Truth, Lies and Work

Truth, Lies, and Work is an award-winning psychology podcast from the HubSpot Podcast Network, hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott.After our January unfiltered series, we’re back to our This Week in Work format, bringing you the latest workplace news, expert insights, and solutions to your burning workplace dilemmas.🗓️ News Roundup The TikTok Ban in the U.S.:We explore the upcoming federal ban on TikTok, set to take effect on January 19, 2025, unless ByteDance divests its U.S. operations. Source: TikTok ban explained – BBC NewsSoft Quitting:Dr. Diane Hamilton introduces the concept of soft quitting—subtler and potentially more harmful than quiet quitting. Source: What is soft quitting? – ForbesWellness Trends for 2025:Forbes highlights unconventional wellness trends that are set to transform the workplace, including financial wellness programs, menopause support, and biophilic office design. Source: Wellness Trends for 2025 – Forbes🔥 Paula Brockwell’s Hot Take: Why Vision and Values Won’t Fix Your CultureThis week’s hot take comes from the brilliant Paula Brockwell, a Chartered Occupational Psychologist and founder of The Employee Experience Project. With over 20 years of experience helping businesses untangle culture challenges, Paula is known for her no-nonsense, practical approach to sustainable change.Paula’s perspective on vision and values? They’re often used as a crutch in culture transformation, but they rarely deliver real results. 💡 World-Famous Workplace Surgery Unifying Management Across Locations:A listener asks for help standardizing management practices across multiple stores. Leanne provides tips for creating consistency without undermining individuality.Burnout in Engineering Teams:Late nights and weekend work are taking their toll on an engineering team. Leanne shares advice on approaching leadership about sustainable workload expectations.Adapting to AI Changes:A research analyst worried about AI’s impact on job security gets actionable steps to future-proof their career in an AI-driven world.General Support with Mental Health and Well-beingIf you have been affected by any of the themes in this episode, or are currently struggling with your mental health, the following resources may be useful.Mind website: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/If you are feeling in distress or despair, including feelings of suicide, please do consider calling the Samaritans for free on 116 123 (UK) or email jo@samaritans.org (Rest of World)Connect with Al and LeanneJoin the Conversation on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork/Connect with Al on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliott/Connect with Leanne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetleanneEmail: Hello@truthliesandwork.comBook a Call with Al & Leanne: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat

Truth, Lies, and Work is an award-winning psychology podcast from the HubSpot Podcast Network, hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott.This episode marks the final installment in our Unfiltered Series, where we’ve brought you the raw, unedited conversations with some of the most thought-provoking and inspiring guests we’ve ever had on the show. Today, we close the series with a conversation about anger—an emotion we’re all grappling with in these challenging times.Our guest is Dr. Ryan Martin, a psychologist, Dean at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, and author of How to Deal with Angry People. Known as The Anger Professor on TikTok, Ryan combines humor, research, and practical insights to help us better understand anger and how to handle it in ourselves and others.🗓️ Episode Overview: In this unfiltered conversation, Dr. Ryan Martin demystifies anger, separating fact from fiction and offering practical strategies to manage it effectively. From understanding why anger is often misunderstood to exploring how it impacts our personal and professional lives, this episode will leave you with valuable tools for navigating this powerful emotion.🎧 Key Topics Covered: What Anger Really Is The emotional response to being wronged, experiencing injustice, or facing goal-blocking. Why anger is not the same as aggression and why that distinction matters. Anger in the Workplace How anger manifests at work and its impact on teams. Strategies leaders can use to de-escalate tense situations and foster emotional balance. Debunking the Catharsis MythWhy punching pillows or smashing plates doesn’t actually relieve anger—and might even make it worse.The Contagious Nature of AngerHow anger spreads through teams and communities, and the role of modeling in both childhood and adulthood.Practical Anger Management Strategies for staying calm in the moment, from planning ahead to using non-complementary responses. How to identify when it’s time to disengage from a toxic or unresolvable situation. 💡 Key Takeaways: Anger is a normal and natural emotion, but how we express it defines its impact. Understanding the root cause of anger—be it injustice, mistreatment, or frustration—can help us respond constructively. Leaders play a critical role in modeling calm behavior and addressing anger proactively in the workplace. Disengaging from toxic relationships or situations is sometimes the healthiest choice. Connect with Our Guest: Follow Dr. Ryan Martin on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @TheAngerProfessor Visit AllTheRageScience.com for more resources on anger management and Dr. Martin’s work. 🎧 What’s Next: This concludes our Unfiltered Series! We want to thank all of our amazing guests—Rory Sutherland, Professor John Amaechi, Professor Sir Cary Cooper, Nora Burns, Bruce Daisley, and Dr. Ryan Martin—for their incredible insights.Next week, we’ll return to our usual This Week in Work format, bringing you workplace news, expert takes, and our world-famous workplace surgery. Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss it!General Support with Mental Health and Well-beingIf you have been affected by any of the themes in this episode, or are currently struggling with your mental health, the following resources may be useful.Mind website: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/If you are feeling in distress or despair, including feelings of suicide, please do consider calling the Samaritans for free on 116 123 (UK) or email jo@samaritans.org (Rest of World)Connect with Al and LeanneJoin the Conversation on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork/Connect with Al on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliott/Connect with Leanne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetleanneEmail: Hello@truthliesandwork.comBook a Call with Al & Leanne: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat

