

Happier At Work®
Aoife O'Brien
Happier at Work® is the go-to podcast for client-facing leaders who want to create thriving workplaces where people and businesses succeed. Hosted by career and workplace culture strategist Aoife O’Brien, each episode explores the psychology of work, tackling the biggest challenges and opportunities shaping today’s workplace—from leadership and career growth to workplace culture, imposter syndrome, and employee engagement.
Blending expert insights, psychological research, real-world stories, and actionable strategies, Happier at Work® helps you build a career and workplace where people feel valued, supported, and inspired. Guests include leading psychologists, bestselling authors, and professionals like you who are putting these ideas into practice.
Whether you’re a leader looking to create a high-performing team or an ambitious professional navigating career growth, this podcast gives you the tools to drive real change.
🎧 Subscribe now and join the movement!
Blending expert insights, psychological research, real-world stories, and actionable strategies, Happier at Work® helps you build a career and workplace where people feel valued, supported, and inspired. Guests include leading psychologists, bestselling authors, and professionals like you who are putting these ideas into practice.
Whether you’re a leader looking to create a high-performing team or an ambitious professional navigating career growth, this podcast gives you the tools to drive real change.
🎧 Subscribe now and join the movement!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 14, 2023 • 56min
151: Transformational leadership: the secret to leading and achieving with Aoife Donovan Lee
Have you ever wondered how leaders clear the path to success? Joining the podcast this week is special guest Aoife Donovan Lee, a leadership and development expert. Aoife shares insights on the importance of transformational leadership in the workplace and explores women's challenges when returning to the workplace. Drawing from her career journey, Aoife emphasises the power of networking and empathy in business and dives into the four pillars of transformational leadership, the Skill/Will Matrix, and prioritising mental health and well-being in the workplace. Further key points throughout include: - An introduction to Aoife Donovan Lee- Your network is your net worth: networking and building connections- The challenges women face reentering the workforce - The power of cultivating empathy in business- Leadership styles: Why leaders should set expectations from the get-go- The Skill/Will Matrix: How to deal with micromanagement - How to smoothly transition into a management role- The key to achieving through others - How to find the balance between operational and managerial time- What does being happier at work mean to AoifeTHE LISTENERS SAY:Do you have any feedback or thoughts on this discussion? If so, please connect with Aoife via the links below and let her know. Aoife would love to hear from you! "When you have a manager who truly believes in your potential more than you believe in yourself, you're unstoppable as an individual contributor or as an employee of that team manager." _ Aoife Donovan Lee. Resources: Book: The Tao of Coaching by Max Landsberghttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Tao-Coaching-Effectiveness-Inspiring-Developing/dp/1781253323 Connect with Aoife Donovan Lee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifedonovanlee https://www.donovanlearning.com/ Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O'Brien: https://www.happieratwork.iehttps://www.impostersyndrome.ie https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrienhttps://www.twitter.com/HappierAtWorkHQhttps://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.iehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/happieratworkpodcast

Apr 7, 2023 • 39min
150: Navigating the new business landscape with Bhushan Sethi
To celebrate episode 150 of Happier at Work, friend and previous podcast guest Bhushan Sethi is here to catch up and share insightful commentary on the challenges and opportunities facing businesses and workers in this post-pandemic economy. From navigating hybrid work arrangements to supporting caregivers, Bhushan emphasises the need for progressive businesses to lead by example and embrace technology to build a more resilient and agile workforce. With a focus on inclusivity and human leadership skills, this podcast offers practical solutions for businesses and workers to thrive in the face of uncertainty. Further key points throughout include: - An introduction and catch-up with Bhushan Sethi- The role of technology during the Covid-19 Pandemic - Is the five-day office working week a thing of the past? - Is hybrid working here to stay?- Navigating through a new era of leadership- The challenge of talent onboarding - The future of work and ESG THE LISTENERS SAY:Do you have any feedback or thoughts on this discussion? If so, please connect with Aoife via the links below and let her know. Aoife would love to hear from you! "Technology has been great, but technology is also a big sense of fear. It's a sense of hype. But I think it's really important for businesses and workers listening in to say, how am I staying relevant around different forms of technology? And how can it not be feared, but how can it actually augment what I do?" – Bhushan Sethi.Connect with Bhushan Sethi:https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhushansethi/ https://twitter.com/bhushansethi1 Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O'Brien: https://www.happieratwork.iehttps://www.impostersyndrome.ie https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrienhttps://www.twitter.com/HappierAtWorkHQhttps://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.iehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/happieratworkpodcast

