The Happy Manifesto

Hosted by Henry Stewart, Maureen Egbe

Business Management Society Culture PhilosophyInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

May 2026

Language

About the show

How do you create a happy workplace, where people are truly fulfilled? This podcast talks both to experts and to leaders who have done it and can share their nickable ideas. It is based on the concepts of trust and freedom, outlined in the Happy Manifesto: https://www.happy.co.uk/the-happy-manifesto/

Listen to episodes

59 recent

June 10, 202624 min

How Leaders Can Transform Traditional Organisations into Thriving, High-Performing Workplaces with Dr. Anja Milde

Dr. Anja Milde, a former senior leader at Bayer, talks with us today about the company's radical organisational transformation.Hear how Bayer shifted from a rigid 12-layer hierarchy to a 'Dynamic Shared Ownership' model, empowering teams to make 95% of decisions, operating in 90-day learning cycles, and reducing management from 15,000 to 5,000 which delivered over 500 million euros in savings within the first year. Anja suggests that lasting transformation begins with individual mindset shiftsHear how her new company, Forward Evolution, helps other organisations achieve similar results.Anja's tips for a happy workplace:Transformation starts with yourselfDon't tell people what to do - let them make decisionsDo what you loveLinks and resources mentioned in this episode:Dr Anja Milde on LinkedIn4ward evolutionHappy Workplace

May 6, 202634 min

Nine Systems for a Joyful Workplace with Chief Medical Officer Dr. Apurv Gupta

Dr. Apurv Gupta, a former Chief Medical Officer and performance improvement expert, today discussed the redefinition of the relationship between love and work; in the workplace.Dr. Gupta argues that burnout isn't a failure of individuals, but a failure of systems designed around fear and industrial-age hierarchies.Hear why traditional performance improvement often ignores the human component and how COVID-19 acted as a catalyst for change.Dr. Gupta also shares with your hosts, Henry and Maureen, a deep dive into the 9 systems (4 people-based, 5 process-based) that constitute every organisation and how to move them from a place of fear to love.You'll also hear whether AI will dehumanise the workplace or act as a tool to supercharge connection and empathy; and 3 practical tips on his three pillars for a happy workplace.Dr. Gupta's tips for a happy workplace:Incorporate humour into your lifeStart your morning with gratitudeBring love into the workplace intentionallyLinks and resources mentioned in this episode:Dr. Apurv Gupta on LinkedInHappy Workplace

April 15, 202626 min

From Daughter to Woman: Revolutionising Leadership and Childhood Anxiety with Kim McCabe

Kim McCabe, is the founder of Rights for Girls and author of From Daughter to Woman.In this episode, Kim shares her journey as a leader, with your hosts, Maureen and Henry, discussing how embracing vulnerability and psychological safety transformed her organisation's culture.Kim also reveals how the alarming rise of anxiety and depression among young girls, advocates for restricting children's smartphone use, and offers practical parenting tips focused on unconditional love and confidence-building.Kim also provides some actionable workplace guidance, including the benefits of flexible hours and celebrating mistakes as learning opportunities.Kim's tips for a happy workplace:Pause before anything importantLet everyone choose their own hoursHope to make everyone feel like they belongLinks and resources mentioned in this episode:Kim's book From Daughter to Woman : Parenting girls safely through their teensRites for GirlsHappy Workplace

March 25, 202630 min

How Women Leaders Are Reshaping Global Diplomacy for Peace with Patricia Elias

Patricia Elias is international lawyer and founder of the “No Peace Without Women” campaign.In today's episode, Patricia shares some of her own journey; advocating for women’s leadership in peace building, highlighting how including women in negotiations can lead to more sustainable peace. Patricia shares with your hosts, Henry and Maureen, her humanitarian work, the upcoming UN event promoting women’s inclusion, and the importance of empowering women globally.Hear how you can support women’s leadership in peace processes and to sign the campaign’s petition for lasting, equitable change.Links and resources mentioned in this episode:UN Security Resolution 1325Patricia on LinkedInGlobal Petition No Peace Without WomenHappy Workplace

March 11, 202634 min

Care, Trust, and Pause: Building a Happy Workplace Culture with Jeanette Broneé

Well-being and leadership expert and author Jeanette Browning challenges burnout culture and reframes self-care as a leadership responsibility.In our chat today, with your hosts Henry and Maureen, Jeanette shares personal stories of burnout and caregiving, and introduces the concept of “power pausing” towards creating clarity and connection, with others and for others.Hear about the importance of listening with empathy and also how trust, agency, and caring conversations can transform workplace culture, towards making both high performance and humanity compatible.Jeanette also offers practical tips for happier workplaces, through pausing, building trust, and genuinely caring about people.Jeanette's tips for a happy workplace:Design "pausing" into your work and conversationsBuild trust (within people themselves) by creating space to listenCare about people (have a conversation)Links and resources mentioned in this episode:Jeanette's book The Self-care MindsetHappy Workplace