Truth, Lies, and Work is an award-winning psychology podcast from the HubSpot Podcast Network, hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott.This episode is part of our Unfiltered Series, where we bring you the full, raw, unedited conversations with some of the most brilliant minds shaping the future of work. Today, we welcome Bruce Daisley, workplace culture expert, bestselling author of The Joy of Work and Fortitude, and host of the acclaimed podcast Eat Sleep Work Repeat.🗓️ Episode Overview: Recorded just in time for Blue Monday, Bruce Daisley challenges everything we thought we knew about resilience, burnout, and workplace culture. In this exclusive, unfiltered conversation, Bruce shares actionable insights on creating a workplace where people thrive—without toxic expectations or outdated ideas of resilience.🎧 Key Topics Covered: The Truth About ResilienceWhy traditional resilience training doesn’t work and how resilience is actually a collective strength, not an individual trait.Tackling BurnoutEye-opening statistics on burnout in the modern workplace and why systemic change, not personal grit, is the solution.Building Stronger TeamsPractical advice for leaders on fostering connection, trust, and a sense of belonging, even in hybrid or remote work environments.The Importance of Laughter at WorkHow humor builds stronger teams and why laughing with colleagues can be a game-changer for workplace culture.The Future of WorkWhy flexibility and social connection are essential for sustaining healthy workplace cultures in a post-pandemic world.💡 Key Takeaways: Resilience is drawn from the strength of our connections, not individual toughness. Burnout is a symptom of broken systems, not personal failure. Social connection—whether through team lunches, shared rituals, or crisp Thursdays—drives better culture and performance. 🎧 What’s Next in the Series: Join us next week for the final episode in our Unfiltered Series with Ryan Martin, known as The Anger Professor, who will share insights on managing emotions in the workplace.💡 Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to check out Bruce Daisley’s books, The Joy of Work and Fortitude, and his podcast, Eat Sleep Work Repeat. Visit brucedaisley.com for more resources.General Support with Mental Health and Well-beingIf you have been affected by any of the themes in this episode, or are currently struggling with your mental health, the following resources may be useful.Mind website: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/If you are feeling in distress or despair, including feelings of suicide, please do consider calling the Samaritans for free on 116 123 (UK) or email jo@samaritans.org (Rest of World)Connect with Al and LeanneJoin the Conversation on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork/Connect with Al on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliott/Connect with Leanne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetleanneEmail: Hello@truthliesandwork.comBook a Call with Al & Leanne: https://oblonghq.com/book/

