Happy at Work | Coding Happiness into the AI Workplace

Tatiana Koval; Tony Koval | Why the Future of AI workplace is Human Happiness
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In today’s fast-paced corporate world, achieving true wellbeing and happiness isn't just a nice-to-have; it’s a business imperative. We are pulling back the curtain on how top companies are navigating massive digital transformation without losing their human touch. Every week, we explore with international experts how cutting-edge AI is reshaping how we work while helping HR teams build an irresistible employer brand that attracts top-tier talent. We don't just talk about abstract concepts; we break down actionable strategies. We'll show you how to embrace digital transformation and leverage.

  1. 1d ago

    Why Efficient Work Can Make Employees Miserable | with Thomas Bertels

    What if better productivity, happier employees, and more satisfied customers were not a trade-off, but the same design problem? Thomas Bertels says most organizations still get work design wrong—and the hidden cost shows up in burnout, bureaucracy, and AI projects that speed up individual tasks but not the whole business.Tatiana Koval sits down with Thomas Bertels, a transformation expert, work design specialist, and host of the Work Matters podcast, to explore how leaders can redesign jobs and operating models. Hence, people actually want to do the work. Drawing on his experience with startups and Fortune 500 companies, as well as Hackman and Oldham's research, Thomas explains why meaningful work, autonomy, and feedback matter more than ever. If your team is dealing with too much bureaucracy, too many handoffs, or an AI rollout that feels more like task elimination than meaningful transformation, this conversation offers a practical way forward. Essential listening for HR leaders, middle managers, and executives who want work that performs better because it feels better to do.Connect with Thomas Bertels:• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasbertels/• Substack: https://purposeworks.substack.com• Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@WorkMatterspodcastTimecodes: 00:00 — Introduction: workplace design and the future of work01:18 — How AI can reshape jobs—for better or worse03:58 — The foundations of motivating work: meaning, autonomy, and feedback07:52 — How to assess the current state of work design10:39 — Why employee experience and efficiency are not a trade-off12:19 — Giving employees real influence over process improvement15:54 — Common work-design problems and practical ways to spot them20:08 — Rethinking workflows when adopting AI24:33 — Lessons from the Work Matters podcast27:28 — Building the right team to lead workplace redesign30:14 — What triggers organizations to redesign work31:53 — How to measure whether work-design changes are succeeding32:57 — Helping people embrace organizational change35:11 — Three key takeaways for leadersSubscribe to Happy@Work for more insights on modern leadership, organizational performance, and human-centric workplace culture.#WorkplaceCulture #WorkplaceMentalHealth #WorkplaceWellbeing #Happiness #TalentAcquisition #JobDesign #FutureOfWork #Leadership #HappyAtWork

    Why Efficient Work Can Make Employees Miserable | with Thomas Bertels

  2. Sep 15

    Change Doesn't Fail, We Design It Poorly | Ashley Jablow

    Why do organizational changes fail, and how can we design work that fuels us? In this episode, Ashley Jablow shares how intentional human-centric design elevates Workplace Mental Health, transforms Workplace culture, and boosts overall workplace well-being.We often blame employees or company culture when transitions fall flat. But the truth is much simpler: change doesn't fail—we design it poorly. Today on Happy@Work, I am sitting down with Ashley Jablow — founder of Wayfinders Collective and Life Design School, author, former Presidential Innovation Fellow at the White House, and ex-IDEO leader. Ashley brings her deep background in innovation, creativity, and practical change to show leaders how to guide their teams through complex transitions with clarity, courage, and care. We dive into how designing clear career strategies drives Happiness, strengthens talent acquisition, and builds resilient, adaptive organizations. Whether you are an executive leading a major corporate transition, an HR strategist looking to elevate employee retention, or a professional redesigning your career, Ashley's actionable strategies will help you navigate what's next. Connect with Ashley Jablow:• Website: https://www.wayfinderscollective.com/• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyjablow/Timecodes: 00:00 Welcome to Happy at Work00:31 Ashley’s path into design thinking02:25 Empathy as the foundation of people-centered design03:02 Bringing empathy into hiring, leadership, and organizational change04:49 The business impact: retention and employee advocacy07:06 Designing for diverse, global teams10:38 Questions leaders can ask to better understand their people14:11 Staying open when employee feedback challenges assumptions18:43 Common mistakes in workplace design thinking20:26 “Go slow to go fast” in leadership22:22 Leading as a whole person24:28 Closing thoughts and thank youSubscribe to Happy@Work for more episodes on modern leadership, organizational performance, and human-centric workplace culture.#WorkplaceMentalHealth #WorkplaceCulture #WorkplaceWellbeing #Happiness #TalentAcquisition #LeaderSkills #Leadership #EmployeeRetention #EmployeeEngagement #HappyAtWork

