Happier At Work

Nate Regier and Aoife O’Brien speak about his latest book, Seeing People Through. This is a fable-based book which focuses on the types in people (rather than types of people). We speak about compassion, the importance of diversity of personality, PCM - observable communication behaviours - hypocrisy; honesty; influence; self-deception; trust, the importance of leveraging diversity towards a shared goal, the importance of personality diversity in D&I, how ‘like attracts like’ creates an echo chamber, values vs belief systems, vs needs satisfaction - 'so what, now what?’ leads to taking action The 6 types are - thinker, harmoniser, promoter, persister, imaginer, rebel. Nate Regier, Ph.D. is the CEO and founding owner of Next Element, a global learning consultancy focused on compassionate leadership. Dr. Regier is clinical psychologist and expert in personality, social-emotional intelligence, communication and leadership. Recognized as a Top 100 keynote speaker, he is a Process Communication Model® cer

The podcast returns after an extended break, with lots of juicy content lined up for you well into the new year! You'll find the survey at: https://www.happieratwork.ie/survey and connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien

Elysia Hegarty from CPL’s Future of Work institute and I speak about the future of wellness. We speak about work-related stress and burnout, the causes (time pressure, work overload, job insecurity, poor leadership, long hours, lack of progression, not feeling valued). The eight dimensions of wellness are: spiritual, environmental, physical, mental, intellectual, occupational, social, financial. How can our approach to wellness change for the better? With over 15 years’ experience in Human Resource Management and the Wellness Industry Elysia has combined her expertise to partner with businesses to help develop strategies to attract, engage and retain employees. Working within multiple sectors Elysia helps promote a healthy workforce that supports business needs and enhances productivity and engagement. She does this through a range of strategies including workshops, speaking engagements, workplace wellness strategies and diagnostic assessments. Elysia currently leads the Strategic Wellness service offering

Enrique Rubio from Hacking HR and I speak about the future of work and the opportunity presented to us during this difficult time. We cover topics such as creativity at work, how there is an opportunity to allow people to be more curious and innovative. Trust featured highly in the podcast - could it be that you are not hiring the right people (because you don't trust them to do their job) or you don't have the right people in the right roles? Companies are not taking advantage of their talent. Your job as a leader is to not unmotivate and uninspire your staff. Provide a balance of support and challenge. Create psychological safety through vulnerability and transparency. Ultimately, be human at work! Enrique is an HR, Tech and Future of Work expert and keynote speaker and founder of Hacking HR, a global learning community at the intersection of future of work, technology, business and organizations, with thousands of members of all over the world. He came to the United States from Venezuela as a Fulbright

Henry Stewart (from Happy) and I talk about the future of work. We talk about the three fundamentals of what makes a happier workplace, as outlined by Daniel Pink’s book Drive: Mastery; Autonomy; Purpose. Mastery is about playing to your strengths – imagine spending most of your time doing something you love, and not having to do the things you really hate?! Managers should act as coaches, and be good as spotting talent and getting the most from employees. What if you could choose your own manager? Or do we really need managers at all? Autonomy is about providing clear guidelines and letting people get on with the job – when you have a choice and control over what you do and how you do it, you are happier at work. This requires a great deal of trust, a no-blame culture, the ability to learn from and celebrate mistakes. Henry Stewart is founder and Chief Happiness Officer of London-based training business Happy Ltd. Happy was rated one of the top 20 workplaces in the UK for 5 successive years and now helps

Mike Vacanti (from Humans First) and I talk about the future of work. Let's start with what's wrong: we don't treat people very well at work! Most organisations are set up for competition rather than collaboration, and most of what we see and read is about "getting ahead" - but what if we took a different approach? Giving employees a choice in what they do and how they do it will really drive their motivation. Regarding management: allowing the best people to rise based on their ability to help others around them rise. When it comes to change, start with yourself first! Stop expecting change to come from external sources. Acknowledge and appreciate the uniqueness in yourself and others. Be genuine - share your weaknesses, development areas, low priority strengths (whatever you call them) so that others can help you with your blind spots. You need to believe in the goals of the organisation, and if you don't maybe it's not "your" organisation. Mike believes, “It’s more than what we accomplish – it’s who we be