Truth, Lies, and Work is an award-winning psychology podcast from the HubSpot Podcast Network, hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott.This episode is part of our Unfiltered Series, featuring the full, raw, unedited interviews with some of the most inspiring voices in workplace culture. Today, we welcome Nora Burns, better known as The Undercover Candidate and a trailblazer in redefining recruitment and workplace culture.🗓️ Episode Overview: First featured in Episode 74, Nora brings her groundbreaking research to the table, sharing eye-opening insights from over 250 undercover job interviews and frontline work experiences in Fortune 500 companies. If you’re navigating January’s prime recruiting season—whether as a job seeker or a hiring manager—this episode is packed with revelations that will transform the way you think about hiring, onboarding, and workplace culture.🎧 Key Topics Covered: The Undercover Candidate ProjectNora’s unique journey of posing as a job candidate to uncover unethical, lazy, and sometimes illegal hiring practices.How Recruitment Shapes Workplace CultureWhy recruitment is the foundation of a strong workplace culture and how poor candidate experiences can set the tone for mistrust and disengagement.Trends in Onboarding and LeadershipInsights into why onboarding fails, how managers “throw corporate under the bus,” and the critical gap in developing leadership courage.Addressing Bias in HiringThe dangers of bias in traditional hiring processes and how AI might amplify these issues if not managed carefully.What Employers Get Wrong About HiringThe pitfalls of ghosting candidates, neglecting communication, and undervaluing the candidate experience.Nora’s Upcoming BookA sneak peek into Nora’s 2024 releases, including a mini book collection and her full-length book on the undercover candidate and employee experience.💡 Key Takeaways: Recruitment is the starting point of the employment relationship—get it right, and the results will ripple throughout your culture. Poor hiring practices not only harm your reputation but can cost you future candidates and customers. Strong communication and respect for candidates' time are non-negotiable for building trust and engagement. Resources:Connect with Nora: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noraburns/Pre-purchase Nora's book: https://www.theleadershipexperts.com/shop🎧 What’s Next in the Series: Join us next week for an unfiltered conversation with Bruce Daisley, where we’ll explore resilience and rethinking work-life balance.General Support with Mental Health and Well-beingIf you have been affected by any of the themes in this episode, or are currently struggling with your mental health, the following resources may be useful.Mind website: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/If you are feeling in distress or despair, including feelings of suicide, please do consider calling the Samaritans for free on 116 123 (UK) or email jo@samaritans.org (Rest of World)Connect with Al and LeanneJoin the Conversation on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork/Connect with Al on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliott/Connect with Leanne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetleanneEmail: Hello@truthliesandwork.comBook a Call with Al & Leanne: https://oblonghq.com/book/

In this engaging discussion, Professor Sir Cary Cooper, a leading expert in organizational psychology and workplace well-being, delves into crucial topics affecting modern workplaces. He emphasizes how financial stress significantly impacts employee productivity and mental health. Sir Cary also advocates for the vital role of line managers who blend technical expertise with emotional intelligence to foster a supportive environment. He explores the necessity of open conversations around financial well-being and shares insights on innovative management styles that prioritize employee satisfaction.

Experts delve into the rise of toxic leadership and the urgent need for empathetic management practices. They discuss the growing issues of hope labor and invisible work, emphasizing the importance of recognition and fair compensation. Predictions highlight how career success will hinge on self-advocacy and personal branding. The childcare crisis takes center stage, pushing employers to provide better support for working parents. These insights shape a roadmap for navigating the workplace challenges of 2025 with optimism and action.

Welcome to a very special New Year’s Eve edition of Truth, Lies & Work! Normally, we'd be bringing you our regular Tuesday episode with the news roundup, workplace surgery, and hot takes, but today we’re doing something different. It's the holiday season—time to relax, reflect, and spend time with loved ones. So, to mark the occasion, we’re sharing the full, never-before-heard interview with one of our most exciting guests to date, Professor John Amaechi OBE.Professor John Amaechi is an extraordinary individual with an inspiring journey and impressive credentials. He’s the first Brit to play in the NBA, a Professor of Leadership at the University of Exeter Business School, founder of APS Intelligence, and non-executive director for a FTSE 250 company. John is also the author of the Sunday Times bestseller The Promises of Giants, where he offers a bold new approach to leadership. He’s a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, self-awareness in leadership, and the power of critical thinking. Plus, he’s got some very strong opinions on Star Wars and peanut butter—trust us, you’ll want to hear this.In this extended, unedited conversation, Leanne and John dive deep into what makes a great leader, the challenges of diversity in leadership roles, and the importance of self-awareness. Key Topics: Leadership vs Management: What sets true leadership apart from management and why this distinction is vital. Diversity & Inclusion: How inclusive leadership impacts business success, and why mediocrity is the real enemy in workplace diversity. The Importance of Self-Awareness: Why great leadership begins with understanding yourself, and how this critical skill can shape your effectiveness as a leader. The Role of Leadership in Society: Why leaders must be responsible for shaping both the culture within their organizations and the wider community. Star Wars & Peanut Butter: John’s take on the best Star Wars film (spoiler: it’s a good one) and the only acceptable way to eat peanut butter. Yes, we went there. Why You Should Listen:This interview is one for the books. Whether you’re a business leader, an aspiring entrepreneur, or just someone looking for a fresh perspective on leadership, John’s insights are invaluable. This episode dives into the real, human side of leadership, touching on vulnerability, self-awareness, and why leading with authenticity can be the key to success.Grab a coffee, relax, and get ready to be inspired by one of the most influential thinkers in leadership today.More from John Amaechi:Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amaechi/The Promises of Giants: https://www.amazon.com/Promises-Giants-John-Amaechi/dp/1529345871APS Intelligence LTD: https://www.apsintel.com/General Support with Mental Health and Well-beingIf you have been affected by any of the themes in this episode, or are currently struggling with your mental health, the following resources may be useful.Mind website: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/If you are feeling in distress or despair, including feelings of suicide, please do consider calling the Samaritans for free on 116 123 (UK) or email jo@samaritans.org (Rest of World)Connect with Al and LeanneJoin the Conversation on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork/Connect with Al on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliott/Connect with Leanne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetleanneEmail: Hello@truthliesandwork.comBook a Call with Al & Leanne: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat

