Are there limitations to the wellbeing at work ideology?

In this episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I take a deep dive into the concept of wellbeing in the workplace, challenging the idea that it’s merely a box-ticking exercise. I discuss the Happier at Work framework, which forms the foundation of my upcoming book, and explore how this comprehensive approach can be applied to truly enhance workplace wellbeing.

I explore the common misconceptions surrounding wellbeing initiatives, emphasising the necessity of moving beyond superficial solutions. By addressing values, needs, strengths, and psychological safety, I provide actionable insights into creating a meaningful cultural shift. I want this episode to be an invitation for you to re-evaluate your approach to workplace wellbeing, ensuring that interventions are not just performative but genuinely impact employees' experience and satisfaction.

The main points include:

• Recognition of wellbeing initiatives as often superficial and performative, lacking real impact.
• Examination of misconceptions about the wellbeing space and the importance of moving beyond just ticking boxes.
• Insight into the role of leadership in fostering a supportive work culture where wellbeing can thrive.
• Practical questions and actionable steps for leaders to better understand and meet employee needs.

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:

Website

LinkedIn 

YouTube

Previous Episodes:

Episode 203: National Workplace Wellbeing Day with Aoife O’Brien

Are you missing those behind-the-scenes insights that used to drop each week? Wondering where the Happier at Work®bonus episodes have disappeared to?

In this short solo episode, Aoife shares an exciting update about how to access the exclusive bonus episodes going forward—and why they’ve moved to a private podcast feed. You’ll learn what to expect when you sign up, how the bonus content deepens your experience of the main episodes, and exactly how to access it in less than 30 seconds.

Whether you’re a people leader, HR professional, or simply passionate about workplace culture and career growth, these private episodes are designed to help you reflect, take action, and feel more empowered at work.

What’s Inside:

• Why the bonus episodes have moved
• What kind of content you’ll get each week
• How to sign up for the private podcast feed
• Why it’s free—and how it helps you thrive at work

Get access to the private bonus episodes: Private Feed ad

Delivered straight to your favourite podcast app!

Enjoying the podcast? Share it with a colleague or leave a review—it helps more people find Happier at Work® and build happier, more human workplaces.

The Happier at Work® podcast regular covers topics relating to: career development, workplace culture, imposter syndrome, leadership, employee experience, personal growth, psychological safety, values at work, private podcast, career clarity, professional development.

Do you want to transform your workplace for greater productivity and wellbeing?

In this episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I sat down with Brandon Laws, Vice President of Marketing and Product at Xenium HR. We delve into the changing landscape of the HR profession and how businesses can adapt to the evolving needs of their employees. Brandon shares his journey from operations to leadership at Xenium, highlighting the importance of transforming workplaces to support both business goals and employee well  being.

Throughout the conversation, Brandon reflects on the dual challenges faced by HR professionals today: managing the increasing complexity of compliance and the simultaneous need to foster a supportive and engaging work environment. We explore actionable strategies to enhance employee wellbeing without being overwhelmed by administrative tasks and discuss the transformative power of psychological safety, gratitude, and intentional living in the workplace.

Key takeaways include:

• Embracing a dual focus in HR roles to manage compliance complexities while fostering employee wellbeing.
• The importance of psychological safety and human connection in achieving higher productivity and engagement.
• Tips for outsourcing non-essential tasks to free up time for strategic, impactful work.
• The impact of shifting leadership philosophies and the role of millennials in driving workplace transformations.
• Strategies for overcoming the culture of busyness and promoting a healthier work-life balance.

Tune in to discover how you can create a more fulfilling and effective workplace for yourself and your team!

Here are the books mentioned during the episode:

1. "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie
2. "Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends on It" (author not mentioned)
3. "Enough" (author not mentioned)
4. "What's Going Well" (author not mentioned)
5. "The Let Them Theory" by Mel Robbins
6. "Fierce Self Compassion" (mentioned as being recently started by Aoife, author not specified)

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 Brandon

Instagram

LinkedIn

Website

Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O’Brien:

Website

LinkedIn 

YouTube

Previous Episodes:

Episode 185: How to Prioritise Flexible Work to Thrive with Cali Yost

Episode 195: Workplace Culture Dynamics Creating a Positive Work Environment with Caroline Collins

Mentioned in this episode:

Thriving Talent book

Book

How can you leverage AI use to enhance personal and professional life?

