Episode Details

Are you sure someone is underperforming, or are you missing what’s preventing them from doing their best?

In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien explores the assumption that people are doing their best and what it changes for leaders. Rather than quickly labelling someone as lazy, difficult, unmotivated, or incapable, she encourages you to look more closely at capability, role fit, expectations, resources, psychological safety, workload, and your own contribution to the situation.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

• Why assuming people are doing their best helps leaders look beyond quick judgments.
• The role of capability, including skills, knowledge, experience, strengths, and confidence.
• How a mismatch between someone’s strengths and their role can affect performance.
• The importance of clear expectations, appropriate autonomy, resources, support, and psychological safety.

Related Topics Covered:

Personal Development, Psychological Safety, Capabilities at Work

Connect with Aoife O’Brien | Host of Happier at Work®:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

Related Episodes & Resources:

Episode 289: Leadership Choices that Define your Culture

Episode 295: From Individual Strengths to Team Capability

Episode 297: Creating Space for Talent to Thrive

Episode 315: Imposter Syndrome: Why Confidence ≠ Capability

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