    Change Doesn't Fail, We Design It Poorly | Ashley Jablow

  3. Sep 9

    Gamal Yafai: The Key to a Fulfilling Career and Happy Life

    How do you move inclusion from a checkbox exercise to a core business strategy? In this episode, Gamiel Yafai shares how designing for equity transforms Workplace culture, elevates Workplace Mental Health, and drives overall employee Happiness.For too long, organizations have treated diversity and inclusion as ad-hoc initiatives rather than fundamental architecture. Today on Happy@Work, we are sitting down with Gamiel Yafai—author, award-winning diversity strategist, and founder of Diversity Inclusion.Gamiel breaks down his actionable blueprint for "Inclusion by Design." We explore how leaders can build sustainable, long-term impact by aligning leadership behaviors with hard metrics, embedding inclusive practices across the entire employee journey, and using an authentic culture to strengthen talent acquisition and workplace wellbeing.Whether you are an HR leader refining HR best practices, an executive driving talent attraction strategies, or a founder building an inclusive Workplace culture, Gamiel’s practical and strategic insights offer a masterclass in modern Leadership.Connect with Gamiel Yafai:• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linkedingamielyafai/Timecodes:00:00 — intro01:16 — Meet Gamel: diversity and inclusion strategist03:31 — What diversity and inclusion means in business07:11 — Common misconceptions and implementation mistakes12:29 — The business case for inclusion17:01 — Inclusive leadership and overcoming bias21:59 — Challenges: measuring progress and establishing a baseline26:03 — Turning diversity into innovation and business growth32:24 — Three practical actions for leadersSubscribe to Happy@Work for more insights on modern leadership, organizational performance, and human-centric workplace culture.#WorkplaceCulture #WorkplaceMentalHealth #WorkplaceWellbeing #Happiness #TalentAcquisition #InclusionByDesign #DiversityAndInclusion #Leadership #HappyAtWork

    Gamal Yafai: The Key to a Fulfilling Career and Happy Life

  4. Sep 8

    How to communicate layoffs | with Lynn Zimmerman

    Most change communication fails for one simple reason: leaders talk to the project team, but forget the people who have to live with the change. Communications expert Lynn Zimmerman reveals how to keep employees informed, reduce resistance, and protect trust when your company is moving fast. If you are leading a merger, acquisition, restructuring, tech rollout, or any major transformation, this conversation shows why the real risk is not the change itself - it is confusion, overload, and the grapevine filling in the gaps. Tatiana Koval and her guest break down how to communicate sooner, smarter, and with more humanity. Connect with Lynn Zimmerman on LinkedIn Timecodes: 00:00 - Welcome and whychange communication matters for employees02:05 - Aline’s 25-year path through internal communications and consulting04:44 - Why employees are the most important audience in change06:20 - The biggest stakeholder mistake companies make during change09:20 - Why communications professionals must join early12:05 - How to reduce burnout by involving employees in the process14:42 - Using existing channels for two-way feedback17:35 - Balancing openness with confidentiality and legal limits20:56 - Global change communication across countries and offices25:11 - Using vision, mission, and values to unify global teams29:01 - Dignity and respect during layoffs and restructuring34:21 - Three final tips for leaders preparing for change36:16 - Why change communicators must stay flexible and ready to pivot Subscribe to Happy@Work for more insights on modern leadership, organizational performance, and human-centric workplace culture. #workplaceculture #layoffs #changemanagement #talentmanagement #communication #leaders #internalcommunications #HappyAtWork #Happiness

    How to communicate layoffs | with Lynn Zimmerman

  5. Aug 26

    Stop Asking "Where Are You From?": Natsuyo Lipschutz on Leading Globally Without Stereotypes