Mar 31, 2023 • 1h 3min
149: Discovering Your Motive Mindset with Kelly Mackin
Are you longing to find satisfaction in your work? Should feeling connected, engaged & fulfilled at work be such a struggle? Joining Aoife this week is special guest Kelly Mackin, a workplace well-being and culture leader and co-founder of Motives Met. Kelly discusses the importance of autonomy, purpose, well-being and connection in job satisfaction and offers a wonderful framework for leaders to have meaningful conversations with their employees. By embracing motive diversity and creating a psychologically safe workplace, listeners will discover how to identify and meet their needs and increase engagement, loyalty and retention within their organisations. Further key points throughout include: - An introduction to Kelly Mackin - Kelly's journey of ill-being at work- The non-BS approach to workplace well-being - The 28 primary human needs that create well-being at work- How leaders can create a thriving environment - Effective leadership: why tough conversations need to happen- The importance of prioritising well-being - The best way to build psychological safety at work - What being happier at work means to Kelly THE LISTENERS SAY:Do you have any feedback or thoughts on this discussion? If so, please connect with Aoife via the links below and let her know. Aoife would love to hear from you! "It took hitting rock bottom for me to wake up and get clarity. Everybody deserves well-being at work. At the time, I very much had the mindset you have to earn well-being. You have to work your way up and get to that place. And then maybe you can be happy and healthy. Again, this is something that many of us grew up thinking. This is just the way it is, right? Just power through and be tough. You're not supposed to be super happy at work. You're not supposed to get your needs met there. So it was quite a mindset shift." - Kelly Mackin.Connect with Kelly Mackin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-mackin-52793110/ https://www.motivesmet.com/ Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O'Brien: https://www.happieratwork.iehttps://www.impostersyndrome.ie https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrienhttps://www.twitter.com/HappierAtWorkHQhttps://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.iehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/happieratworkpodcast

Mar 24, 2023 • 18min
148: The pursuit of success with Aoife O'Brien
In our fast-paced world, success is often defined by external factors such as job titles, salaries, and material possessions. In this week's solo episode, your host Aoife O'Brien challenges this definition and encourages you to redefine success on your own terms. Whilst exploring the concept of success, Aoife questions whether it is a never-ending pursuit and discusses the importance of recognising the hard work that goes into achieving success and not falling into the trap of believing in overnight success. Further key points throughout include: - What does success mean to you?- Is the road to success a never-ending journey? - The importance of living in the present moment - The benefits of working in alignment with your values- The key to redefining success and the power of human connection THE LISTENERS SAY:Do you have any feedback or thoughts on this discussion? If so, please connect with Aoife via the links below and let her know. Aoife would love to hear from you! "If you keep pursuing more and more and more, how do you know when you get there if you keep changing the goalposts for yourself." – Aoife O'Brien.Resources: Book: Enough by John Naish https://www.amazon.co.uk/Enough-Breaking-Free-World-Excess/dp/0340935928 Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O'Brien: https://www.happieratwork.iehttps://www.impostersyndrome.ie https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrienhttps://www.twitter.com/HappierAtWorkHQhttps://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.iehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/happieratworkpodcast

