Happier At Work®

Are you ready to reimagine the future of work in an age of tech disruption?In this week’s episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O'Brien sits down with Josh Drean, co-founder of the Work3 Institute, Harvard Business Review Press author, and employee experience design expert. Together, they dive deep into why the traditional employment contract is failing today’s workforce and how emerging technologies like AI, smart contracts, and Web3 platforms are revolutionising what work looks like. Josh shares his personal journey from Harvard innovation labs to helping organisations worldwide design employee-centric workplaces, and why focusing on employee happiness is the key to long-term business success.In This Episode, You’ll Discover:Why workforce experience goes beyond "employee engagement".Actionable steps like listening to employee needs, leveraging AI to eliminate drudge work, and investing in ongoing learning.How to upskill and embrace AI as a productivity tool, not a replacement.The danger of prioritising short-term shareholder value, leading to disengagement and high turnover, costing businesses billions worldwide.Related Topics Covered:Artificial Intelligence at Work, Generational Gaps, Purpose at Work Connect with Aoife O’Brien | Host of Happier at Work®:Website LinkedIn YouTube Connect with Josh Drean | Co-founder of the Work3 Institute:LinkedInYouTubeInstagramTikTokRelated Episodes You’ll Love:Episode 191: The pursuit of purpose: Shifting perspectives with Will PolstonEpisode 245: Optimising talent and purpose at work with Matt PoepselAbout Happier at Work®Happier at Work® is the podcast for business leaders who want to create meaningful, human-centric workplaces. Hosted by Aoife O’Brien, the show explores leadership, career clarity, imposter syndrome, workplace culture, and employee engagement — helping you and your team thrive.If you enjoy podcasts like WorkLife with Adam Grant, The Happiness Lab, or Squiggly Careers, you’ll love Happier at Work®.Join Aoife O’Brien for weekly insights on leadership, workplace culture, career clarity, imposter syndrome, and creating work that works for youWebsite: https://happieratwork.ie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappierAtWorkHQ

Are you struggling to manage underperformance on your team?In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O'Brien dives into the challenging topic of dealing with underperformers in the workplace. Drawing on her experiences as a career and culture strategist, Aoife unpacks the reasons why underperformance happens, how it impacts you as a leader or teammate, and the practical steps you can take to address it compassionately and effectively. Aoife also tackles common issues, such as unclear expectations and feedback aversion, and emphasises the importance of courageous conversations and setting healthy boundaries.In This Episode, You’ll Discover:Common reasons why underperformance occurs, from blind spots and lack of clarity to feedback aversion and power dynamics.The value of difficult conversations in driving individual and team growth.Tips for documenting specific examples to support constructive feedback and performance discussions.When and how to escalate issues and set boundaries to protect your own workload and well-being.Related Topics Covered:Purpose at Work, Employee Wellbeing, Boundaries at Work Connect with Aoife O’Brien | Host of Happier at Work®:Website LinkedIn YouTube Related Episodes You’ll Love:Episode 235: Empowering your Career and Overcoming Hurdles with Aoife O’BrienEpisode 240: Meaningful Work through Simplification with Lisa BodellEpisode 242: Transforming Mental Health Conversations at Work with Melissa DomanAbout Happier at Work®Happier at Work® is the podcast for business leaders who want to create meaningful, human-centric workplaces. Hosted by Aoife O’Brien, the show explores leadership, career clarity, imposter syndrome, workplace culture, and employee engagement — helping you and your team thrive.If you enjoy podcasts like WorkLife with Adam Grant, The Happiness Lab, or Squiggly Careers, you’ll love Happier at Work®.Website: https://happieratwork.ie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappierAtWorkHQ

How can embracing neurodiversity create a happier, more successful workplace?In this thought-provoking episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O'Brien is joined by Tatiana Ryan, a passionate neurodiversity advocate and accomplished pharma professional. They had an insightful discussion about ADHD, neurodivergence, and thriving at work. Tatiana shares her personal journey from receiving an adult ADHD diagnosis to finding "superpowers" in her unique way of thinking. Together, Aoife and Tatiana debunk common myths, celebrate the strengths neurodivergent individuals bring to the table, and share practical strategies for belonging and productivity at work.In This Episode, You’ll Discover:Neurodivergent superpowers: ADHD, dyslexia, autism, and other differences bring valuable strengths such as creativity, abstract problem-solving, big-picture thinking, logic, and attention to detail.The masking phenomenon: Women and others often "mask" neurodivergent traits, making diagnosis and support more difficult, especially in the workplace.How to embrace your own flavour of neurodivergence and experiment with routines and tools that suit your brain best.The power of authenticity and how bringing your whole self to work helps attract your “people” and builds lasting workplace happiness.Related Topics Covered:Workplace Priorities, Diversity & Inclusion, Behaviours at Work Connect with Aoife O’Brien | Host of Happier at Work®:Website LinkedIn YouTube Connect with Tatiana Ryan | Neurodiversity Advocate:LinkedInRelated Episodes You’ll Love:Episode 208: How can you Embrace Neurodiversity in the WorkplaceAbout Happier at Work®Happier at Work® is the podcast for business leaders who want to create meaningful, human-centric workplaces. Hosted by Aoife O’Brien, the show explores leadership, career clarity, imposter syndrome, workplace culture, and employee engagement — helping you and your team thrive.If you enjoy podcasts like WorkLife with Adam Grant, The Happiness Lab, or Squiggly Careers, you’ll love Happier at Work®.Join Aoife O’Brien for weekly insights on leadership, workplace culture, career clarity, imposter syndrome, and creating work that works for you.Website: https://happieratwork.ie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappierAtWorkHQ

