In this episode, Alex peels back the curtain on how he helped GoDaddy scale its global reach to 6 million people and reduce external job board spending by a massive 83%—all by turning everyday teammates into organic brand advocates. We move past surface-level marketing talk to give you the exact framework you need to build an authentic, lived culture that naturally attracts elite talent. Whether you are an HR executive looking to stretch your budget, a founder trying to scale a global team, or an employer brand practitioner wanting to level up your digital strategy, this conversation is packed with real-world, actionable data. Connect with Alex Her on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alexherTimecodes:00:00 — Introduction and guest welcome00:48 — Trends shaping employer branding05:44 — Stop / Start / Continue for employer branding in 202708:44 — Employer advocacy and the shift to GEO / LLM visibility13:14 — AI in recruitment and employer brand risk17:24 — Storytelling across a global organization22:37 — Internal employer branding and retention25:16 — Top 3 tips for employer branding in 2026–2027Subscribe to Happy@Work for more insights on building a workplace that people genuinely love.#EmployerBranding #TalentAcquisition #EmployeeAdvocacy #RecruitmentMarketing #HRStrategy #FutureOfWork #HappyAtWork #AlexHer

We hear the term "psychological safety" everywhere, but what does it actually look like in practice? Today on Happy@Work, I am joined by leadership coach Nancy Zakharia Ohanessian, who specializes in helping organizations build trust, sharpen leadership capabilities, and create genuinely human-centered environments.Together, we unpack why psychological safety is far more than just a trendy corporate buzzword—it is the non-negotiable foundation for real engagement, sustainable performance, and employee well-being. Nancy explains that everyday leadership behaviors, rather than formal company policies, determine whether people feel safe sharing ideas, admitting mistakes, and challenging the status quo.Connect with Nancy Zakharia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-zakharia-ohanessian-pcc-7608244/ Timecodes:00:00 — Intro and guest welcome00:22 — Nancy’s background and work in talent development01:35 — Biggest leadership challenges today02:53 — What emotional intelligence means for leaders04:37 — Cultural differences and psychological safety05:51 — Building psychological safety in teams10:47 — Why leaders should show vulnerability and mistakes14:07 — Becoming more people-centered as a leader15:31 — Practical steps: curiosity, questions, normalization of mistakes19:25 — Workplace well-being and mental health trends22:26 — Reducing stress for leaders and employees23:23 — Stress management: control vs influence28:45 — Team rituals for connection and recharge31:46 — Recognition, gratitude, and feedback33:09 — 3 key takeaways on psychological safetySubscribe to Happy@Work for more episodes on modern leadership, workplace culture, and building high-trust teams.#PsychologicalSafety #LeadershipDevelopment #EmployeeEngagement #WorkplaceCulture #HappyAtWork #TrustInLeadership #HumanCenteredLeadership

Do you dread the start of the workweek? In this episode, Kon Apostolopoulos reveals how to transform your approach to employee happiness, elevate talent acquisition efforts, and build sustainable performance—whether in the office or in remote work setups.We’ve all been there—staring down Monday morning with a mix of exhaustion and anxiety. But how do we move from merely surviving the week to genuinely thriving? Kon shares research-backed, practical strategies for leaders to cultivate deep meaning, manage team energy, and foster environments where high output doesn't cost people their mental health. We dive into why the way your team approaches Monday is actually a powerful diagnostic for your entire organizational culture.Whether you're an executive looking to protect your culture, an HR leader trying to boost retention, or a professional wanting to reclaim your weekly energy, Kon’s insights offer the practical roadmap you need.Connect with Kon Apostolopoulos on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkon/Timecodes:00:00 — Introduction to Happy at Work and guest intro01:07 — Why Mondays feel bad, and how that can change02:12 — Leaders have the biggest impact on Monday energy03:16 — People leave supervisors, not companies04:15 — The four needs: valued, connected, productive, supported08:42 — Practical leadership tips: safety, trust, respect, belonging, attention, appreciation13:24 — Leading remote and multinational teams19:16 — How trust is built: consistency between words and actions22:57 — How leaders can ask better questions and hear the truth27:49 — How organizations, HR, and leaders can help people enjoy Mondays31:32 — 3 takeaways: engagement, resilience, performanceSubscribe to Happy@Work for more episodes on leadership, organizational performance, and human-centric workplace culture.#WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeEngagement #Resilience #LeadershipDevelopment #HappyAtWork #HumanPerformance #burnout

