310: Creating Impact and Value at Work with Dr. Shirley Kavanagh

310: Creating Impact and Value at Work with Dr. Shirley Kavanagh

From Happier At Work: Leadership, Culture, Performance by Aoife O'Brien

July 3, 2026 · 42 min

About this episode

In this episode, Aoife O'Brien and Dr. Shirley Kavanagh discuss how to create real value and impact at work amidst rapid change and technological advancements.

Are you struggling to see the true value and impact of your work in today’s fast-paced environment? In this episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien welcomes Dr. Shirley Kavanagh for a deep dive into creating real value and impact at work. Together, they explore how to align daily activities with desired business outcomes, the importance of discipline and pausing for reflection, and why HR practices need to be connected to business strategy. Shirley shares her journey from financial services to executive coaching and organisational development, drawing on her PhD research into how people practices are actually implemented in organisations. The conversation highlights the challenges of keeping up with rapid change, especially with new technologies like AI, and emphasises practical ways individuals and leaders can prioritise what truly matters. In This Episode, You’ll Discover: The frequent disconnect between people (HR) practices and the real needs of the business. Key findings from Shirley’s PhD research: the different ways line managers implement or adapt HR practices like appraisals, and why “translation” can add value. The necessity for HR professionals to deeply…

People in this episode

Host: Aoife O'Brien

Guest: Dr. Shirley Kavanagh

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: financial services, HR, AI

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