This is an exciting episode on the Future of Work series, I speak with Andrew Barnes (for the second time) and Charlotte Lockhart – first time with two guests! Andrew and Charlotte are from 4 Day Week Global. We talk about the impact of COVID-19 on how we currently work, what this means for the future of work – remote working, flexible working and the positive impacts of this global pandemic. We also cover productivity, and the time versus outcomes trap. We speak about the challenges of flexible working – no water cooler chat, inequality when it comes to access, and impacts on corporate culture over time. Innovator, entrepreneur and philanthropist Andrew Barnes has made a career of market-changing innovation and industry digitisation. Most recently, in New Zealand, Andrew triggered a revolution of the entire fiduciary and legal services industries, and the transformation he has led as the founder of Perpetual Guardian has positive implications both locally and globally (as evidenced by his announcement of th

In this 3rd episode of the Future of Work series, I speak with Dr Kelly Monahan. We talk about the impact of COVID-19 on how we work; how the impact of accelerating technology, and the shift away from maximising shareholder wealth towards purpose-driven business will separate the great companies from the rest. Leaders who show compassion and confidence during this crisis will thrive. Ask yourself, how is my business adding value? with a focus on the improvements you make for customers. If you don’t know what the purpose is, just ask! Ask yourself: “how do I make others around me better?” Dr. Kelly Monahan is an organizational behaviorist and studies the future workforce at Accenture Research. Her research has been recognized and published in both applied and academic journals, including MIT Sloan Management Review and Journal of Strategic Management. In 2018, Kelly released her first book, How behavioral economics influences management decision-making: A new paradigm (Academic Press/Elsevier Publishers). D

This is a special episode featuring 5 guests, plus my own perspective on the future of work, given the current global pandemic we find ourselves in with COVID-19, the coronavirus. Fiona English shares in sights on the impact of this trauma which leads to a shift in perspective and a desire for change "how things are versus how we think they should be". Acceptance and choice is key here. Bernard Jackman talks about virtual meetings, how we have adapted quickly, and will continue to use these forms of communication. However, the importance of human interaction cannot be understated. Louise Goss shares insights on the increase in flexible working, how staff have shown that flexibility works, and the long term impact of flexible working and the opportunities it brings. Simon Haigh talks about the acceleration of trends, and that people will continue to work remotely. The new concept of screen fatigue from so many zoom calls! Good employers will focus on the mental health of employees. Purpose- and mission-drive

This is the first episode in the “Future of Work” series. I speak with Stephen Dargan from Wake Up. Stephen and I talk about how work is going to change in the immediate future as well as further down the line. It’s time to question the way we worked – where we work from, and the time spent at work. We talk about the importance of autonomy at work, as well as meaning and purpose. Stephen Dargan wants your organisation to feel happier. Stephen has worked with managing teams for 10 years to now enabling leaders of organisations in Ireland and the UK transform the way their organisations work, for the better. Stephen believes that great leaders make others feel good about themselves and people work best when they feel good about themselves. Stephen provides the happy workplaces 4 day leadership programme over a 4 month period with organisations. Where leaders are given the tools to create a high performance happier team. Stephen also co runs the Happy Workplaces Ireland Conference now in its 4th year. An e

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 fac

Aoife Lenox, found of Inside Strategies provides coaching and training services centred on introverts in business. She also consults with organisations to promote quiet leadership and communication strategies in preparation for the future of work. Aoife and I talk about introvert leaders. Aoife shares insights on what makes introverts and extraverts different, the importance of self-awareness, different types of introverts, quiet leadership, the introvert entrepreneur, the strengths and pitfalls of being an introvert and how to manage them. www.insidestrategies.ie The Introvert Entrepreneur Book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Introvert-Entrepreneur-Beth-Buelow-ebook/dp/B011H1J7OK/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= The Introvert Entrepeneur Podcast https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/the-introvert-entrepreneur/id387593948?mt=2 Aoife’s links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifelenox/ https://twitter.com/AoifeLenox https://www.instagram.com/insidestrategies/ My links: https

Jonny Cooper can be described as an elite performer with a strong desire to lead, influence and inspire people and teams with his actions. Jonny has a strong desire to continuously learn and develop. Currently he is completing his MSc in Organisational Behaviour and Psychology and previously completing an executive coaching diploma in the Irish Management Institute, a leadership programme from Maynooth University, and holding an undergraduate degree in Sports Science and Health from Dublin City University. Along with his academic and professional background, his practical elite sport experiences to date makes him authentic with his presence, natural in his delivery and aware of his potential to help himself and others become un rivalled. He has a particular interested in culture, team, leadership and high potentials and has visited professional teams in Ireland, the UK and Australia. A two-time GAA All Star who has represented the Dublin Senior football team for the past 9 years. Jonny has six All Irela