Are you feeling overwhelmed by busyness and constant demands at work?In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O’Brien tackles the all-too-common issue of being perpetually busy: Why it happens, the impact it has on our personal and professional lives, and most importantly, what actionable steps we can take to reclaim our time and energy. Aoife openly shares her own struggles with busyness, explores the cultural and psychological drivers behind it, and offers practical frameworks and strategies for leaders and individuals looking to break the cycle and create a healthier, more impactful work life.In This Episode, You’ll Discover:The psychological and cultural drivers behind chronic busyness, including the glorification of being "always on" and the performative nature of back-to-back meetings.Why busyness can be tied to self-worth, impostor syndrome, and even a way to avoid uncomfortable feelings.The importance of questioning expectations and longstanding processes to ensure your workload is meaningful and aligned with your impact goals.Practical tips for leaders on protecting your time, supporting your team’s balance, and modelling healthier work habits.Related Topics Covered:Time Management, Comparison, Delegation, Workplace Culture Connect with Aoife O’Brien | Host of Happier at Work®:Website LinkedIn YouTube Related Episodes You’ll Love:Episode 223: Imposter Syndrome The Invisible Barrier to Workplace Success.Episode 240: Meaningful Work through Simplification with Lisa BodellEpisode 235: Empowering your Career and Overcoming Hurdles with Aoife O’BrienRelated Content Mentioned in the Episode:Dori Clark’s TEDX Talk: The Real Reason You Feel So Busy About Happier at Work®Happier at Work® is the podcast for business leaders who want to create meaningful, human-centric workplaces. Hosted by Aoife O’Brien, the show explores leadership, career clarity, imposter syndrome, workplace culture, and employee engagement — helping you and your team thrive.If you enjoy podcasts like WorkLife with Adam Grant, The Happiness Lab, or Squiggly Careers, you’ll love Happier at Work®.Website: https://happieratwork.ie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappierAtWorkHQ Mentioned in this episode:Imposter IdentityImposter Identity

How can you build stronger human connections at work and lift your team out of the awkward zone?In this thought-provoking episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O’Brien is joined by Jen Marr, author, researcher, and expert on supportive workplace cultures. They explore the essential human skills that leaders need in today’s rapidly changing, tech-driven world. Drawing from her rich personal and professional journey, Jen shares insights from her books "Showing Up" and "Lifting Up," delving into the art of meaningful support, tackling loneliness and isolation, and offering practical frameworks for leaders guiding their teams through uncertainty and disruption.In This Episode, You’ll Discover:The “awkward zone”. Many well-intentioned people struggle to provide meaningful support, especially during difficult times, due to fear of saying or doing the wrong thing.Tools and clear boundaries for when to escalate issues, how to differentiate between manager, HR, and mental health professional roles, and how to build sustainable supportive cultures.How to create psychologically safe environments.The importance of leading by example. Effective support is pragmatic, not just emotional. Related Topics Covered:Lonliness & Empathy, Supportive Leadership, Younger Generations at Work Connect with Aoife O’Brien | Host of Happier at Work®:Website LinkedIn YouTube Connect with Jen Marr | Founder & CEO of Showing Up LLC:LinkedInWebsiteRelated Episodes You’ll Love:Episode 181: Exploring Leading Indicators for Happier Workplaces with Zach MercurioEpisode 195: Workplace Culture Dynamics Creating a Positive Work Environment with Caroline CollinsEpisode 218: How Can You Improve Happiness and Trust at Work with matt PhelanAbout Happier at Work®Happier at Work® is the podcast for business leaders who want to create meaningful, human-centric workplaces. Hosted by Aoife O’Brien, the show explores leadership, career clarity, imposter syndrome, workplace culture, and employee engagement — helping you and your team thrive.If you enjoy podcasts like WorkLife with Adam Grant, The Happiness Lab, or Squiggly Careers, you’ll love Happier at Work®.Join Aoife O’Brien for weekly insights on leadership, workplace culture, career clarity, imposter syndrome, and creating work that works for you.Website: https://happieratwork.ie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappierAtWorkHQ Mentioned in this episode:Imposter IdentityImposter Identity

