Happier At Work®

How can you leverage individual strengths in your organisation for team success?In the latest episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I have a dynamic discussion with seasoned learning and development consultant, Marijke Kershaw. Marijke delves into the Thriving Index, a groundbreaking tool t hat leverages self-awareness of strengths within the workplace. This tool is not only a game-changer for individual growth but also helps teams unlock their collaborative potential by identifying and harmonising strengths. The conversation spans succession planning, the art of job crafting, and a fresh perspective on personal development—all aimed at fostering a work environment where individuals and organisations thrive.The main points include:Using the Thriving Index for self-awareness and leveraging strengths at work.How the Thriving Index supports organisations in high potential identification and succession planning.The power of recognising and integrating personal "signature strengths" and managing "allowable weaknesses. Marijke's insights on job crafting to align work roles with one’s innate strengths.Strategies for succession planning using "critical role scoring" and creating "success profiles."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 MarijkeWebsiteLinkedInCompany LinkedInConnect with Happier at Work host Aoife O’Brien:WebsiteLinkedIn YouTubePrevious Episodes:Episode 104: The Managers Dilema with Irial O’FarrellEpisode 177: Leveraging Transferable Skills for Career Success with Janine EsbrandEpisode 184: A Framework for Building Happier Work Cultures with Aoife O’Brien

Are you navigating the complex RTO landscape and seeking to optimise your workplace for happier and more productive employees?In today's solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I delve into the ongoing RTO (Return to Office) debate, exploring what it means for leaders and their teams. I provide valuable insights into weighing the pros and cons of returning to the office vs. embracing remote or hybrid models. With my experience in professional services, I encourage leaders to tailor your approaches based on unique organisational cultures and employee preferences, rather than imitating others. Highlighting significant aspects like autonomy, workplace culture, and talent attraction, this episode offers a strategic roadmap for leaders dedicated to fostering a positive and inclusive work environment.The main points include:Understanding the benefits and challenges of RTO, including collaboration and workplace culture.Evaluating productivity in remote vs. office settings.The importance of aligning employee needs with organisational culture.Exploring personal preferences and career impacts when choosing work models.Leadership strategies for listening to and addressing employee preferences.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:Sign up to my newsletter here: https://happieratwork.kit.com/87c84e0c06WebsiteLinkedIn YouTubePrevious Episodes:Episode 70: The Future of Hybrid Remote Working with Jennifer DowlingEpisode 82: Creating a Better Workday with Niamh BradyEpisode 123: The Future of Work: The Remote and Hybrid road with Aoife O’BrienEpisode 207: Gender Equality and Inclusive Leadership with Robert Baker

This is a synopsis of the key points from my conversation with Carol Mannion.The main points:The significance of creatively directing organisational resources for optimal outcomes.The impact of individual actions in driving broader sustainable change within organisations.Exploring the shift from profit-driven mindsets to a more holistic, sustainable approach.Understanding sustainability through the "people, planet, profit" framework and striving for long-term goals.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 CarolEmailInstagramLinkedInWebsiteConnect with Happier at Work host Aoife O’Brien:WebsiteLinkedIn YouTubePrevious Episodes:Episode 193: Nurturing Workplace Culture Lessons in Human-Centred Leadership with Kate Jones

How can you balance profit and sustainability in your organisation?In the latest  episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I was joined by Carol Mannion, a seasoned learning and development consultant, to explore the intricacies of sustainability within corporate functions. Carol delves into the art of resource management, emphasising the need to creatively optimise efforts and budgets for enhanced outcomes. Our discussion sheds light on the transformative power of achieving a state of flow at work, where challenge meets capability, fostering both engagement and motivation. We also explore the broader conversation around sustainability, ESG, and the pivotal role of leadership in modeling sustainable behaviors.Carol defines happiness at work through engagement and motivation brought on by balanced challenges. She discusses the role of leaders in influencing organisational culture and sustainability practices.An introduction to sustainability reporting standards and the importance of genuine improvements beyond certifications.Carol provides encouragement for self-awareness and personal development as tools for achieving sustainability objectives.The main points:The significance of creatively directing organisational resources for optimal outcomes.The impact of individual actions in driving broader sustainable change within organisations.Exploring the shift from profit-driven mindsets to a more holistic, sustainable approach.Understanding sustainability through the "people, planet, profit" framework and striving for long-term goals.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 CarolEmailInstagramLinkedInWebsiteConnect with Happier at Work host Aoife O’Brien:WebsiteLinkedIn YouTubePrevious Episodes:Episode 193: Nurturing Workplace Culture Lessons in Human-Centred Leadership with Kate Jones

