Aoife O’Brien

Rounding up the Top 10 podcast episodes of the Happier at Work podcast for the year has become a tradition! The best/ most listened to episodes are normally the topics that really resonate with podcast listeners and are promoted by guests.

One of the biggest talent mistakes companies make isn't hiring the wrong person. It's promoting someone to management and not investing in them as a leader. Most organizations look at leadership development as a cost. It's not. It's an investment — and the math will surprise you. Think about this. When a manager isn't equipped to lead, it doesn't just affect them. Think about the 8 people they're managing. The disengagement. The quiet exits. The institutional knowledge that walks out the door. Replacing even one high performer can cost 30 to 200% of their salary. A few thousand dollars in manager development could save your organization hundreds of thousands in turnover. That's not a training budget. That's an ROI conversation. The best leaders don't ask: "Can we afford to invest in our people?" They ask: "Can we afford not to?" This is one of the areas we go deep on in the great conversation I had with Aoife O'Brien on the Happier at Work Podcast (@HappierAtWorkHQ). We also cover: - The trap of promoting your best individual contributor into management - How AI can make every employee a better learner and every leader a better coach - Why learning doesn't have to be formal and how to build it into the flow of work Listen or watch here - youtu.be/8XxmEuurCs0?si…

Work isn’t just a paycheck-it’s purpose. @HappierAtWorkHQ shares how meaning at work sparks engagement, happiness, and success. Listen to ‘Purpose at Work’ today. #FutureOfWork #PurposeDriven" youtube.com/watch?v=hhSP8J…

To build trust, you don’t need more values on the wall. You need values people can see in behavior. Latest on #TheLearnItAllPodcast: Aoife O’Brien, host of the Happier at Work podcast (@HappierAtWorkHQ) and founder of Happier at Work, joins me this week to talk about her upcoming book, Thriving Talent, and why values only work when they are lived. When leaders say “respect” is a value but don’t call out disrespectful behavior, people notice the mismatch and mistrust grows. Whether it’s translating values into observable actions, addressing gaps in the moment, or making accountability feel consistent instead of selective, Aoife shares a simple truth. Culture is not what you say. It’s what you allow. Trust isn’t declared. It’s demonstrated. Watch or Listen – learnit.com/podcast/276-ao…

Last quarter I rolled out Microsoft Copilot to 4,000 employees. $30 per seat per month. $1.4 million annually. I called it "digital transformation." The board loved that phrase. They approved it in eleven minutes. No one asked what it would actually do. Including me. I told everyone it would "10x productivity." That's not a real number. But it sounds like one. HR asked how we'd measure the 10x. I said we'd "leverage analytics dashboards." They stopped asking. Three months later I checked the usage reports. 47 people had opened it. 12 had used it more than once. One of them was me. I used it to summarize an email I could have read in 30 seconds. It took 45 seconds. Plus the time it took to fix the hallucinations. But I called it a "pilot success." Success means the pilot didn't visibly fail. The CFO asked about ROI. I showed him a graph. The graph went up and to the right. It measured "AI enablement." I made that metric up. He nodded approvingly. We're "AI-enabled" now. I don't know what that means. But it's in our investor deck. A senior developer asked why we didn't use Claude or ChatGPT. I said we needed "enterprise-grade security." He asked what that meant. I said "compliance." He asked which compliance. I said "all of them." He looked skeptical. I scheduled him for a "career development conversation." He stopped asking questions. Microsoft sent a case study team. They wanted to feature us as a success story. I told them we "saved 40,000 hours." I calculated that number by multiplying employees by a number I made up. They didn't verify it. They never do. Now we're on Microsoft's website. "Global enterprise achieves 40,000 hours of productivity gains with Copilot." The CEO shared it on LinkedIn. He got 3,000 likes. He's never used Copilot. None of the executives have. We have an exemption. "Strategic focus requires minimal digital distraction." I wrote that policy. The licenses renew next month. I'm requesting an expansion. 5,000 more seats. We haven't used the first 4,000. But this time we'll "drive adoption." Adoption means mandatory training. Training means a 45-minute webinar no one watches. But completion will be tracked. Completion is a metric. Metrics go in dashboards. Dashboards go in board presentations. Board presentations get me promoted. I'll be SVP by Q3. I still don't know what Copilot does. But I know what it's for. It's for showing we're "investing in AI." Investment means spending. Spending means commitment. Commitment means we're serious about the future. The future is whatever I say it is. As long as the graph goes up and to the right.