    How do you build true employee happiness and align international teams? In this episode, we break down how modern employer branding, effective cross-culturalcommunication, and remote work strategies must evolve beyond basic nationality traits. Traditional approaches to global management often fall short because they reduce complex human beings to simple country flags. Today on Happy@Work, we are sitting down with global leadership and communication powerhouse Natsuyo Lipschutz. Natsuyo is an international keynote speaker, a TEDx speaker, and the creator ofthe game-changing framework, "The Culture of One®". Instead of relying on rigid, outdated generalizations about where a person is from, Natsuyo explains how leaders can look beyond labels to understand the individual behind theculture. We dive into why "common sense" is never universal, how microscopic differences in daily communication styles completely shape workplace trust, and how leaders can navigate deep ambiguity to turn team differences into a competitive superpower rather than a cultural barrier. Connect withNatsuyo Lipschutz: www.linkedin.com/in/natsuyolipschutzTimecodes: 00:00 Introduction — Rethinking culture in the workplace 00:46 Why culture and communication matter more than ever 02:55 The “Culture of One” framework 04:08 A consulting story: when assumptions cause misunderstanding 06:53 The Three A’s: Acknowledge, Analyze, Adapt 10:28 High-context vs. low-context communication 16:17 How to prepare better questions across differences 19:42 Helping leaders work effectively with diverse teams 26:59 Powerful questions that shift perspective 30:13 The personal origin of the Culture of One approach 34:12 3 tips for deeper connection Subscribe to Happy@Work for more episodes on the future of leadership, international business culture, and workplace happiness. #CrossCultural #EmployerBranding #RemoteWork #GlobalLeadership #TheCultureOfOne#DiversityAndInclusion #HappyAtWork #NatsuyoLipschutz

    Stop Asking "Where Are You From?": Natsuyo Lipschutz on Leading Globally Without Stereotypes

  6. Aug 19

    Workplace Wellbeing That Actually Works: Dr. Louise Lambert on Fixing Broken Culture

    Why do expensive corporate wellbeing programs fail, and what actually creates employee happiness? In this episode, Dr. Louise Lambert reveals why standalone initiatives fall short and how redefining your Workplace culture transforms Workplace Mental Health. Organizations spend billions every year on perks and apps, yet employee skepticism remains at an all-time high. Today on Happy@Work, I am sitting down with Dr. Louise Lambert — a Dubai-based positive psychology researcher and workplace wellbeing specialist with over a decade of research in the field. Dr. Lambert breaks down her upcoming research on the major disconnect between what management thinks it's providing and what employees actually experience day to day. We explore why traditional interventions fail and shift the focus to what truly matters: creating a culture where people feel seen, heard, respected, and valued through their everyday work experience. Connect with Dr. Louise Lambert through LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-louise-lambert Timecodes: 00:00 — Introduction to workplace wellbeing programs 01:53 — Why traditional wellbeing programs fail 07:39 — Why communication and trust matter 15:36 — Redesigning work for better wellbeing 28:27 — 3 practical tips for the leaders Subscribe to Happy@Work for more insights on modern leadership, organizational performance, and human-centric workplace culture. #WorkplaceWellbeing #WorkplaceCulture #WorkplaceMentalHealth #Happiness #TalentAcquisition #CorporateWellnessPrograms #EmployeeEngagement #EmployeeRetention #HRBestPractices #HappyAtWork

    Workplace Wellbeing That Actually Works: Dr. Louise Lambert on Fixing Broken Culture

  7. Aug 11

    Alex Her: How to Turn Employees Into Brand Ambassadors

    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

    Alex Her: How to Turn Employees Into Brand Ambassadors

  8. Aug 4

    Nancy Zakharia: How to Build Real Psychological Safety (Not Just Buzzwords)

    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

    Nancy Zakharia: How to Build Real Psychological Safety (Not Just Buzzwords)
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About

In today’s fast-paced corporate world, achieving true wellbeing and happiness isn't just a nice-to-have; it’s a business imperative. We are pulling back the curtain on how top companies are navigating massive digital transformation without losing their human touch. Every week, we explore with international experts how cutting-edge AI is reshaping how we work while helping HR teams build an irresistible employer brand that attracts top-tier talent. We don't just talk about abstract concepts; we break down actionable strategies. We'll show you how to embrace digital transformation and leverage.

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  • Creator
    Tatiana Koval; Tony Koval | Why the Future of AI workplace is Human Happiness
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    82
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Tatiana Koval; Tony Koval | Why the Future of AI workplace is Human Happiness
  • Show Website
    Happy at Work | Coding Happiness into the AI Workplace