Are you ready to move past surface-level health initiatives? In this episode, Jessica Grossmeier shares how authentic leadership and deep personal purpose can fundamentally transform well-being, unlock lasting employee happiness, and redefine essential leader skills.Together, we explore how organizations can move beyond transactional health checklists to build cultures that truly nurture the human spirit. Jessica breaks down her research-backed framework for charting a course toward holistic organizational health, offering actionable strategies for leaders who want to create spaces where people feel profoundly connected to their daily tasks and to each other.Whether you are an executive shaping corporate strategy, a manager trying to protect your team from burnout, or an individual looking to realign your career with your personal values, this conversation is an absolute masterclass.Connect with Jessica Grossmeier:• Website: https://www.jessicagrossmeier.com/• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgrossmeier/Timecodes00:00 — Introduction to the podcast and guest01:35 — Jessica Grossmeier’s background in workplace well-being03:02 — Why Jessica got into well-being and meaningful work04:23 — What workplace well-being should focus on now06:03 — Burnout: risks and prevention08:24 — Designing sustainable, people-centered organizations10:47 — Remote/hybrid work, loneliness, and connection13:47 — What brings Jessica positive emotions each day15:31 — Meaningful work and its role in well-being18:16 — Resilience at work21:09 — How to handle mistakes at work25:15 — Joy at work and “joy killers”28:15 — Unusual insights and a personal story from Jessica32:10 — Three leadership tips for more human-centered workplacesSubscribe to Happy@Work for more insights on building a workplace that people genuinely love.#WellBeing #WorkplaceWellness #LeadershipDevelopment #PurposeDriven #ConsciousLeadership #CorporateCulture #HappyAtWork

Are you accidentally holding your team back by trying to save the day? In this episode, Daria Rudnik reveals how shifting your leadership habits can transform daily teamwork, elevate employee happiness, and unlock the essential leader skills needed to build a self-sufficient organization.Many managers start out with the best intentions: solving problems, making quick decisions, and protecting their people. However, over time, this "hero leader" mentality turns you into the ultimate bottleneck. Your team stops thinking independently, constantly waits for your approval, and struggles to operate without constant supervision. Connect with Daria Rudnik:• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariarudnik/• Get Daria's Book: https://dariarudnik.com/clickingTimecodes: 00:00 Intro and why this conversation matters02:09 Why leaders should stop being the hero03:52 How to empower your team06:47 Reframing control as the team grows09:39 Values, diversity, and culture fit11:30 Healthy conflict inside teams13:49 Feedback for future growth15:27 Psychological safety and anonymous feedback17:39 Connecting team members, not just with the leader19:58 How leaders can develop themselves22:07 Learning from mistakes23:39 Regular team reflection and retrospectives25:14 Three tips from Daria for leadersSubscribe to Happy@Work for more episodes on the future of work, culture, and high-performance leadership.#Leadership #Teamwork #ManagementTips #EmployeeWellbeing #Delegation #FutureOfWork #HappyAtWork #DariaRudnik