On this week's episode of the "Find Your Dream Job" #CareerPodcast, guest expert Aoife O'Brien of @HappierAtWorkHQ shares how understanding your values, needs, and strengths first leads to happier career moves with her "Know, Show, Grow" framework. 🎧ow.ly/yO4750WCjUY

Before you apply for a job, ask yourself: Do I know my values, needs, and strengths? On this week's episode of the "Find Your Dream Job" #CareerPodcast, my guest @HappierAtWorkHQ says without self-knowledge, you might end up in the same unhappy situation. ow.ly/z4AX50WATRk

The first step to finding work that makes you happy isn't browsing job boards — it's knowing yourself! Guest expert Aoife O'Brien of @HappierAtWorkHQ shares her "Know, Show, Grow" framework on this week's episode of the "Find Your Dream Job" podcast. 🎧 ow.ly/iyqI50WATC9

Congrats @happieratworkhq Your podcast has been selected as one of the 70 Best Workplace Podcasts and 10 Best Leadership Podcasts Ireland Edition 2025 on the web by @_feedspot podcast.feedspot.com/workplace_podc… podcast.feedspot.com/ireland_leader…

🎧 Top 100 Employee Engagement Podcasts of 2025! 🎧 🔗 Full list here: millionpodcasts.com/Employee-Engag… Perfect for building culture, boosting productivity, and retaining talent in the modern workplace 👥🏢🚀 🎧 Why use this list? ✅ Direct access to top employee engagement podcasts 🎙️💼 ✅ Save hours of research—contacts all in one place ⏳⚡ ✅ Perfect for PR pros, HR leaders, & internal comms teams 📣👔 📢 Big shoutout to these workplace culture champions! 👇 @jeffhunt_ca @wenotmepod @ilkleyhammonds @pialee1964 @spencerhorn @cnapier67 @janetpilcher @redthreadre @staciagarr @joypowered @jodeecurtis @getreworked @leapgen @jessvonbank @jasonaverbook @happieratworkhq @kainexus @markgraban @ergpayroll @mattvaadi @nonprofit_hr @phgaustralia @hsaust @mikepetrusky @netpromotersys @rgmarkey @workday @workology @chrisraineyhr @xperthr @xeniumhr @brandonlaws @human_capital @pretzketz @processstreet @hrpraktijknu @streamevergreen @kenokel @shrmindia @nalvino @icrctv @brianm2 @es_entrepreneur @mckinsey @bryanahancock @shivanigupta1 @jeffreyfma @matttenney1 @dijuliusgroup 🎙 For PR pros and HR teams—this is your go-to podcast list! 🧠🏆

🎧 Top 100 Wellbeing Podcasts of 2025! 🎧🌱 🔗 Full list here: millionpodcasts.com/health-and-wel… For anyone passionate about wellness, mental health, and self-care, this list connects you with top experts and thought leaders offering valuable advice on living a healthier, happier life. 💚🧘‍♀️ 🎧 Why use this list? ✅ Direct access to top health & wellbeing experts 🎙️🌿 ✅ Save hours of research—contacts all in one place ⏳⚡ ✅ Perfect for wellness coaches, mental health advocates, & self-care enthusiasts 🌱💬 📢 Big shoutout to these top health & wellbeing influencers! 👇 @paybalances @dracarmenroman @actionhappiness @newhappyco @stephanielhson @joeykidney @redfishsword @shariwarefab @balancebymeghan @angelasfoster @itsjeremygodwin @wsbradio @drjoeesposito @headversity @happieratworkhq @maitricentre @visionsvelocity @sandeesgarlata @life_styleu @mimi_novic @drbrookend @DrLaura_ @deb_lessstress @FearneCotton @fearnecotton @amelia_phillips @wellwalkingpod @KeziaHallHealth @daily_dietitian @sarahmaybee @mindlovemelissa @bbcradio4 @claudiahammond @charlesrahichun @meggasus @f4cp @drsmcallister @minutenp @kimheifnernp @sarahalysse @vickynguyentv @mindfulsamantha @dorakamau @kessongag 🎙 For wellness professionals, health enthusiasts, and mindfulness advocates—this is your go-to podcast list for optimal health and wellbeing! 🌱💫

🚀🎙️ The Top 100 Future of Work Podcasts of 2025 Are Here! 🌍💼 🔗 Check out the full list here: millionpodcasts.com/future-of-work… For business leaders, HR professionals & futurists—this is your go-to resource for insights on the evolving workplace. Explore podcasts covering remote work, AI, leadership, workplace trends & the future of careers! 🎧 Why follow these podcasts? ✅ Insights on workplace innovation & emerging trends 🌐🚀 ✅ Expert discussions on AI, automation & hybrid work 🤖🏢 ✅ Leadership strategies for the next-gen workforce 📊✨ ✅ Future-focused HR & business growth insights 🎙️📈 ✨ Huge shoutout to these incredible Future of Work podcasters! You’ve been selected from thousands! 🎉👏 @william_r_kerr @josephbfuller @dwg @unisyscorp @Teambonding @srasch @ABPsychologists @cipd @nigel_cassidy @myhrfuture @david_green_uk @socialtalent @endava @Pivotbizconsult @happieratworkhq @QuinyxAB @vantagecircle @leadermorphosis @MorganPhilips @danny_levy_ @wueconomics @mindworkspodcst @handelsblatt @chaunhorst @cantiumsolution @risingbillion @mattnealcomedy @paulknowswork @ryanptubbs @abcaustralia @hejaframtiden @josh_bersin @bnr @rensdejong @streamevergreen @hrpraktijknu 📢 The future of work is here—stay ahead & tune in now! 🚀🎧

