Happier At Work

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 shifting from an “effort over impact” mindset can supercharge both productivity and well-being. The conversation moves beyond conventional project management techniques, focusing on real-world, actionable steps you can implement right away to prioritise, delegate, and deliver value without burning out.
In James’ Episode, You’ll Discover:
Why busyness is the biggest obstacle to impactful work.
The importance of prioritisation.
The crucial role of transparent communication for leaders and teams when new priorities derail ongoing projects.
The value of creating space for deep thinking.

Related Topics Covered:
Purpose at Work, Productivity, Boundaries at Work

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

Connect with James Louttit | Project management expert and author:
Book
LinkedIn

Related Episodes You’ll Love:
Episode 240: Meaningful Work Through Simplification with Lisa Bodell

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®.
Join Aoife O’Brien for weekly insights on leadership, workplace culture, career clarity, imposter syndrome, and creating work that works for you.
Editing by Amanda Fitzgerald.

Website: https://happieratwork.ie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappierAtWorkHQ
Mentioned in this episode:
Thriving Talent book
Book

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 an “effort over impact” mindset can supercharge both productivity and well-being. The conversation moves beyond conventional project management techniques, focusing on real-world, actionable steps you can implement right away to prioritise, delegate, and deliver value without burning out.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:
Why busyness is the biggest obstacle to impactful work.
The importance of prioritisation.
The crucial role of transparent communication for leaders and teams when new priorities derail ongoing projects.
The value of creating space for deep thinking.

Related Topics Covered:
Purpose at Work, Productivity, Boundaries at Work

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

Connect with James Louttit | Project management expert and author:
Book
LinkedIn

Related Episodes You’ll Love:
Episode 240: Meaningful Work Through Simplification with Lisa Bodell

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®.
Join Aoife O’Brien for weekly insights on leadership, workplace culture, career clarity, imposter syndrome, and creating work that works for you.
Editing by Amanda Fitzgerald.

Website: https://happieratwork.ie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappierAtWorkHQ
Mentioned in this episode:
Thriving Talent book
Book

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, this episode will help you tighten your positioning, clarify your value, and communicate what makes you the right hire for a senior role.
You’ll learn:
Why being a “good employee” isn’t enough to stand out at senior level
How to shift from quantity of applications to quality of positioning
What it means to communicate your value before you get hired (CV + interview)
Aoife’s “Working Style Genius” framework and how to identify what makes you unique
3 powerful reflection questions to improve your interview confidence and clarity

If you’re searching for a senior job, preparing for a final interview, or trying to stand out in a competitive market, this episode will help you move from proving you’re capable to clearly showing the impact you create.
📩 Want your question answered on the podcast? Email [email protected] (you can remain anonymous).
Website: https://happieratwork.ie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappierAtWorkHQ

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 insights and her unique framework to help leaders design intentional, resilient cultures that bring out the best in people, even during challenging times. The discussion highlights common pitfalls, like unintentional leadership and mixed organisational signals, and offers a practical invitation: stop treating positive culture as the goal, and start seeing it as the outcome of deliberate leadership design.
In This Episode, You’ll Discover:
The foundations of the Thriving Talent Framework
How, as a leader, you can play an active role in designing and influencing workplace culture, not just experiencing it.
The importance of honest observation and open conversations, leading to more meaningful cultural insights than surveys alone.

Related Topics Covered:
Psychological Safety, Communication at Work, Leadership
Connect with Aoife O’Brien | Host of Happier at Work®:
Website
LinkedIn
YouTube

Related Episodes You’ll Love:
122: Cultivating a Mindset for Success with Brennan Jacoby
195: Workplace Culture Dynamics: Creating a Positive Work Environment with Caroline Collins
267: Creating a Positive Workplace

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®.
Editing by Amanda Fitzgerald.
Website: https://happieratwork.ie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappierAtWorkHQ
Mentioned in this episode:
Thriving Talent book
Book

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 grounded in psychology for understanding yourself, appreciating the perspectives of others, and improving workplace relationships.
In Catherine’s episode, You’ll Discover:
How self-awareness and understanding your own communication style can transform workplace relationships.
The “intention vs. impact” dynamic: why we judge others based on impact and ourselves based on intention, and how this fuels misunderstandings.
Tips for managers to support team members: regular check-ins, balancing autonomy, fostering connection, and using “do and review” conversations.
Practical steps for “getting on with anyone”.

Related Topics Covered:
Purpose at Work, Personality Types, Relationships at Work
Connect with Aoife O’Brien | Host of Happier at Work®:
Website
LinkedIn
YouTube

Connect with Catherine Stothart | Motivating Leadership Coach & Author of ‘How to Get On with Anyone’:
Bluesky
LinkedIn

Related Episodes You’ll Love:
Episode 174: The Role of Emotions in Workplace Dynmaics with Dr. Lola Gershfeld
Episode 176: Practical Tips for Positive Work Relationships with Aoife O’Brien

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®.
Join Aoife O’Brien for weekly insights on leadership, workplace culture, career clarity, imposter...