Are you unintentionally holding your team back?In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O’Brien dives deep into her newly developed framework for understanding leadership blind spots through eight distinctive Leadership Archetypes. Drawing from years of leadership research and firsthand experience, Aoife explores how values alignment, needs satisfaction, and individual strengths impact team performance and engagement. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or new to managing teams, this episode offers a transformative guide to recognising your leadership patterns, overcoming hidden challenges, and creating an empowering work environment.Curious about which leadership archetype you are? Take Aoife’s quick assessment at happieratwork.ie/archetype, and join the conversation on LinkedIn. What’s one thing you’ll do differently to become a happier, more effective leader? In This Episode, You’ll Discover:The Happier at Work Leadership Archetypes Assessment and its foundation in values, needs, and strengths.A breakdown of the three core psychological needs at work: autonomy, relatedness, and competence, and why ignoring unmet needs leads to frustration and disengagement.How to spot your blind spots and move beyond them to cultivate happier, more engaged teams.The importance of aligning both your personal values and your team’s values with the organisation’s mission for greater engagement and retention.Why leadership archetypes are dynamic and how you can evolve from one type to another as your self-awareness grows.Related Topics Covered:Leadership, Values at Work, Psychological Safety, Purpose at Work Connect with Aoife O’Brien | Host of Happier at Work®:Website LinkedIn YouTube Related Episodes You’ll Love:Episode 223: Imposter Syndrome The Invisible Barrier to Workplace Success.Episode 235: Empowering your Career and Overcoming Hurdles with Aoife O’BrienEpisode 254: How to Progress your Career with Purpose with Rumana ShaikhAbout Happier at Work®Happier at Work® is the podcast for business leaders who want to create meaningful, human-centric workplaces. Hosted by Aoife O’Brien, the show explores leadership, career clarity, imposter syndrome, workplace culture, and employee engagement — helping you and your team thrive.If you enjoy podcasts like WorkLife with Adam Grant, The Happiness Lab, or Squiggly Careers, you’ll love Happier at Work®.Website: https://happieratwork.ie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappierAtWorkHQ Mentioned in this episode:Imposter IdentityImposter Identity

Are your workplace connections making your team thrive, or driving disengagement?In this episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O’Brien welcomes Dr. Zach Mercurio back for a powerful conversation on the workplace “mattering deficit” and how creating a true sense of significance can transform teams. Drawing on the latest research, including worrying trends of record-low employee engagement and the global loneliness epidemic, Zach reveals why transactional digital interactions and a lack of quality human connection are at the heart of the issue. He explains why perks, pay, and platforms alone can’t compensate for the daily need to feel seen, heard, and valued, and offers practical strategies for leaders to foster authentic, meaningful relationships at work.In This Episode, You’ll Discover:Why current employee engagement initiatives often fail, and the crucial difference between “connection” and true significance at work.How technology and digital convenience erode our skills to build deeper relationships and create mattering.The dangers of dismissing social skills as “soft” and why approaching them with rigor is essential for leaders.Tips to overcome busyness and bring intentionality, attention, and skill to every human interaction.Related Topics Covered:Technology, Communications skills, employee engagement Connect with Aoife O’Brien | Host of Happier at Work®:Website LinkedIn YouTube Connect with Zach Mercurio | Author, Speaker, Facilitator, and Researcher:LinkedInWebsiteInstagramRelated Episodes You’ll Love:Episode 181: Exploring Leading Indicators for Happier Workplaces with Zach MercurioEpisode 195: Workplace Culture Dynamics Creating a Positive Work Environment with Caroline CollinsEpisode 218: How Can You Improve Happiness and Trust at Work with matt PhelanEpisode 226: The 3 C’s of Thriving Talent at Work with Aoife O’BrienEpisode 233: Unlocking Potential with Strengths-Based Strategies with Marijke KershawAbout Happier at Work®Happier at Work® is the podcast for business leaders who want to create meaningful, human-centric workplaces. Hosted by Aoife O’Brien, the show explores leadership, career clarity, imposter syndrome, workplace culture, and employee engagement — helping you and your team thrive.If you enjoy podcasts like WorkLife with Adam Grant, The Happiness Lab, or Squiggly Careers, you’ll love Happier at Work®.Join Aoife O’Brien for weekly insights on leadership, workplace culture, career clarity, imposter syndrome, and creating work that works for you.Mentioned in this episode:Imposter IdentityImposter Identity