This is a synopsis of the key points from my conversation with Erica Anderson Rooney.The main points:Challenges women face in toxic work environments and promoting mental health.Significance of financial independence and planning for transitions.Overcoming people-pleasing, perfectionism, and the journey to authenticity.Introduction to "sticky floors" and recognizing self-imposed barriers.The influence of appearance and societal norms in professional settings.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 EricaWebsiteLinkedInInstagramYouTubeTikTokErica’s PodcastConnect with Happier at Work host Aoife O’Brien:WebsiteLinkedIn YouTubePrevious Episodes:Episode 202: Leveraging Strengths and Setting Boundaries with Lucy Gernon Episode 223: Imposter Syndrome - The Invisible Barrier to Workplace SuccessEpisode 227: Building Confidence and Courage at Work with Ellen Taaffe

Do you want to break free from professional limitations and discover your true worth?In the latest episode of the Happier at Work podcast, we dive into an empowering conversation with Erica Anderson Rooney, an inspiring speaker and author. Erica opens up about the challenges faced by women in toxic work environments, while sharing personal stories of breaking free from people-pleasing and perfectionism to embrace authenticity and growth.Together, we explore the importance of mental health, financial independence, and being deliberate about our career paths to find happiness at work. Erica also introduces the concept of "sticky floors" and how recognising these self-imposed limitations can drive change. This episode is a compelling reminder of recognising our inherent value, overcoming societal barriers, and supporting one another's journeys to the top.Erica emphasises the importance of knowing your worth and addressing undervaluation in women. She believes there is power in vulnerability, seeking help, and building a supportive network. In this episode, Erica gives us an insight into her own personal journey towards self-acceptance and overcoming limiting beliefs.The main points:Challenges women face in toxic work environments and promoting mental health.Significance of financial independence and planning for transitions.Overcoming people-pleasing, perfectionism, and the journey to authenticity.Introduction to "sticky floors" and recognizing self-imposed barriers.The influence of appearance and societal norms in professional settings.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 EricaWebsiteLinkedInInstagramYouTubeTikTokErica’s PodcastConnect with Happier at Work host Aoife O’Brien:WebsiteLinkedIn YouTubePrevious Episodes:Episode 202: Leveraging Strengths and Setting Boundaries with Lucy Gernon Episode 223: Imposter Syndrome - The Invisible Barrier to Workplace SuccessEpisode 227: Building Confidence and Courage at Work with Ellen Taaffe

This is a synopsis of the key points from my conversation with Aaron Doyle during our live recording of the podcast.The main points:The impact of cultural misalignment and the disruption caused by toxic individuals in the workplace.The pivotal role of managers in understanding and addressing employee concerns through one-on-one conversations.The significance of flexible working arrangements and focusing on output rather than input for employee motivation.The importance of aligning career roles with personal and organizational values for job satisfaction.Strategies for creating psychologically safe environments where respect, integrity, and authenticity are the norm.This live recording of the podcast was a huge success! Thank you to everyone who came to the event, and to all of you, our listeners, because without you, events like this would not be possible.Make sure to keep up to date with the podcast and make sure you are following us on social media, so you don’t miss another event like this one.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 AaronLinkedInWebsiteInstagramConnect with Happier at Work host Aoife O’Brien:WebsiteLinkedIn YouTubePrevious Episodes:Episode 210: How can you lead with empathy and work to your strengths with Jacqui JaggerEpisode 218: How can you improve happiness and trust at work with Matt Phelan

