Happier At Work: Leadership, Culture, Performance

Who supports the mental health of leaders in your workplace?

In the latest episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien welcomes back organisational psychologist and leadership mental health expert Melissa Doman. This honest and eye-opening conversation explores why it’s crucial to support not just employees, but leaders as well. Melissa reveals how leaders are often expected to have it all figured out and endlessly support...

Have you ever thought:

“I’m successful on paper… but I don’t feel fulfilled.”

You’ve got the senior title.

The salary is strong.

People respect you.

And yet something feels… off.

In this Listener Question episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O’Brien explores why external career success doesn’t always translate into internal fulfilment — and what to do about it.

If you’re a mid-career or senior leader, particularly in a commercial...

Are you searching for the secret to truly motivating your team?

In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien dives deep into what drives genuine motivation in today’s workplace. Building on previous discussions about workplace culture and psychological safety, Aoife unpacks the "drivers" pillar from her soon-to-be-released Thriving Talent framework. Drawing from research, personal experience, and practical exam...

Most leaders say they want learning.

Most organisations reward certainty.

In this bonus episode, Aoife translates one of the most easily-missed tensions from her conversation with Amy Edmondson: psychological safety doesn’t fail because leaders don’t care, it fails because leaders underestimate how strongly the system nudges people towards silence, agreement, and self-protection.

This isn’t about being “nice”, creating comfort, or run...

Are you creating the right conditions for your team to learn and thrive?

In this episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien is joined by world-renowned expert in psychological safety, Amy Edmondson. Together, they dive deep into what psychological safety truly means in the workplace, why it is essential for organisational learning, innovation, and effective teamwork, and how leaders can practically build it within their t...

In this Listener Question episode of Happier at Work, Aoife O’Brien responds to a question many leaders wrestle with:

How do you know when a workplace is toxic — and when it’s time to leave rather than trying to fix it?

Following this week’s solo episode on how toxic workplaces are created, this conversation focuses on the personal decision leaders face when they’re inside one.

This episode isn’t about resilience or coping strategies....

Have you ever wondered why toxic workplace cultures are so widespread, even when no one sets out to create them?

In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien dives deep into the root causes and far-reaching impact of toxic work environments. Drawing insights directly from her upcoming book, Thriving Talent, Aoife unpacks how unintended toxicity takes hold in organisations, the subtle ways it spreads, and the cr...

Are you struggling with constant busyness and overwhelm at work?

In this week’s bonus episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien breaks down the practical strategies for overcoming stress and maximising impact at work, no matter your role or industry from her conversation with James Louttit, project management expert and author.

Drawing from personal experience and his extensive background leading teams, James reveals how ...

Are you struggling with constant busyness and overwhelm at work?

In the latest episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien sits down with project management expert and author James Louttit for a deep dive into practical strategies for overcoming stress and maximizing impact at work, no matter your role or industry. Drawing from personal experience and his extensive background leading teams, James reveals how shifting from ...

Applying for dozens, or even hundreds, of jobs and still not landing a role can be exhausting, especially when you have 15+ years’ experience and you’re making it to final-stage interviews but not getting the offer.

In this Listener Question episode, Aoife O’Brien answers a question from a mid-career professional navigating job search frustration in a tough market. If you’re getting interviews but not converting them into offers, th...

Are you a leader striving to create a truly positive workplace culture?

In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien dives deep into the real drivers behind workplace culture, moving far beyond value slides and engagement surveys to focus on what’s truly rewarded, tolerated, and repeated in the workplace, especially under pressure. Drawing from her upcoming book, “Thriving Talent,” Aoife shares actionable insig...

Are you struggling to get along with someone at work, no matter how hard you try?

In this, the first bonus episode of 2026, host Aoife O’Brien gives her key takeaways and insights from her conversation with Catherine Stothart, leadership coach and author. Drawing from her extensive experience in leadership development with global organisations and her books on communication and motivation, Catherine shared practical strategies groun...

Are you struggling to get along with someone at work, no matter how hard you try?

In this inspiring episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O'Brien speaks with leadership coach and author Catherine Stothart about the art and science of getting along with just about anyone. Drawing from her extensive experience in leadership development with global organisations and her books on communication and motivation, Catherine shar...

Are you running on fumes as the year comes to a close?

In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien gets real about end-of-year exhaustion, sharing her personal experiences and lessons learned after a hectic, relentless year without a truly restorative break. Drawing from her own journey juggling business demands and book writing, plus research for her upcoming book, Aoife O'Brien explores why so many of us str...

What if we reimagined work as a product, something employees subscribe to, rather than simply a place they show up?

In this thought-provoking episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien sits down with Dart Lindsley, CEO and co-founder of 11fold and host of the Work for Humans podcast. Together, they explore the innovative concept of treating work as a product, challenging traditional management mindsets, and putting employ...

Are you stuck believing that people, or even you, can never change?

In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien dives deep into the powerful concepts of fixed and growth mindsets, drawing on her own experiences and insights from Carol Dweck’s influential book, Mindset. Aoife shares candid reflections on how her default fixed mindset affected her professional choices, how she projected those beliefs onto others...

Are you ready to take charge of your happiness, both at work and in life?

In this episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien sits down with Klaudia Mitura, Learning and Development Manager at the Science Museum Group UK and certified Chief Happiness Officer, to explore the science of happiness. Klaudia reveals how happiness isn’t just “fluffy”, it’s grounded in research and practical habits. She shares her personal journe...

Are you holding yourself back at work by seeking permission instead of stepping into your power?

In this impactful solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien explores the subtle and not so subtle ways we ask for permission in our professional lives. Sparked by a personal conversation with her cousin, Aoife O'Brien reflects on her own tendency to seek approval, especially in seemingly small situations, and how this pa...

Are you actively managing your career, or is your career managing you?

In this episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O’Brien sits down with Sergey Gorbatov, a professor, consultant, and career strategist, for a deep dive into what career success really means and how to take ownership of your professional journey. Together, they explore the critical difference between drifting through your career and intentionally crafti...