding job burnout. Aoife also delves into the great debate of whether remote workers should be paid less. Key points throughout the episode include: - The difference between remote work and hybrid working. - Social interaction and collaboration: striking a balance when working from home. - How to connect, encourage and engage teams remotely. - Tax considerations when working remotely abroad. - Do you work best at home? - Managerial fears and trust issues linked to remote working. - The importance of setting boundaries at work to avoid burnout. - The wages debate: should remote workers be paid less? THE LISTENERS SAY:Do you have any feedback or thoughts

“To do philosophy is to explore one’s own temperament and yet at the same time to discover the truth.” – Iris Murdoch.Joining Aoife on the podcast this week is Dr Brennan Jacoby. Brennan is a philosopher and founder of Philosophy at Work, a collective of philosophers that ignite individuals, teams and organisations to think and perform their best through the help of their highly sought-after training workshops, thinking labs and keynote speaking sessions. Brennan has worked across multiple global industries, assisting giants including Facebook, Capital One Bank, Sony Music, Nike and Deloitte, to name a few. Get ready for a fascinating and insightful conversation as Aoife and Brennan discuss cultivating a mindset for success, the key to understanding your mindset, and how to overcome the fear of speaking up and asking questions. Brennan also explores the pathway to self-awareness and how our mindset is our worldview. Key points throughout the episode include:- An introduction to Brennan Jacoby.- The great reas

‘’In a research study that I conducted recently, 90% of people who took the survey were experiencing impostor syndrome or had experienced it in the past.’’ – Aoife O’Brien.Welcome back to Happier at Work. To continue the exploration of unhappiness at work, this week, Aoife unpacks a popular topic that arose on LinkedIn: getting your voice heard at work. Speaking up at work can be a challenge for many. To help shed some light, Aoife will discuss two contributing pillars to tackling this obstacle: psychological safety and imposter syndrome. Throughout the episode, Aoife discusses the benefits of working in a psychologically safe environment, building trust and overcoming fear at work, and shares valuable tips on overcoming imposter syndrome and self-limiting beliefs. Key points throughout include: - The importance of creating an environment of psychological safety in the workplace. - Managing change in the workplace. - Learning from setbacks: it’s okay to make mistakes at work.- Why leaders should seek and welc

‘’I think the role of the leader now is to create that environment where everyone can feel deeply connected and motivated, where they feel that they’re able to bring their full talent and potential to work under a clear organisational direction.’’ – Sharath Jeevan. Joining Aoife on the podcast this week is Sharath Jeevan, chairman, author and a world-leading expert on intrinsic motivation, direction and potential. Through his work and writing, Sharath is on a mission to solve motivational challenges, support leaders to build workplace cultures worth bottling up and celebrating, and help leaders navigate direction and unleash people’s fullest potential. In this episode, Sharath explores the journey to self-mastery and success, how the most powerful motivation comes from within and how organisations can stand out and create wonderfully unique cultures. We also learn the importance of creating emotional safety and showering kindness on ourselves and others. Listeners will receive valuable tips on establishing de

‘’When people are appreciated by the boss, they will appreciate the boss more as well.’’ – Aoife O’Brien. Welcome back to Happier at Work. To continue the unhappiness at work theme, this week’s solo episode focuses on employee recognition: the key to a happy workplace. Recognising your staff comes with many benefits; it drives development, builds trust and boosts employee job satisfaction, to name but a few.As businesses across the globe continue to navigate their way through the great resignation, Aoife discusses how recognising staff and effectively providing employee feedback can help retain talent and build a happy workplace. Aoife also reminds us that people tend to leave bosses more so than organisations, reveals the impact of a lack of recognition at work, and offers effective feedback strategies that you can implement straight away. The main points throughout the episode include:- Communicating effectively with employees. - The impact of lack of recognition at work. - Building trust in the workplace.