How can you navigate the complexities of workplace culture and find true job satisfaction?In this special episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I sat down with Director of People Operations at Johnson Hana Aaron Doyle, in front of our first live studio audience! We explored the intricacies of cultural alignment within the workplace. We delved into the essence of a positive company culture, emphasising authenticity, respect, and integrity as foundational values that drive employee engagement and satisfaction.Aaron shares his insights on navigating cultural misalignment, the importance of understanding personal and organisational values, and how to foster an environment where trust and autonomy prevail. Aoife reflects on her own experiences with workplace culture, underlining the impact of unfulfilled promises and the significance of aligning roles with personal strengths. Together, they advocate for clear communication, respect, and psychological safety as cornerstones of a thriving workplace.The main points:The impact of cultural misalignment and the disruption caused by toxic individuals in the workplace.The pivotal role of managers in understanding and addressing employee concerns through one-on-one conversations.The significance of flexible working arrangements and focusing on output rather than input for employee motivation.The importance of aligning career roles with personal and organizational values for job satisfaction.Strategies for creating psychologically safe environments where respect, integrity, and authenticity are the norm.This live recording of the podcast was a huge success! Thank you to everyone who came to the event, and to all of you, our listeners, because without you, events like this would not be possible.Make sure to keep up to date with the podcast and make sure you are following us on social media, so you don’t miss another event like this one.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 AaronLinkedInWebsiteInstagramConnect with Happier at Work host Aoife O’Brien:WebsiteLinkedIn YouTubePrevious Episodes:Episode 210: How can you lead with empathy and work to your strengths with Jacqui JaggerEpisode 218: How can you improve happiness and trust at work with Matt Phelanhttps://happieratwork.ie/210-how-can-you-lead-with-empathy-and-work-to-your-strengths-with-jacqui-jagger/https://happieratwork.ie/218-how-can-you-improve-happiness-and-trust-at-work-with-matt-phelan/

This is a synopsis of the key points from my conversation with Julie Pham.The main points:The importance of authentic curiosity in conversations.The role of psychological safety at work.The need for vulnerability in sharing personal experiences to foster deeper understanding.Think not just about "what success looks like" but "what success feels like". Embracing curiosity is a powerful step toward enhancing your work-life happiness. Tune in to this episode for actionable insights that could revolutionise your approach at work.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 JulieJulie's TedX TalkBook WebsiteJulie's LinkedInCuriosityBased LinkedInYoutubeWebsiteJulie's InstagramCuriosityBased InstagramFacebookTikTokConnect with Happier at Work host Aoife O’Brien:WebsiteLinkedIn YouTubePrevious Episodes:Episode 194: The power of curiosity unleashing team potential at work with Darrin Tulley.Episode 158: Building an effective communication strategy with internal communications expert Joanna Parsons.

Do you want to enhance curiosity and communication at work?In the latest episode of the Happier at Work podcast I had such an insightful conversation with Julie Pham, founder and head of CuriosityBased. Dive into the world of curiosity with us and discover how it can transform your work environment into a happier, more fulfilling space.Julie delves into the importance of authentic curiosity in conversations, cautioning against performative curiosity. She reminds us that genuine curiosity is essential for meaningful exchanges, fostering an environment where learning and question-asking feel safe.We explored the role of psychological safety at work, where curiosity is encouraged. Julie emphasises that being happier at work means having the freedom to learn, embrace uncertainty, and mutually benefit within a learning organisation.Julie shares her framework for nurturing curiosity through self-awareness, relationship building, and clear communication. She highlights the need for vulnerability in sharing personal experiences to foster deeper understanding.We reflect on societal definitions of success with Julie’s personal story of redefining success. She challenges us to think not just about "what success looks like" but "what success feels like," aligning our goals with both visual and emotional experiences.The main points:The importance of authentic curiosity in conversations.The role of psychological safety at work.The need for vulnerability in sharing personal experiences to foster deeper understanding.Think not just about "what success looks like" but "what success feels like". Embracing curiosity is a powerful step toward enhancing your work-life happiness. Tune in to this episode for actionable insights that could revolutionise your approach at work.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 JulieJulie's TedX TalkBook WebsiteJulie's LinkedInCuriosityBased LinkedInYoutubeWebsiteJulie's InstagramCuriosityBased InstagramFacebookTikTokConnect with Happier at Work host Aoife O’Brien:WebsiteLinkedIn YouTubePrevious Episodes:Episode 194: The power of curiosity unleashing team potential at work with Darrin Tulley.Episode 158: Building an effective communication strategy with internal communications expert Joanna Parsons.