@HappierAtWorkHQ #podcast linkedin.com/posts/bhushans…

Congratulations to the 'Coach of the Year' Finalists! 👏 Winners revealed 2nd April in Central London 🏆 #HR #People #Awards

Introducing the 'Consultancy of the Year (<5 employees)' Finalists, congrats! 👏 Winners revealed 2nd April in Central London 🏆 #HR #People #Awards

@MillionPodcasts Thanks so much for the recognition!

🏢🎙️ The Top 100 Workplace Podcasts of 2025 Are Here! 🎧💼 🔗 Discover the full list here: millionpodcasts.com/workplace-podc… For professionals, HR leaders & career coaches—this is your go-to resource for connecting with top workplace podcasters. Find the best shows covering leadership, company culture, productivity, and career growth! 🎧 Why use this list? ✅ Direct access to workplace podcast hosts & producers 🎙📊 ✅ Save hours of research—contacts all in one place ⏳⚡ ✅ Perfect for PR campaigns, guest bookings & sponsorships 🤝🔥 ✨ Huge shoutout to these incredible podcasters shaping the future of work! You’ve been selected from thousands! 🎉📊 @workrbeeing @davidpembroke @Teambonding @mamieks @melissamarsden1 @dturchin @psych_chat @draustintay @kencoleman @emerald_works @cipd @nigel_cassidy @adp @lucindacarney @Allwork_space @workingnation @hroesplatform @mayoclinic @adriangostick @chesterelton @christ_w_a_y @happieratworkhq @Conferenceboard @wakeupeager @heatherryounger @fcwlawyers @leading_thought @BlackaddersLLP @askk2 @itsemilydurham @screwhierarchy @dignityma @pplmanagingppl @davidpmpeditor @theengagementdr @workmomsays @marcelschwantes @cultureamp @workifyceo @handelsblatt @chaunhorst @shrm @annesparaco @channelnewsasia @tiffeeang @laurazarrow 📢 Ready to level up your workplace knowledge? Check out the full list now! 🚀🔗

@SEUR_responde Hola, estoy esperando un pedido. Recibí un email que dice que no ha llegado por Ausencia. Pero he estado en casa todo el rato. Puedo hablar con alguien para enviar o recoger mi paquete? Tienes todo en DM. Esto ha estado el servicio más malo de mi vida.

@MillionPodcasts Thanks so much for the feature 🙏

🎉 Featuring the most insightful podcasts included in MillionPodcasts' 2025 edition of the Top 100 HR Podcasts on the web! 🧑‍💼🎙️ This expertly curated list celebrates the best in HR podcasting, spotlighting creators who excel in leadership, relevance, social influence, listener ratings, episode count, and more. Discover the complete list here: millionpodcasts.com/hr-podcasts/ ✨Featuring: @Emerald_Works @HRGrapevine @myhrfuture @david_green_uk @daniel_barnett @LacePartners @elliottscotthr @se_elliottscott @lucindacarney @rudnerlaw @legalisland @happieratworkhq @QuinyxAB @AllegisGlobal @lars @hrpartyofone @davidbturetsky @ricklynwoods @willory1 @johnbernatovicz @iamjulieturney @shr @vantagecircle @MindToolsFB @hr_opinions @ginaflaig @xperthr @sapientinsights @securevision1 @jamesmackeydmv @hr_jaded @deloitteus @kylejforrest @da5idm @fathelbab @annesparaco @citationltd @churchio @oakleafhr @thehrbooth

@FordhamLawNYC Thanks so much for sharing!

Fordham Law Adjunct Prof. Jordana Confino's episode on "Overcoming Perfectionism and Prioritizing Well-Being" was ranked #1 of the top ten most listened-to episodes of the Happier at Work podcast (@HappierAtWorkHQ) in 2024. Listen to the full episode: happieratwork.ie/189-overcoming…

Thank you so much for sharing this 🙌

@LeaderUnwrapped @patriciamannixm @niamhickey What a fantastic platform you’ve built - I loved our conversation so much!

Wonderful prompt by Aoife O'Brien @HappierAtWorkHQ to give ourselves space to reflect on what we really want in our professional and personal lives... Food for thought in our recent episode 🎧🎙 Check out the full episode: open.spotify.com/episode/1AH2eo… @patriciamannixm @niamhickey