How to Build a Better Workplace Culture (So People Thrive at Work) | With Guest, Aoife O'Brien

Workplace culture affects everything. It shapes how people feel at work, how they work together, whether they stay, and whether they can do their best work. Yet for many organisations, culture can feel difficult to define - and even harder to improve. In this episode of HR Coffee Time, I’m 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 thrive. We explore psychological safety, leadership, values, strengths, employee needs, and practical ways to improve the experience of work for everyone. Whether you work in HR, lead a team, or simply want to enjoy work more and perform at your best, this episode is packed with practical insights and ideas. HR Coffee Time Podcast | Episode 173 🎯 WHAT 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 Meet 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 🔗 USEFUL LINKS Connect with Fay on LinkedIn:   / faywallis   📩 Subscribe to Fay’s free weekly email newsletter for HR career tips, tools and podcast updates: https://brightskycareercoaching.kit.c... 📝 Learn about The Essential HR Planner: https://essentialhrplanner.co.uk/ 🎓 Learn about the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme: https://brightskyhr.co.uk/hr-leadersh... Connect with Aoife O'Brien on LinkedIn:   / aoifemobrien   Visit Happier at Work: Learn more about Thriving Talent: https://www.bluegoatbooks.com/discoun... 📚 Special Offer for HR Coffee Time listeners Aoife has kindly arranged a 10% discount on her book, Thriving Talent for HR Coffee Time listeners and viewers: https://www.bluegoatbooks.com/discoun... 🎧 HELPFUL HR COFFEE TIME EPISODES TO LISTEN TO NEXT • Ep 47: Discovering Your Values to Help Your HR Career, with Zoe Hawkins: https://brightskyhr.co.uk/hr-coffee-t... • Ep 107: The Impact of Imposter Syndrome at Work and How to Tackle It Head-On, with Aoife O'Brien: https://brightskyhr.co.uk/hr-coffee-t... • Ep 136: How to Shape a Winning Workplace Culture When You Work in HR, with Annabelle Lawson and Paula Brockwell: https://brightskyhr.co.uk/hr-coffee-t... • Ep 114: What Workplace Culture Is, How to Measure It, and a Surprising Way to Improve It, with Arend Boersema: https://brightskyhr.co.uk/hr-coffee-t... • Ep 76: HR Insider Tips on How to Create an Amazing Remote Working Culture, with Claire Cathcart: https://brightskyhr.co.uk/hr-coffee-t... 🔔 IF YOU ENJOYED THIS EPISODE... Please like the video, subscribe to the channel, and share it with someone who would find it helpful. I'd also love to hear your thoughts in the comments. What do you think has the biggest impact on workplace culture?