Episode
173 | How to Build a Better Workplace Culture (So People Thrive at Work), with Aoife O’Brien
- Podcast
- HR Coffee Time
- Published
- Jun 19, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2704
- Processing state
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Summary
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 exp…