Mar 17, 2023 • 1h 1min
147: From Burnout to Bliss: Building a culture of well-being with Lesley Cooper
Are you tired of feeling overwhelmed and stressed out at work? We know how tough that can be, and this week's guest Lesley Cooper is here to help you leap from burnout to bliss. Lesley is the proud owner of WorkingWell Limited, which helps businesses across the globe create engaged and energised cultures whilst supporting sustainable and healthy performance levels. Get ready to discover how employee well-being and performance are increasingly intertwined within the modern workplace. Lesley shares fascinating insights on creating a psychologically safe culture and emphasises the importance of addressing work-related stress, recognising internal narratives, and prioritising physical and emotional well-being. Further key points throughout include: - An introduction to Lesley Cooper- The red flags of workplace toxicity and creeping irritabilities - Minding your well-being: the pressure of busyness- Psychological safety: are you bringing your authentic self to work? - Stretch to Strain: Pressure VS Stress VS Growth - Why you need to protect your mind, body and energy- The importance of creating an environment of well-beingTHE LISTENERS SAY:Do you have any feedback or thoughts on this discussion? If so, please connect with Aoife via the links below and let her know. Aoife would love to hear from you! "What happens when you put human beings under consistent pressure to achieve more with less and less is that they eventually check out emotionally. There's a defence mechanism in that because we like to win, we are mission-driven. You need a certain amount of success. You need to feel that you've made a contribution to feel that you've achieved something." – Lesley Cooper. Resources: Listen back to previous Happier at Work episodes related to psychological safety in the workplace: https://happieratwork.ie/happier-at-work-69-psychological-safety-and-effective-team-dynamics-with-duena-blomstrom/ https://happieratwork.ie/happier-at-work-66-workplace-psychological-safety-with-susan-ni-chriodain/ Connect with Lesley Cooper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesley-cooper-5536302/ https://www.workingwell.co.uk/ Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O'Brien: https://www.happieratwork.iehttps://www.impostersyndrome.ie https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrienhttps://www.twitter.com/HappierAtWorkHQhttps://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.iehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/happieratworkpodcast

Mar 10, 2023 • 1h 3min
146: The secret to working smarter, not harder with Sanja Licina
Do you ever feel like work is overwhelming, and you're unsure what to do next? Fear not, as Sanja Lacina, Organisational psychologist, and President of QuestionPro Workforce, is here to help! Learn about Sanja's journey from Serbia to success, the importance of identifying the best way to fit work into your life and filling your own cup first. Sanja shares the secret to working smarter, not harder and how to prioritise self-care and relationships and also reveals the magic that can happen when you create a supportive and inclusive environment for employees. So, if you are looking for an extra boost of motivation to help take your career or organisation to the next level, this episode is for you. Further key points include:- An introduction to Sanja Licina- Achieving personal and professional ambitions - Embracing humanity within the workplace - The key to authenticity and emotional support in business - Identifying your needs and speaking up at work- What is your definition of success? - Communication in the workplace: The importance of continuous listening- The attraction of inclusive cultures: Are you masking your true self at work?- The future of work and 'empathy at scale.'- What being happier at work means to SanjaTHE LISTENERS SAY:Do you have any feedback or thoughts on this discussion? If so, please connect with Aoife via the links below and let her know. Aoife would love to hear from you! "Part of my mission in life is to make others happy. But how can you help make others happy If you're not? I think it's possible, but it's really, really difficult." – Sanja Licina. Resources: Listen back: Unlocking True Happiness at work with Aoife O'Brienhttps://happieratwork.ie/79-unlocking-true-happiness-at-work-with-aoife-obrien/ Connect with Sanja Licina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjalicina Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O'Brien: https://www.happieratwork.iehttps://www.impostersyndrome.ie https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrienhttps://www.twitter.com/HappierAtWorkHQhttps://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.iehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/happieratworkpodcast

