The Happy at Work Podcast
The Happy at Work podcast explores the intersection of organizational culture, positive psychology, and employee branding to create thriving workplaces. Our expert hosts—Dr. Laura Hamill, Michael McCarthy, and Dr. Tessa Misiaszek—bring diverse perspectives and deep expertise to uncover practical strategies for fostering happiness and success at work.
We engage with various guests, including organizational leaders, HR professionals, psychologists, researchers, and employees across various industries. Through thought-provoking conversations, we delve into:
- How organizational culture shapes employee experiences and drives engagement
- Evidence-based positive psychology strategies that boost both human flourishing and business metrics
- Innovative approaches to align brand identity with employee experience and operationalize company values
Our mission is to give listeners actionable insights and tools to transform their workplaces. Whether you're a CEO, an HR professional, a manager, or an employee seeking to make a positive impact, the Happy at Work podcast offers valuable perspectives to help you create a more fulfilling, productive, and positive work environment.
Join us as we explore the cutting edge of workplace well-being and performance, uncovering the strategies that lead to truly happy, engaged, and successful organizations.
The Happy at Work Podcast
Leaning Into Yes: Creating Vibrant Workplaces
Andrea Kehoe, Director of Operations Administration at Kettering University, shares how she's led efforts to transform the university's workplace culture following what their president called a "cultural meh" after the pandemic. Through cross-collaborative working groups, employee surveys, and responsive action, Kettering has revitalized their campus community by implementing simple yet effective strategies that prioritize employee satisfaction.
• Asking employees directly what would improve their work satisfaction resulted in actionable feedback
• Implementing tangible changes like fresh office paint showed employees they were truly being heard
• Creating more campus events helped rebuild relationships and community connections post-pandemic
• Finding "champions" for new initiatives ensures ideas have the necessary support to succeed
• Leaning into a "yes first" approach encourages innovation and engagement across campus
• Investing in internal mobility helps retain institutional knowledge and creates career growth opportunities
• Positive workplace culture directly impacts student experience and satisfaction
• Small, consistent improvements lead to significant cultural transformation over time
If you're interested in learning more about creating a positive workplace culture, check out the Optimizing Workplace Engagement course that both Michael and Tessa teach at Harvard's Professional Development Program.
To stay connected and continue the conversation, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.
And don't forget to check out our previous episodes for more tips and strategies to boost your workplace happiness. You can find them on your favorite podcast platform or on our website.
If you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions for future episodes, please reach out to us. We'd love to hear from you!
Stay inspired, stay motivated, and stay happy at work!
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