This 7th episode in the Leadership Series features Saskia Kremer. We speak personal leadership and what you need to do in order to manage yourself. We cover things like being proactive rather than reactive, reflecting on your day “if you don’t run the day, the day runs you” but in a non-judgemental way, chunking your vision down to smaller pieces, and celebrating the wins. Saskia helps successful, time challenged high level management, directors and business owners, who can’t find the bandwidth to pursue more profitable projects and increase their performance, without the overwhelm. Saskia, once a Missionary, worked alongside Mother Teresa herself, which brought her around the globe, helping people discover their meaning in life in sometimes heart-breaking circumstances. She left the missions following her own experience of burnout to pursue her lifelong dream of having her own business. In 2016 she moved from Holland to Ireland and specialized in working with business owners, consultants and managers show

This 6th episode in the Leadership Series features Timen Baart from TrustXP. We speak about all things trust in the workplace, with a specific focus on employee trust and what as leaders we can do to drive trust. We answer questions like: What is trust? Why is it important? What drives trust? Timen shares his insights on this elusive topic, and delves into the key drivers: fairness; competence; identification; reciprocity; transparency. It all starts with leadership!Timen Baart is the author of Win With Trust. Timen presents why an empathetic approach to trust is the key to success in business. He explains that employee trust requires leaders to view employees not as liabilities, nor assets, but as individuals who are the hero in their own story. Trust starts as an elusive concept, but Timen presents a framework to identify trust issues and provides a way to systematically improve trust. It arms managers and leaders with the awareness and skills to increase trust, and to make the business case for trust. As t

This episode features Asumpta Gallagher, the owner and founder of Best Practice. She launched her business in early 2018 to provide supports to GP’s, their Practices and their Staff. The services that Best Practice provide, enables GPs to spend more time being the Doctors they want to be. Best Practice helps to standardise processes, implement systems as well as providing tailored training to staff inhouse, remotely and through external workshops. A well managed Practice empowers and motivates the entire Practice Team, and results in a better work life balance for everyone as well as improved Patient Care. A full list of services can be found on www.bestpractice.ie Asumpta and I discuss what makes a good leader, the difference between managing and leading, ambition, success, asking for help and starting with why.www.bestpractice.ie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rZLZwwq6rA https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien www.empowermentcoaching.ie

This episode features Tim Kidd, the Europanel Managing Director for Kantar’s Worldpanel division, with responsibility for the UK, France, Spain, Ireland, Portugal, Greece plus the US. Kantar Worldpanel is centred on the creation of data and insight to help clients understand people better (specifically what they buy and consume) and to inspire growth. Tim has been in the business for 27 years and is retiring at the end of March, which will be a sad and happy day in equal measure. He believes strongly that if we get the people part of business “right”, then clients will get more value from their relationship with us and this in turn will lead to us having a stronger business ourselves. And by “right” he means that everyone in the team knows where we’re going, what their part in that is, is able to grow personally, is valued and respected and has fun along the way too. Many companies talk about people, but he hopes his legacy will be a to have a led a team where the people focus is authentic.Tim and I discuss

This episode features Stephen Naughton, an experienced leadership coach and consultant with unique skills in operational leadership and team coaching. He has over 16 years’ experience in leading teams in financial services and developing the Operations Performance Centres of Excellence. Stephen covering a wide variety of topics such as leadership, emotional intelligence, diversity awareness, virtual communications and resilience. He continues to coach executives and also coaches college students on a pro bono basis. He's also the host of the Good Boss Bad Boss Podcast and has a passionate belief in the potential of every human being!Stephen and I discuss what makes a good leader, playing to your strengths, the importance of reflection, values, and the importance of connection in building trust. A leader must: inspire trust; clarify the purpose; align the systems; unleash the talent. Above all, a leader is someone who others want to follow!https://www.stephennaughton.com/good-boss-bad-boss-podcasthttps://www.s

22: Fiona English on Meaning at Work by Aoife O'Brien

This episode features Bernard Jackman, former Irish international and Leinster rugby player whose story of success and failure – of bouncing back – makes him an engaging and entertaining speaker who can talk with authority, ease and humour about what success looks like and how to take responsibility for, and create, your own success.Bernard and I discuss what leadership means, what makes a good leader, and recipes for success. Leadership starts with purpose, clear communication of that purpose, a strategy and plan in place to achieve that, and a clear culture of behaviours to enable the strategy. This is all made possible by clear communication channels and providing feedback as to where you are versus where you need to be.https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernardjackman/https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5771014-the-talent-code