Truth, Lies and Work 255. Why some people are difficult at work, with Aoife O'Brien
Dec 4, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Aoife O'Brien, founder of Happier at Work and host of the Happier at Work podcast, delves into workplace dynamics. She shares insights on how misalignment of values is a major cause of disengagement. Aoife emphasizes the importance of autonomy, relatedness, and competence in driving employee behavior. She explains the role of childhood influences on adult workplace interactions and advocates for psychological safety as essential for thriving cultures. Practical advice is offered for leaders wanting to support their teams effectively.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Bad Behavior Often Signals Unmet Needs
- Aoife O’Brien argues "difficult" employees often react to unmet needs rather than born nastiness.
- Unmet needs like recognition or progression drive attention-seeking or undermining behaviour at work.
Three Universal Needs At Work
- Aoife describes three universal needs: autonomy, relatedness and competence as core workplace drivers.
- Satisfying these needs reduces derailment and improves engagement across teams.
Explain Intent To Reduce Micromanagement
- Describe the intent behind your checking or oversight to reduce perceptions of micromanagement.
- Ask for feedback and promise to reflect and act so people feel safe to speak up.