Mar 3, 2023 • 51min
145: Emotional salary: seeing beyond the paycheck with Marisa Elizundia
Since the arrival of the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic, there is no doubt that the way we work is swiftly changing. Is money the key to unlocking happiness? Joining Aoife this week is special guest Marisa Elizundia. Marisa is a people development coach and creator of the Emotional Salary Barometer.Through research-based insights, practical advice, and real-life examples, Marisa discusses taking personal responsibility for your work experience and reveals how you can become more empowered in your career. Get ready to unlock how you can become happier at work by maximising the non-financial benefits of your job. Further key points throughout include: - An introduction to Marisa Elizundia- Aside from money, why do people work?- An overview of the Emotional Salary Barometer tool- How leaders can impact your emotional salary - The knowing-doing gap: what is holding you back?- How empowered employees are influencing the future of work - Why taking responsibility for your experience at work matters - Are self-limiting beliefs blocking you from opportunities? - What being happier at work means to Marisa THE LISTENERS SAY:Do you have any feedback or thoughts on this discussion? If so, please connect with Aoife via the links below and let her know. Aoife would love to hear from you! " I always say that if you want to increase your emotional salary, start by increasing the emotional salary of others. Because once you do that, you're going to see firsthand the impact it has on others, and also the impact it has on you." – Marisa Elizundia. Resources: Book: The Go Giver by bob Burg and John David Mannhttps://www.amazon.com/Go-Giver-Expanded-Little-Powerful-Business/dp/1591848288 Book: Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkemanhttps://www.amazon.com/Four-Thousand-Weeks-Management-Mortals/dp/0374159122 Connect with Marisa Elizundia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salarioemocional/ https://emotional-salary.com/ Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O'Brien: https://www.happieratwork.iehttps://www.impostersyndrome.ie https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrienhttps://www.twitter.com/HappierAtWorkHQhttps://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.iehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/happieratworkpodcast

Feb 24, 2023 • 16min
144: Honouring women making waves with Aoife O'Brien
With International Women's Day fast approaching, today's episode honours and celebrates women at work and empowering women in the workplace. In this solo special, tune in to hear valuable insights that have been shared from three female experts who are making waves in their industries, Paula Sheridan, Niamh Hannan and Carla Miller. Learn how to stop being overlooked and underappreciated, take radical responsibility for your career, strengthen your influence, and much more! Further key points throughout include: - Are you being underappreciated at work? - The gift of feedback: Why you should seek out feedback in the workplace- Recognising and celebrating your success - Supporting women in work and tackling a broken system in an organisation- Leadership traits and cultivating self-awareness- Choosing collaboration over competition - Get ready to put on your cloak of authority! - Your personal brand: What are people saying about you? THE LISTENERS SAY:Do you have any feedback or thoughts on this discussion? If so, please connect with Aoife via the links below and let her know. Aoife would love to hear from you! "There's a lot of this talk about supporting women to reach more senior positions and supporting women in leadership. But it's not a great idea to support women to leadership positions if they're in a situation where the system is broken, it's very male-dominated, and it's very patriarchal." – Aoife O'Brien. Resources: Episode 138: Stop being overlooked at work with Paula Sheridan https://happieratwork.ie/138-stop-being-overlooked-at-work-with-paula-sheridan/ Episode 139: The broken pieces of the workplace with Niamh Hannanhttps://happieratwork.ie/139-the-broken-pieces-of-the-workplace-with-niamh-hannan/ Episode 141: Take radical responsibility of your career with Carla Miller https://happieratwork.ie/take-radical-responsibility-of-your-career-with-carla-miller/ Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O'Brien: https://www.happieratwork.iehttps://www.impostersyndrome.ie https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrienhttps://www.twitter.com/HappierAtWorkHQhttps://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.iehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/happieratworkpodcast

