173 | How to Build a Better Workplace Culture (So People Thrive at Work), with Aoife O’Brien

Many organisations want a positive workplace culture, but creating one is easier said than done.

How do you know what your culture is really like? What role do leaders play? And why do some organisations create environments where people thrive, while others struggle with engagement, retention, and performance?

In this episode of HR Coffee Time, Fay is joined by workplace culture and leadership expert Aoife O'Brien, founder of Happier at Work and author of the bestselling book Thriving Talent: How Great Leaders Drive Performance, Engagement and Retention.

Aoife shares her Thriving Talent framework and practical advice to help organisations create cultures where people can thrive. Together, Fay and Aoife explore psychological safety, leadership, values, strengths, employee needs, and practical ways to improve the experience of work for everyone.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• The framework Aoife uses to help organisations create cultures where people thrive
• Why psychological safety is the foundation of a thriving workplace
• Why culture is not HR's responsibility alone
• The role leaders play in shaping workplace culture
• How to identify what your workplace culture is really like today
• Practical ways to involve employees in shaping culture
• Why many organisations have "accidental leaders" - and the impact this can have on engagement and retention
• How HR can build the business case for investing in leadership development
• Why values, strengths, and employee needs play such an important role in helping people thrive at work
• Practical ways to identify your strengths and understand what helps you do your best work

Chapters

[00:00] - Why workplace culture matters

[01:34] - Introducing Aoife O'Brien

[04:14] - Why Aoife wrote Thriving Talent

[07:09] - The Thriving Talent framework explained

[10:00] - The research behind the framework

[13:55] - Why psychological safety matters

[14:27] - Is workplace culture really HR's responsibility?

[17:28] - How to define the culture you want

[19:15] - The challenge of accidental leaders

[25:27] - Making the business case for leadership development

[30:03] - What helps people thrive at work?

[35:22] - Values, needs and strengths

[39:27 ]- Book recommendations

[40:44] - How to connect with Aoife

[41:49] - Closing and book giveaway reminder

Special Offer for HR Coffee Time Listeners

Aoife has kindly arranged a 10% discount on her book, Thriving Talent: How Great Leaders Drive Performance, Engagement and Retention. Use this link to access the discount.

Useful Links

• Connect with Aoife O'Brien on LinkedIn
• Visit Aoife's Happier at Work website
• Learn more about the Thriving Talent book
• Connect with Fay on LinkedIn
• Learn about Fay’s Essential HR Planner
• Learn about Fay’s Inspiring HR Leadership Programme

Books Recommended In This Episode

• Thriving Talent: How Great Leaders Drive Performance, Engagement and Retention - Aoife O'Brien
• Insight: How to succeed by seeing yourself clearly - Dr Tasha Eurich
• Dare to Lead - Brené Brown
• Your Best Meeting Ever - Rebecca Hinds

Helpful Episodes to Listen to Next

• Ep 47:Discovering your values to help your HR Career, with Zoe Hawkins
• Ep 107: The Impact of Imposter Syndrome at Work and How to Tackle It Head-On, with Aoife O'Brien
• Ep 136: How to shape a winning workplace culture when you work in HR, with Annabelle Lawson and Paula Brockwell
• Ep 114: What Workplace Culture Is, How to Measure It, and a Surprising Way to Improve It, with Arend Boersema
• Ep 76: HR Insider tips on how to create an amazing remote working culture, with Claire Cathcart

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