Why is employee engagement plummeting despite all the perks? In this episode, Jason Lauritsen joins us to explain why your performance management framework is failing without a foundation of real happiness and human connection—especially in a hybrid work world.While modern organizations spend fortunes on high-tech collaboration tools, structured processes, and corporate perks, something vital is quietly disappearing: the baseline relationships that make work meaningful. Today on Happy@Work, I'm talking with Jason Lauritsen, a renowned leadership expert, keynote speaker, and author who has dedicated his career to fixing employee engagement.Jason argues that the quality of our workplace relationships isn't just a soft "nice-to-have." It is a business-critical driver that directly dictates your company's retention, daily productivity, long-term wellbeing, and overall culture. We break down the real financial and human cost of corporate disconnection and outline exactly how modern leaders can change their approach.Connect with Jason Lauritsen:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonlauritsen Timecodes:00:00 — Tatiana opens the episode and introduces the topic00:30 — Teaser question about office vs remote engagement01:33 — Jason’s background and his role02:49 — What connection at work means05:12 — Definition of connection08:57 — Research setup and employee sample size09:55 — Biggest surprise: highest disengagement among non-management on-site employees10:23 — Highest connection among fully remote employees14:19 — Meaning and resonance connection17:09 — Organizational resonance as the strongest predictor18:31 — How companies can cultivate meaning and purpose21:28 — Leadership’s role in building connection23:36 — Managers as the “linchpin”28:39 — Why focusing on moderately engaged employees works best34:08 — Three main tips for improving connection at work35:07 — Advice for employees to build peer relationships36:11 — Episode wrap-upSubscribe to Happy@Work for more insights on building a workplace that people genuinely love.#Happiness #Engagement #PerformanceManagement #HybridWork #FutureOfWork #LeadershipDevelopment #HappyAtWork

Is your brand narrative a lived reality? In this episode, Raz Mitzna reveals how to bridge the gap between high-level HR strategy and everyday moments that unlock candidate experience and employee happiness.

Employer branding is no longer just about clever messaging—it’s entirely about the real experience. The true power of an employer brand isn't found in your marketing guidelines; it is revealed in the small, everyday moments where employees and candidates interact with your organization.Today on Happy@Work, I’m sitting down with global expert Raz Mitzna to map out exactly how companies can bring their identity to life across the entire employee journey. Raz shares brilliant, practical insights on how to align your brand, culture, and day-to-day employee operations so your company values are actively lived, consistently activated, and seamlessly scaled across channels, teams, and international markets.Connect with Raz Mitzna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/razmitznaTimecodes: 00:00 – intro01:15 – self-presentation of Raz02:20 – guide from Raz on how to implement EVP first time06:33 – what touchpoints are the bottlenecks in EVP implementation 11:07 – employer branding is the responsibility of the whole company16:34 – internal communications: where should you focus?21:43 – real and transparent employer brand: tell the truth28:30 – why the candidate should work for your company?33:24 – 3 tips from Raz for companies whom wants to build a strong employer brandSubscribe to Happy@Work for more insights on building a workplace that people genuinely love.#EmployerBranding #HRStrategy #CandidateExperience #WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeEngagement #HappyAtWork #LeadershipDevelopment

Are your employees thriving, or are they just surviving the grind? In this episode, Dr. Kat Page reveals how organizational psychology and intentional leadership can systematically dismantle burnout and protect your team's wellbeing.We often treat exhaustion as an individual failure—telling people to manage their stress better. But true transformation requires looking at how jobs are built. Today on Happy@Work, I’m sitting down with the incredible Dr. Kat Page, organizational expert and author of the groundbreaking book Good Work: Transforming Your Work from the Inside Out.If you are a CEO, an HR leader, or a professional trying to protect your own mental energy while making a massive impact, this masterclass with Dr. Kat Page is a must-watch.Connect with Dr. Kat Page:https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-kat-page-2366514/Timecodes:00:00 – intro 01:13 – self-presentation of Dr. Kate02:01– what is the "Good work" according to the Kat`s book02:35– 3-level powerful framework against burnout04:33 – level of “me”: improving your workplace by yourself06:15 – level of “leader”: what he has to provide for the team to prevent burnout09:38 – what factors affect positively and negatively on the psychological safety13:35 – how to prevent corporate bullying and toxic workplaces17:11 – the right to mistake: how to provide the culture of innovation 22:48 – may we talk about stress with the manager and colleagues?28:15 – should companies fight against the loneliness of workers?32:19 – 3 tips for leaders who want to build organizations that will be named by people “Good work”Subscribe to Happy@Work for more insights on building a workplace that people genuinely love.#BurnoutPrevention #WorkplaceWellbeing #OrganizationalPsychology #LeadershipDevelopment #JobDesign #FutureOfWork #HappyAtWork