Feb 17, 2023 • 48min
143: The insider-outsider strategy to success with Andrew Bartlow
Are you feeling uninspired or disconnected in your role? HR leadership coach Andrew Bartlow is here to share his wealth of knowledge gained over the past 25 years to help you maximise your work impact, smash your targets and become a more strategic leader. Not working in HR? Fear not, this episode is packed with nuggets that can be applied to any level of profession. Throughout, Andrew delves into the unique position HR professionals often find themselves in, offers valuable time management hacks, and shares steps you can implement to shift your mindset, make your mark, and create a happier working environment for all. Further key points throughout include: - An introduction to Andrew Bartlow - How human resources professionals are insider-outsiders - An insight into human resource management challenges- The secret to developing a strategic thinking mindset- Recruitment strategies for hiring the right talent - The impact of disconnected goals in the workplace - Waterfall planning: the importance of recruitment, retention and productivity - The key to becoming a valued team member- What being Happier at Work means to Andrew "You can be as successful as you choose to be if you are willing to allow yourself to adapt and shape over time. Being strategic is a choice." – Andrew Bartlow. THE LISTENERS SAY:Do you have any feedback or thoughts on this discussion? If so, please connect with Aoife via the links below and let her know. Aoife would love to hear from you! Resources: Book: Scaling for Success by Andrew Bartlow and T. Brad Harris https://www.amazon.co.uk/Scaling-Success-Priorities-High-Growth-Organizations/dp/0231194447 Access your FREE People Leader Accelerator guides today:https://www.peopleleaderaccelerator.com/guidesUse the code Podcast to access one of the guides for FREEConnect with Andrew Bartlow:https://www.linkedin.com/in/bartlow/ https://www.seriesbconsulting.com https://speakonpodcasts.com/andrew-bartlow/ https://www.peopleleaderaccelerator.com Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O'Brien: https://www.happieratwork.iehttps://www.impostersyndrome.ie https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrienhttps://www.twitter.com/HappierAtWorkHQhttps://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.iehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/happieratworkpodcast

Feb 10, 2023 • 1h 2min
142: Shifting from a people-first to people-centric culture with Gustavo Razzetti
Are you confident that your organisation follows a people-centric approach to its culture? If the answer is no, you must stop giving employees what they want and give them what they need. Here to guide you through the people-centric culture shift is speaker, author, founder, and culture consultant Gustavo Razzetti. Gustavo is the originator of Fearless Culture, an organisation that redesigns workplace culture that makes collaboration, agility, and innovation thrive at their peak. Culture is about helping people do their best work. Throughout the discussion, Gustavo defines the root issues associated with poor culture, the approaches required to amend these problems, and the benefits of creating change. Gustavo also explores the gift of feedback, clears the smoke and mirrors of employees' expectations, and offers realistic and actionable advice for optimising organisational performance. Further key points include: - An introduction to Gustavo Razzetti- The Workplace culture conundrum: addressing the leadership gap- Self-Awareness and fearlessness for culture transformation- Embracing feedback as an opportunity for learning and growth- Fixing Mode: How questions are the solution - An insight into the blameless postmortem model and mistake policies- Breaking the culture of fear and redefining the concept of hard work- Working methods: Deep Work vs Shallow Work - Virtual Presenteeism in this new working era - How experimental leaders can influence the organisational culture- What Being Happier at Work Means to Gustavo"Questions are better than solutions, as they help people clarify what they're going through." - Gustavo Razzetti. THE LISTENERS SAY:Do you have any feedback or thoughts on this discussion? If so, please connect with Aoife via the links below and express your thoughts. Aoife would love to hear from you! Resources: Insight: Why We're Not as Self-Aware as We Think, and How Seeing Ourselves Clearly Helps Us Succeed at Work and in Life by Dr. Tasha https://www.amazon.com/Insight-Self-Aware-Ourselves-Clearly-Succeed/dp/0451496817 Insight: The Power of Self-Awareness in a Self-Deluded World by Dr. Tasha https://www.amazon.com/Insight-Power-Self-Awareness-Self-Deluded-World/dp/1509839623 Remote Not Distant by Gustavo Razzetti https://www.amazon.com/Remote-Not-Distant-Company-Workplace/dp/0999097393/ Connect with Gustavo Razzetti https://gustavorazzetti.com/ https://twitter.com/GusRazzetti https://www.fearlessculture.design/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gustavorazzetti/ Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O'Brien: https://www.happieratwork.iehttps://www.impostersyndrome.ie https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrienhttps://www.twitter.com/HappierAtWorkHQhttps://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.iehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/happieratworkpodcast