February 11, 202624 min

Stop Chasing Happiness: What Finnish Culture Can Teach You About Cultivating a Happy Workplace with Frank Martela

Finnish philosopher and psychologist Frank Martela, author of Stop Chasing Happiness joins hosts Henry and Maureen in today's episode, sharing insights on what makes life meaningful, why chasing happiness can backfire, and how the importance of autonomy, trust, and equality can foster meaning at workDrawing on Finnish culture and education, Frank reveals practical ways leaders can create and cultivate meaning at work, through the value of connecting with others, and how a “militarist” mindset—seeking constant improvement—can boost well-being. We also explore Finnish attitudes toward happiness, modesty, and resilience, offering you a fresh perspective on creating joyful, purposeful lives and workplaces.Frank's 3 tips for a happy workplace:Connect with yourself: reflect on who you are and what you enjoyConnect and spend time with people you loveDo good for other people: find your way to make a meaningful contributionLinks and resources mentioned in this episode:Frank's book, Stop Chasing Happiness Happy Workplace

January 28, 202633 min

Changing Perceptions and Happiness in Healthcare for Better Patient Outcomes with Vernon Bainton

Dr. Vernon Bainton, Chief Medical Officer at Havas Lynx and co-founder of the Health and Happiness Lab, shares his journey from medicine to healthcare innovation, focusing on patient-centred care and the importance of measuring happiness and well-being in both patients and staff.Vernon shares insights on the limitations of traditional clinical metrics, the impact of the pandemic on workplace well-being, and practical strategies for fostering trust, purpose, and joy at work.Today's conversation highlights the essential role of well-being in healthcare and organisational success.Vernon's tips for a happy workplace:Move beyond traditional job satisfaction (consider people's lives as a whole)Change how you capture information and set goalsFoster trust and accountability (build a culture of trust)Links and resources mentioned in this episode:Havas LynxHappy Workplace

January 7, 202626 min

Unlocking Potential: How Zero Gravity Has Empowered Over 15,000 Students to Reach Their Dreams with Joe Seddon

Talent is everywhere; opportunity is not.In this episode, Joe Seddon, founder and CEO of Zero Gravity, shares his journey from a single-parent household in West Yorkshire to launching an award-winning tech platform that supports over 15,000 talented students from low-income backgrounds, providing mentoring, coaching, and career pathways to help them gain entry into top UK universities and secure successful careers.Joe is widely recognised as a leader in tech for social mobility, and has been named in the Forbes 30 under 30 list, and received a British Empire Medal for services to social mobility.The conversation reveals the importance of having an authentic company culture, taking risks, and cultivating mission-driven leadership. Joe highlights, to your hosts, Henry and Maureen, Zero Gravity’s impact on social mobility, the power of mentoring, with Joe offering practical advice for building a happy and high-performing workplace.[Guest's] tips for a happy workplace:Measure what mattersDistil your culture into a culture deck and make this part of your onboarding processHuman beings are self-interested creatures: Incentivise and rewardLinks and resources mentioned in this episode:Zero GravityHappy Workplace

November 26, 202530 min

What African Entrepreneurs Can Teach Us About Creating a Happy Workplace with Alisa Sydow

In this episode, Alisa Sydow, Associate Professor at ESCP Business School, and Thinkers 50 Radar for 2025. Alisa shares her journey researching entrepreneurship in Africa, focusing on empowering female founders and local artisans in Kenya. She discusses the challenges of building authentic, culturally-rooted businesses and the importance of storytelling and branding for “Made in Kenya” products. Alisa also introduces her mentorship initiative, Numpy, supporting women entrepreneurs in the Global South. The conversation highlights the power of cultural pride, community, and authentic leadership in driving social impact through entrepreneurship.Alisa's tips for a happy workplace:Be authentic; embrace conflictDiversity can bring surpriseBe openLinks and resources mentioned in this episode:ESCP Business SchoolHappy Workplace

October 15, 202531 min

The Evolving Role of AI in a Creative and Happy Workplace with DJ

DJ, from Happy, shares his wisdom with us today about the evolving role of AI in work and life in 2025.Sharing insights on using AI as a “co-thinker” to boost creativity and critical thinking, you'll hear practical examples, from DJ, Maureen, and Henry, of AI effectiveness in the workplace, with examples, as we address data security, ethical use, and the importance of verifying the output of AI.DJ highlights the balance between human skills and AI, the value of clear workplace AI policies, and how to explore AI with curiosity, creativity, and caution.DJ's tips for a happy workplace:Have good AI policies (people are going to be using it)Encourage everyone in the organisation to use AI as a co-thinker (to upskill everyone)Have fun with AILinks and resources mentioned in this episode:Happy Workplace