How can you get the most from one-to-one meetings at work?In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O’Brien, career and culture strategist for busy global leaders, dives deep into the secret to running effective, meaningful one-to-one meetings. Drawing on her own experiences, both positive and negative, Aoife explores why so many one-to-ones fall flat and how this underutilised tool can drive productivity, engagement, retention, and trust within your team. Aoife offers actionable advice and frameworks you can use whether you’re a manager, leader, or individual contributor looking to get the most out of every conversation.In This Episode, You’ll Discover:How to leverage the "Four P’s" framework: Progress, Priorities, Problems, and Personal.How to tailor the structure and frequency of one-to-one meetings to suit individual needs.Tips for structuring the conversations.How to avoid using one-to-ones as simple status updates.Related Topics Covered:Communications, Meeting Employee Needs, Connection at Work Connect with Aoife O’Brien | Host of Happier at Work®:Website LinkedIn YouTube Related Episodes You’ll Love:Episode 222: How to Build Authentic Connections and Personal Branding with Alyssa JafferEpisode 235: Empowering your Career and Overcoming Hurdles with Aoife O’BrienEpisode 254: How to Progress your Career with Purpose with Rumana ShaikhAbout Happier at Work®Happier at Work® is the podcast for business leaders who want to create meaningful, human-centric workplaces. Hosted by Aoife O’Brien, the show explores leadership, career clarity, imposter syndrome, workplace culture, and employee engagement — helping you and your team thrive.If you enjoy podcasts like WorkLife with Adam Grant, The Happiness Lab, or Squiggly Careers, you’ll love Happier at Work®.

How can you discover resilience at work, and improve how your organisation can build it effectively?In this episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O’Brien sits down with Dr. Marie-Helene Pelletier, psychologist, executive coach, and author, to explore the concept of resilience in the workplace. Marie-Helene shares her unique journey, blending psychology and business, and reveals why resilience, not just mental health, resonates so powerfully with high-performing leaders and teams.In This Episode, You’ll Discover:The difference between talking about mental health and resilience.The vital role of environment in fostering sustainable well-being.Practical, research-backed actions for enhancing resilience, including exercise, sleep, relationships, nutrition, and more.The importance of creating a unique, strategic resilience plan tailored to your personal context—and why this plan should evolve over time.Related Topics Covered:Generational shifts at work, Mistake-tolerance, Seeking help, Communications Connect with Aoife O’Brien | Host of Happier at Work®:Website LinkedIn YouTube Connect with Marie-Helene Pelletier | Psychologist, Coach & Author:LinkedInInstagramTikTokRelated Episodes You’ll Love:Episode 184: A Framework for Building Happier Work Cultures with Aoife O’Brien  Episode 227: Building Confidence and Courage at Work with Ellen TaaffeEpisode 248: Behaviour Science in the Workplace with Matt ShenkerEpisode 249: Embracing Failiure and a Growth Mindset with with Kelly McDonaldAbout Happier at Work®Happier at Work® is the podcast for business leaders who want to create meaningful, human-centric workplaces. Hosted by Aoife O’Brien, the show explores leadership, career clarity, imposter syndrome, workplace culture, and employee engagement — helping you and your team thrive.If you enjoy podcasts like WorkLife with Adam Grant, The Happiness Lab, or Squiggly Careers, you’ll love Happier at Work®.Join Aoife O’Brien for weekly insights on leadership, workplace culture, career clarity, imposter syndrome, and creating work that works for you.

How can you manage your career strategically?In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O’Brien introduces the “Know, Show, Grow” framework, an actionable approach to managing your career strategically. Drawing on her wealth of experience as a career and culture strategist, Aoife breaks down the essential steps to understanding your values, strengths, needs, and how to showcase your achievements with confidence. She also shares an exciting update on her new AI Career Companion tool, designed to help you further your growth and fulfilment at work.In This Episode, You’ll Discover:The importance of thinking strategically about your career and using frameworks to guide your next steps.The Know, Show, Grow framework to help you:Know: Get clear on your values, needs, strengths, and motivations.Show: Present your wins, improve your visibility, and advocate for yourself (and others) with authenticity.Grow: Set aligned goals, expand your network, and take deliberate steps to advance.Tips for uncovering your unique values, including reflecting on what frustrates or energises you.Related Topics Covered:Your needs and values at work, Barriers at work, Networking. Connect with Aoife O’Brien | Host of Happier at Work®:Website LinkedIn YouTube Related Episodes You’ll Love:Episode 222: How to Build Authentic Connections and Personal Branding with Alyssa JafferEpisode 235: Empowering your Career and Overcoming Hurdles with Aoife O’BrienEpisode 254: How to Progress your Career with Purpose with Rumana ShaikhAbout Happier at Work®Happier at Work® is the podcast for business leaders who want to create meaningful, human-centric workplaces. Hosted by Aoife O’Brien, the show explores leadership, career clarity, imposter syndrome, workplace culture, and employee engagement — helping you and your team thrive.If you enjoy podcasts like WorkLife with Adam Grant, The Happiness Lab, or Squiggly Careers, you’ll love Happier at Work®