Happier At Work®

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 role of HR and the damage of broken promises - How to deal with job dissatisfaction and pressure at work- Qualities of an effective manager - The rising issue of workplace bullying and organisational politics - The importance of maximising your strengths at work ‘’The thing about toxic work environments is that sometimes they’re just toxic. But sometimes it’s just that it’s not a good fit for you individually.’’ – Aoife O’Brien. 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! 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

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 business - The importance of emotional intelligence and self-awareness- Own your voice and make the world better- A permission workplace culture: How leaders can allow organisations to thrive- How psychological safety begins with you- Seven areas of well-being and three V’s of courageous leadership - Ignite your empathetic leadership skills - What Happier at Work means to Lisa Marie‘’The expectation that I had in law enforcement when I showed up on the job was people expected me to be compassionate and not competent. Because in my female body, the expectation was that I would be compassionate. And yet, when they got somebody direct, they were like, hey, that doesn’t compute with my brain.’’ – Lisa Marie Platske. 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:https://www.danielgoleman.info/ Listen Back: Previous Happier at Work episodes: #66: Workplace Psychological safety with Susan Ni Chriodain https://happieratwork.ie/happier-at-work-66-workplace-psychological-safety-with-susan-ni-chriodain/ #69: Psychological Safety and Effective Team Dynamics with Duena Blomstromhttps://happieratwork.ie/happier-at-work-69-psychological-safety-and-effective-team-dynamics-with-duena-blomstrom/ Connect with Lisa Marie Platske:http://upsidethinking.com/https://www.facebook.com/lisa.marie.platskehttps://www.facebook.com/UpsideThinkerConnect 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

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 employee well-being- To access Aoife’s Imposter Syndrome report in full, visit https://impostersyndrome.ie/report to download your free copy. 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:Aoife O’Brien’s Imposter Syndrome Survey Report:https://www.impostersyndrome.ie/report Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O’Brien: https://www.impostersyndrome.ie https://www.happieratwork.iehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrienhttps://www.twitter.com/HappierAtWorkHQhttps://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.iehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/happieratworkpodcast

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 working environment- Dealing with ‘bad apples’ in the workplace- Climbing the corporate ladder and being greeted with workplace isolation at the top - The biggest challenge of organisational culture and team dynamics- Can a pay rise buy you happiness at work?- How storytelling can transform business relationships - What Happier at Work means to Bruce and the concept of the laughter barometer ‘’We’re entering an era where work might be a smaller part of our identity than it has been till now. But we’re also entering an era where left unchecked, we could be lonelier and more disconnected than ever before.’’ – Bruce Daisley. 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: Bruce Daisley podcast: Eat, Sleep, Work, Repeathttps://eatsleepworkrepeat.com/category/podcast/ Book: Bowling Alone by Robert D. Putnamhttp://bowlingalone.com/ Book: What You Do Is Who You Are by Ben Horowitzhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/What-You-Do-Who-Are/dp/0062871331 Book: The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker https://www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Gathering-How-Meet-Matters/dp/1594634920 Gallup: The increasing importance of a Best Friend at Workhttps://www.gallup.com/workplace/397058/increasing-importance-best-friend-work.aspx https://themoth.org/ Connect with Bruce Daisley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucedaisley/ https://eatsleepworkrepeat.com/ https://www.findfortitude.net/ https://twitter.com/brucedaisley Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O’Brien: https://www.happieratwork.iehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrienhttps://www.twitter.com/HappierAtWorkHQhttps://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.iehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/happieratworkpodcast

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 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:Listen back: Employee Recognition: the key to a happy workplace with Aoife O’Brienhttps://happieratwork.ie/119-employee-recognition-the-key-to-a-happy-workplace-with-aoife-obrien/ Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O’Brien: https://www.happieratwork.iehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrienhttps://www.twitter.com/HappierAtWorkHQhttps://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.iehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/happieratworkpodcast