In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I delve into the transformative impact of AI in my own business and personal life. Drawing on a year's experience with AI, particularly the paid version of ChatGPT, I share practical insights and tips on how AI can streamline content creation, adjust tone in professional communication, and provide technical solutions. By exploring real-life examples, I illustrate how AI can support both professional and personal growth without replacing human creativity and critical thinking.

The main points include:

• Personalisation of AI to suit various business needs, from content creation to technical tasks.
• Importance of prompt engineering to maximise AI utility.
• Using AI for brainstorming and generating new ideas for podcast content, social media, and newsletters.
• Examples of AI’s role in personal life, including travel planning, gift suggestions, and personal fitness.
• Cautionary advice on AI policy in corporate settings, privacy, confidentiality, and avoiding plagiarism.
• Insight into overcoming AI’s limitations, such as bias and inaccurate outputs.

Join the conversation and explore how AI can enhance your workplace happiness by freeing up time for meaningful work and human connection. 

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:

Website

LinkedIn 

YouTube

Previous Episodes:

Episode 192: The Power of AI in Behind the Scenes Workflows with Aoife O’Brien

Episode 200: Reskilling DIversity and Building a Happier Workplace with Bhushan Sethi

Episode 250: Leveraging Workplace Trends with Bhushan Sethi

Mentioned in this episode:

Thriving Talent book

Book

How can you foster a more inclusive and innovative workplace in a polarised world?

In the latest episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Bhushan Sethi, a partner at PwC and an adjunct professor at NYU Stern, returns to the podcast. He shares his expert insights on the evolution of workplace trends and challenges, particularly focusing on navigating polarisation, DEI rollbacks, and the impact of AI in the workplace.

Bhushan discusses the persistent uncertainties in today's work environment, highlighting how geopolitical events, technological advancements, and societal issues influence workplace dynamics. He emphasises the importance of open dialogue to foster understanding, innovation, and productivity. Bhushan also shares actionable strategies for maintaining inclusiveness and leveraging AI responsibly to drive business outcomes.

The main points include:

1. Navigating workplace polarisation by fostering open and reasonable dialogue.
2. The impact of evolving technology, particularly AI, on organisational change and workforce skills.
3. The critical role of clear communication in adapting to return-to-office policies.
4. Challenges and opportunities in upskilling and taking a skills-first approach to hiring.
5. The societal and business implications of the rollback of DEI initiatives.

Join us as we explore these pressing issues, where Bhushan shares valuable insights on creating a happier and more productive workplace.

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 Bhushan

TikTok

LinkedIn

Website

Twitter

Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O’Brien:

Website

LinkedIn

YouTube

Previous Episodes:

Episode 50: Bhushan Sethi on the Future of Work

Episode 150: Navigating the New Business Landscape with Bhushan Sethi

Episode 200: Reskilling Diversity and Building a Happier Workplace with Bhushan Sethi

Bonus Episode: Bhushan Sethi on Building a Happier Workplace

Mentioned in this episode:

Thriving Talent book

Book

This is a synopsis of the key points from my conversation with Kelly McDonald.

The main points include:

• The advantages of marketing and selling to people "not like you."
• How an inclusive workplace culture can lead to greater business success.
• The relationship between employee happiness and organisational culture.
• Exploring how diverse thinking drives innovation and business growth.
• Strategies for cultivating a culture where failure is embraced as a learning opportunity.

This episode will help you discover how you can create a happier, more inclusive, and successful work environment.

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 Kelly

Instagram

LinkedIn

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O’Brien:

Website

LinkedIn 

YouTube

Previous Episodes:

Episode 122: Cultivating a mindset for success with Brennan Jacoby

Episode 288: Fostering Genuine Curiosity and Building Trust at Work with Julie Pham

Do you want to embrace a growth mindset and curate more diverse perspectives at work?

In the latest episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I spoke to Kelly McDonald, a seasoned speaker, author, and consultant. With over two decades of experience, Kelly dives deep into the importance of diverse thinking and a growth mindset in fostering a thriving workplace culture. She shares her journey from a corporate professional favour to becoming a recognised authority on leadership, marketing, and culture, revealing how embracing diversity and inclusion can significantly boost both employee satisfaction and business success.

Kelly sheds light on the essential interplay between customer experience and workplace culture, emphasising the competitive edge that businesses gain by treating their employees and customers right. She also discusses the value of inclusive hiring practices and how organisations can truly thrive by fostering a culture where failure is seen as a pathway to learning.

