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319: Rethinking Harmful Behaviours at Work
Description
Have you ever considered how the dynamics of bullying in the workplace affect belonging and psychological safety?
In this thought-provoking solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien opens up about her personal experiences with bullying, from her childhood to her professional journey. Inspired by a recent post from Amy Cuddy, Aoife examines the often-overlooked complexity of bullying, emphasising that it's rarely a simple case of "bully" and "victim." Instead, she uncovers the powerful role of group dynamics, bystanders, and exclusion in perpetuating negative environments at work.
In This Episode, You’ll Discover:
- Why bullying is often more than one person targeting another.
- The importance of psychological safety for a thriving workplace, and can be undermined when individuals feel unable to speak up about exclusion or bullying.
- How we all may sometimes participate in exclusion or gossip, highlighting the need for honest self-reflection.
- The vital role leaders have in making a difference by noticing exclusion, challenging groupthink, and creating a culture where reputations can recover.
Related Topics Covered:
Workplace Dynamics, Psychological Safety, Building a Reputation
Connect with Aoife O’Brien | Host of Happier at Work®:
Related Episodes & Resources:
Episode 217: How Can We Identify & Overcome Self-Sabotage Behaviours at Work?
Episode 218: How Can You Improve Happiness & Trust at Work with Matt Phelan
Episode 247: Navigating the Drama Triangle at Work with Aoife O’Brien
Episode 291: How to Fix Toxic Cultures
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