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 of interruptions: How often do you get interrupted a day?- Transferring knowledge with the power of Scribe - Managing time effectively and tackling collaboration overload at work - The addiction of busy and overcoming pressure on slower working days- The solution to distraction and collaboration overload- How to encourage accountability in the workplace.- Challenge: Stay focused at work with the post-it note technique- How to take charge of your workload - What does productivity mean to you? What are you trying to achieve?- What Happier at Work means to Jennifer‘’You could go the entire day having helped a whole bunch of people and done a bunch of work or felt like you helped a bunch of people, and certainly like, you know, put a lot of hours into it, but not actually have moved the ball forward on whatever it is that you’re trying to achieve and what you’re trying to do.’’ – Jennifer Smith. 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! Connect with Jennifer Smith:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferreneesmith/ Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O’Brien: https://www.happieratwork.iehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrienhttps://www.twitter.com/HappierAtWorkHQhttps://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.iehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/happieratworkpodcast

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 - Disconnecting from the 9-5 working culture “Most people overestimate what they can do in a year, and they underestimate what they can do in two or three decades.’’ – Tony Robbins. LEAD WITH EASE: HOW TO BE A HAPPIER MORE EFFECTIVE LEADERJoin Aoife O’Brien from Happier at Work and Niamh Brady from Better Workday for Lead with Ease, an online workshop specifically designed for people managers. This exclusive online event takes place on 25th and 26th of October. By the end of the two sessions, you will have strategies and tools to lead well and support your well-being. Secure your seat TODAY!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:Listen back: Travelling and working remotely with Aoife O’Brien https://happieratwork.ie/93-travelling-and-working-remotely-with-aoife-obrien/ Listen back: Our right to unplug and disconnect with Chris Flackhttps://happieratwork.ie/090-our-right-to-unplug-and-disconnect-with-chris-flack/ Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O’Brien: https://www.happieratwork.iehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrienhttps://www.twitter.com/HappierAtWorkHQhttps://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.iehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/happieratworkpodcast

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 listening is vital in business- Striking a balance between human interaction and AI- Removing obstacles from the recruitment process- Combining HR with assistive technology- Mastering your approach to hiring and maintaining company talent - Mapping a candidate and customer journey- The benefits of automated processes in the workplace- An insight into boss, concept and culture- Championing the champions of talent- What happier at work means to Josh ‘’The data says that people typically apply to 12 jobs around the same time. So, if you can be the first to get back and start communicating there, I think it gives you an advantage to move through.’’ – Josh Secrest. 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! Connect with Josh Secrest:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-secrest-44b0042/ https://www.paradox.ai/ Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O’Brien: https://www.happieratwork.iehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrienhttps://www.twitter.com/HappierAtWorkHQhttps://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.iehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/happieratworkpodcast

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 connection and collaboration within an organisation 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:MIT Sloan management review https://sloanreview.mit.edu/ Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O’Brien: https://www.happieratwork.iehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrienhttps://www.twitter.com/HappierAtWorkHQhttps://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.iehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/happieratworkpodcast

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 become a better leader and wish to build deeper connections, you will thoroughly enjoy this episode. Key points throughout the discussion include:- An introduction to Jerome Deroy- The importance of listening and storytelling in the workplace - The three elements of career satisfaction - How to create a safe space for storytelling and overcome obstacles to effective listening - How to effectively express your origin story - How integrating storytelling can benefit the employee onboarding process- Why living values in the workplace matter- Establishing a sense of belonging in the workplace and having permission to speak up - What Happier at Work means to Jerome. “Once you create that open listening environment, you get stories that come up that are really specific, really unique, and universal. That’s kind of the magic of it, I feel.” – Jerome DeroyTHE 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: Powered by Storytelling by Murray Nosselhttps://narativ.com/resources/book/ StoryTalks podcast https://narativ.com/podcast/ Connect with Jerome Deroy:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeromederoy/ https://twitter.com/jeromederoy https://www.narativ.com/ Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O’Brien: https://www.happieratwork.iehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrienhttps://www.twitter.com/HappierAtWorkHQhttps://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.iehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/happieratworkpodcast