Today, Elaine Lin Hering, bestselling author and expert on speak-up cultures, joins Henry and Maureen for an insightful conversation on creating a happier workplace.

Elaine reveals insights from her global work on “unlearning silence” in workplaces, explaining how silence is often learned from childhood and reinforced by leadership and cultural norms.

Elaine also shares practical strategies for fostering genuine speak-up cultures and the importance of recognising systemic silencing, with actionable steps leaders can take to create more inclusive, human-centered, and joyful work environments.

In this conversation, you'll hear new ways, ideas, and opportunities to develop your leadership skills and approach.

Elaine's tips for a happy workplace:

• Acknowledge that people are human and let them be human
• Make the full range of emotions acceptable in the workplace
• Work is not everything - we all have lives outside of work
• Honour the gifts and skills in the workplace - there needs to be trust

Links and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Happy Workplace

NK Chaudhary (NKC) shares his journey from humble beginnings to building a global social enterprise that empowers over 40,000 artisans, many from marginalised communities.

Chatting with Henry and Maureen, NKC shares his commitment to dignity, inclusion, and love in business. He talks about his efforts to break caste barriers and his focus on self-management, mindfulness, and introspection.

We reflect on NKC’s inspiring leadership and the transformative impact of Jaipur Rugs, celebrating the creativity and empowerment of women artisans, as well as the deeper meaning woven into every rug.

NKC's tips for a happy workplace:

• We must love what we do
• Find harmony with self, those we work with, and our surroundings
• Be more mindful and present

Links and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Happy Workplace

Dr. Srikumar Rao, TEDx speaker and creator of the pioneering course, Creativity and Personal Mastery, joins our hosts, Henry and Maureen, and shares how our internal mental chatter shapes our reality and can cause unnecessary suffering.

Drawing on the Buddha’s "parable of the second arrow" and other stories, Dr. Rao offers practical advice on observing thoughts, reframing challenges, and cultivating happiness in life and at the workplace.

You'll hear personal anecdotes, Srikumar's reflections on joy, and tips for feeding positivity in ourselves and others.

Srikumar's tips for a happy workplace:

• Observe your mental chatter
• Stop experiencing the tragedies that have never happened
• What can I do to help this person have a better experience of life

Links and resources mentioned in this episode:

• The Rao Institute
• Happy Workplace