What truly drives high performing teams at work?

In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O'Brien explores the power of trust as the essential foundation for high performing teams. Aoife dives deep into why trust matters more than intelligence, technology, or resources, and shares research-backed insights, including Gallup's findings and Google’s Project Aristotle, that highlight psychological safety as the key differentiator for exceptional teams. Through actionable strategies and common pitfalls, Aoife offers practical ways to build and rebuild trust, fostering a culture where ordinary people achieve extraordinary results.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

• Why trust is the foundational driver of high performance, engagement, and collaboration within teams.
• Practical steps to build trust include being reliable and consistent, communicating transparently, showing vulnerability, recognising contributions, and empowering team members.
• How to empower your team by giving autonomy and avoiding micromanagement; trust grows when individuals feel ownership over their work.

Related Topics Covered:

Psychological Safety, Personal Responsibility, Expectations at Work

 Connect with Aoife O’Brien | Host of Happier at Work®:

• Website 
• LinkedIn 
• YouTube 

Related Episodes You’ll Love:

Episode 66: Workplace Psychological Safety with Susan Ní Chriodain

Episode 69: Psychological Safety & Effective Team Dynamics with Duena Blomstrom

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 Identity

Imposter Identity