Happier At Work®

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 other organisations create happy workplaces. Henry was listed in the Guru Radar of the Thinkers 50 list of the most influential business thinkers in the world. "He is one of the thinkers who we believe will shape the future of business", explained list compiler Stuart Crainer. His book, The Happy Manifesto, was published by Kogan Page in 2013 and short-listed for business book of the year. Manifesto download: https://www.happy.co.uk/the-happy-manifesto/ 30th July Conference: https://www.happy.co.uk/conferences-events/2020-happy-workplaces-conference/ Leadership programme: https://www.happy.co.uk/leadership-and-personal-development/live-online-interactive-learning/happy-workplace-online-leadership-programme/ My social links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien https://twitter.com/Empowerment_IE www.instagram.com/empowermentcoaching.ie

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 become along the journey!” His mission is to Lift Others, helping people discover their potential, embrace a growth mindset and achieve at inspired levels. Mike has transformed businesses and inspired people to perform at levels they didn’t think possible. Mike's known as a great listener and collaborative, creative problem solver. For generating speed and confidence through innovation and transformation. His current endeavors as advisor, consultant and keynote speaker, are shifting the belief in what is possible and opening hearts to a better vision and future of business around the globe. Sharing his extensive career of invention, reinvention and highly complex business combinations, he consistently delivers on the belief that the heart of any organization is People – People drive results. Mike has released his new book, BELIEVERSHIP: The Superpower Beyond Leadership, and is the Founder of HumansFirst. Following many years in advertising and marketing, He launched early stage start-ups & led M&A initiatives for publicly traded tech companies. Five-times he was thrust into the chaos of transformation and helped people navigate the doubt, fear and chaos of significant change. His teams exceeded expectations, consistently beat the challenge, learned a lot and had some fun. www.mjvacanti.com www.humansfirst.club https://www.amazon.com/Believership-Superpower-Beyond-Leadership-Experience/dp/1457571277 My social links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien https://twitter.com/Empowerment_IE www.instagram.com/empowermentcoaching.ie

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 the four-day week, which made headlines around the world). The result has seen him establish 4 Day Week Global and the 4 Day Week Global Foundation with his partner, Charlotte Lockhart. Their vision for this is to provide a community environment for companies, researchers/academics and interested parties to be able to connect and advance this idea as part of the future of work. Through this work he is on the advisory boards of both the US and Ireland 4 Day Week campaigns and the board of the newly created Wellbeing Research Centre at Oxford University. Charlotte Lockhart is a business advocate, investor and philanthropist with more than 25 years’ experience in multiple industries locally and overseas. As CEO for the 4 Day Week Global campaign she works promoting internationally the benefits of a productivity-focused and reduced-hour workplace. Through this, she is on the board of the newly created Wellbeing Research Centre at Oxford University and the advisory boards of the US campaign and the Ireland campaign for the 4 Day Week. Guest links: https://4dayweek.com The event mentioned is happening on Wednesday evening Irish time (17th June) at 10pm https://4dayweek.com/upcoming-events https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewhbarnes/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlottelockhartnz/ https://twitter.com/andrewhbarnes https://twitter.com/lockhart_charli My social links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien https://twitter.com/Empowerment_IE www.instagram.com/empowermentcoaching.ie

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). Dr. Monahan is frequently quoted in the media on talent decision-making and the future of work. She also has written over a dozen publications and is a sought-after speaker on how to apply new management and talent models in knowledge based organizations. Kelly holds a B.S. from Rochester Institute of Technology, M.S. from Roberts Wesleyan College and Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Regent University. Guest links: https://thebigworkplacereset.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-monahan-ph-d-18879413/ My social links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien https://twitter.com/Empowerment_IE www.instagram.com/empowermentcoaching.ie

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-driven businesses will thrive. Charlotte Lockhart from 4 Day Week shares how New Zealand is leading the way in the management of the impact of COVID-19 as well as flexible working, with Jacinda Ardern haven recently advocated for a 4 day week. It's important to keep people in work, and staff can use the extra time for ups killing, building their career or supporting their community. I share my own views on what I see as the opportunities for the future of work - focus more on outcomes, offering flexibility, supporting local and small businesses. Guest links: www.fionaenglishpp.com www.thehomeworker.com www.simonhaigh.com www.4dayweek.com My social links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien https://twitter.com/Empowerment_IE www.instagram.com/empowermentcoaching.ie

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 energetic conference where experts in the field of industry share how they are shaping the future of work and are making life better for everyone in the workplace. To contact Stephen regarding programmes talks or conference details info@happyworkplacesireland.com Stephen’s links: https://twitter.com/HappyWorkplaces https://twitter.com/StephenDargan www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-dargan-happywork Website.: www.wake-up.ie Happy Workplaces Ireland 2020 : www. happyworkplacesireland.com My links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien https://twitter.com/Empowerment_IE www.instagram.com/empowermentcoaching.ie

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 face. Providing feedback. Being a servant leader. Tim Kidd - putting people first - when you put your people first, the business grows, and on the back of that, clients' businesses grow too. It's important that there is a sense of enjoyment at work, that people can make a difference in what they do, showing gratitude, being human at work (in the sense of individualisation - treat each person as an individual rather than a collective). Leadership = clarity, concise, consistent. Trust is very important, as is autonomy (flexibility gives a sense of autonomy). Having a high level of self-awareness, and face to face connection. Asumpta Gallagher - Influence, vision, passion - looking at leadership in a different context, but the same things still apply. Ask for help, start with why. Timen Baart - Trust - Fairness, competence, identification, reciprocity, transparency. The difference and importance of trust in the organisation as well as trust in employees. Saskia Kremer - Personal Leadership - importance of proactivity vs reactivity, having a clear vision, taking time to evaluate/ reflect, celebrate and show gratitude. Jonny Cooper - Teamwork - leader-leader approach, using coaching to empower others, the sacrifice is worth it, purpose/ clarity, matching strengths, openness to feedback, self-awareness, seek to challenge your own thinking, stay consistent. Aoife Lenox - Introverts - it falls on a spectrum. Types of introverts (STAR) social, thinking, anxious, reserved. Quiet leadership. Play to your strengths. Roundup - what makes an effective leader? Clear vision & purpose, strong communication, putting people first/ putting the human back into the workplace, connection, feedback (open to giving and receiving), self-awareness, gratitude, trust/ trustworthiness, clarity & transparency, proactive, working to your strengths.

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://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien https://twitter.com/Empowerment_IE www.instagram.com/empowermentcoaching.ie

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 Ireland senior medals with Dublin, eight Leinster medals and five national league medals. While previously captaining his college team (DCU), his club team (Na Fianna) and Dublin to All Ireland u21 success (2010) and the senior side on several occasions in 2019. Jonny an I talk about teams, from alignment to the overall goal, having clarity of purpose, leader-leader teams, sacrifice, to self-awareness, curiosity, feedback and consistency. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Team-Teams-Rules-Engagement-Complex/dp/1591847486 https://learning.gaa.ie/sites/default/files/National%20Games%20Presentation_AMcNamara%26LWalsh.pdf https://www.linkedin.com/in/cooperjonny/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien https://twitter.com/jcoops https://twitter.com/Empowerment_IE www.instagram.com/empowermentcoaching.ie www.instagram.com/jonnycooper_

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 showing them how to create a bigger vision for their business and life, create clarity on more profitable projects and create higher performing teams. She has worked with countless clients in Europe and continues to build her reach. Her story was featured in National Newspapers and with Irish broadcasters including RTE one with Ryan Tubridy. You will find her speaking and inspiring people at events globally. www.saskia.ie https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien www.empowermentcoaching.ie