The main points include:

• The advantages of marketing and selling to people "not like you."
• How an inclusive workplace culture can lead to greater business success.
• The relationship between employee happiness and organisational culture.
• Exploring how diverse thinking drives innovation and business growth.
• Strategies for cultivating a culture where failure is embraced as a learning opportunity.

This episode will help you discover how you can create a happier, more inclusive, and successful work environment.

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 Kelly

Instagram

LinkedIn

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O’Brien:

Website

LinkedIn 

YouTube

Previous Episodes:

Episode 122: Cultivating a mindset for success with Brennan Jacoby

Episode 288: Fostering Genuine Curiosity and Building Trust at Work with Julie Pham

This is a synopsis of the key points from my conversation with Matt Shenker, all about managing expectations versus reality when it comes to workplace behaviour and wellbeing.

The main points include:

• The importance of restructuring workplaces to meet the human needs of connection and purpose.
• Understanding the six intrinsic human drives and how they relate to workplace wellbeing.
• The concept of an implementation gap in workplaces, not a knowledge gap.
• The role of leaders in connecting company missions to individual values for greater impact.
• Insights on how AI can organise data to improve workplace systems and processes.
• The significance of recognition in manager-employee relationships to enhance engagement and retention.

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 Matt

Instagram

LinkedIn

Website

Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O’Brien:

Website

LinkedIn 

YouTube

Previous Episodes:

Episode 203: National Workplace Wellbeing Day with Aoife O’Brien

Episode 242: Transforming Mental Health Conversations at Work with Melissa Doman

How can you identify and meet your employees’ needs and improve wellbeing?

In this enlightening episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I engage in a deep conversation with Matt Shenker, a therapist, behaviour scientist, and innovative leader in workplace transformation. Matt shares his personal journey from struggling with addiction to using behaviour science to revolutionise workplace systems. He delves into how modern workplaces are out of sync with human needs and discusses practical strategies to bridge this gap by focusing on connection, purpose, and a more empowered society.

Matt emphasises the importance of restructuring workplaces to satisfy our core needs for connection and purpose while addressing the gaps in knowledge versus implementation. He explores the six intrinsic human drives and how meeting these needs at work can lead to increased motivation, reduced burnout, and a more fulfilled life. We also covered the critical role of leaders in facilitating environments where individuals can align their personal values with their work, ultimately enhancing well-being and performance.

The main points include:

• The importance of restructuring workplaces to meet the human needs of connection and purpose.
• Understanding the six intrinsic human drives and how they relate to workplace wellbeing.
• The concept of an implementation gap in workplaces, not a knowledge gap.
• The role of leaders in connecting company missions to individual values for greater impact.
• Insights on how AI can organise data to improve workplace systems and processes.
• The significance of recognition in manager-employee relationships to enhance engagement and retention.

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 Matt

Instagram

LinkedIn

Website

Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O’Brien:

Website

LinkedIn 

YouTube

Previous Episodes:

Episode 203: National Workplace Wellbeing Day with Aoife O’Brien

Episode 242: Transforming Mental Health Conversations at Work with Melissa Doman

What is the drama triangle and how can you get out of it at work?

In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I dive deep into the psychological concept of the drama triangle, developed in the 1960s. Often unrecognisable at first glance, these unconscious patterns involve the roles of the victim, the persecutor, and the rescuer. I discuss how these dynamics can impact workplace culture, relationships, and overall career progression, and provide insights into recognising these roles and transforming them into more positive interactions.

I share some of my own personal experiences and provide  practical strategies for shifting out of these roles. By moving from victim to creator, transforming persecutors into challengers, and reframing the rescuer's impulse into supportive guidance, you can become equipped with the tools to break free from these limiting patterns. This episode is a must-listen if you’re aiming to create a healthier, more constructive workplace environment.

The Main Points:

• Understanding the roles within the drama triangle: victim, persecutor, and rescuer.
• Recognising patterns of behaviour affecting workplace culture and personal growth.
• Transitioning from victim mode to creator mode for personal empowerment.
• Shifting from being a persecutor to becoming a challenger to support others better.
• Reframing the rescuer role to offer supportive guidance rather than taking over.
• Learning the impact of micromanagement and gossip in perpetuating the drama triangle.
• Practical tips for improving communication and responsibility within team dynamics.

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:

Website

LinkedIn 

YouTube

Previous Episodes:

Episode 239: From Manager to Coach with Jude Sclater