In this insightful discussion, Chris Savage, CEO of Wistia, shares his predictions for the future of remote work and AI's transformative impact on the workplace. He emphasizes that companies will navigate a new balance in remote setups, leveraging AI to enhance collaboration. The conversation also highlights the rising value of soft skills, such as emotional intelligence and communication, as technical tasks become increasingly automated. Savage urges listeners to adapt to these changes for a more productive and fulfilling work environment.

Welcome to Part 1 of our special Christmas Eve episode of Truth, Lies & Work! This isn’t your typical holiday episode — we're taking a break from the usual work chatter to bring you something special.Today, we’re releasing the full, unedited interview with the one and only Rory Sutherland, Vice Chairman of Ogilvy & Mather and the founder of the Behavioral Science Unit at Ogilvy. Rory’s previous episode with us (Episode 83) was one of our most popular, and we’re beyond excited to bring you Part 1 of this extended conversation.This interview dives deep into Rory’s vast expertise in behavioral science, marketing, and leadership. Rory has been a thought leader in advertising for decades, and his insights on human behavior, creativity, and business strategy are nothing short of enlightening.In today’s episode, we talk about: The Future of Work: Insights into the evolving landscape and the need for businesses to adapt and thrive. Rory’s Journey: From Ogilvy’s Vice Chairman to launching a Behavioral Science Unit within one of the world’s largest agencies. Behavioral Science: How understanding human behavior drives success in advertising and leadership. Innovation & Creativity: The role of unconventional ideas in transforming businesses. Personal Reflections: Rory’s unique take on work-life balance, career growth, and the power of good storytelling. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Rory’s Books: Alchemy: The Surprising Power of Ideas That Don’t Make Sense Connect with Rory Sutherland: LinkedIn Twitter Ogilvy Don’t Miss Part 2!!Make sure to catch Part 2 of this interview, available exclusively on our YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3_hIyk9KjxJQ1lZWhiaqDwGeneral Support with Mental Health and Well-beingIf you have been affected by any of the themes in this episode, or are currently struggling with your mental health, the following resources may be useful.Mind website: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/If you are feeling in distress or despair, including feelings of suicide, please do consider calling the Samaritans for free on 116 123 (UK) or email jo@samaritans.org (Rest of World)Connect with Al and LeanneJoin the Conversation on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork/Connect with Al on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliott/Connect with Leanne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetleanneEmail: Hello@truthliesandwork.comBook a Call with Al & Leanne: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat

Truth, Lies, and Work is an award-winning psychology podcast brought to you by the HubSpot Podcast Network, hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott.This week’s Thursday episode features Louise Hill, co-founder and CEO of GoHenry, a fintech company empowering kids and families with financial literacy through their prepaid debit card and educational app.🗓️ Episode Overview: Louise Hill shares her journey from starting GoHenry in 2012 to leading the company’s growth to over 6 million members across five countries. With a mission to make every child smart with money, Louise discusses how GoHenry is transforming financial education, navigating rapid growth, and maintaining a strong workplace culture across multiple countries.🎧 Key Topics Covered: The Inspiration Behind GoHenryLouise explains how her kids’ spending habits on iTunes inspired her to create a tool that helps children understand the value of money in an increasingly digital world.How GoHenry WorksFeatures like pocket money tracking, savings goals, tasks and chores, and even micro-donations empower kids aged 6–18 to learn practical money skills.Maintaining Culture During GrowthThe “Little Red Book of GoHenry” captures the company’s core values, ensuring the culture remains strong as the team expands rapidly across countries.Challenges of ScalingLouise shares how she addressed bottlenecks caused by single points of failure in the business and fostered open communication within her team.Female Entrepreneurship and FundraisingLouise reflects on the challenges of being a female founder in a male-dominated industry and how she successfully raised $125 million in funding through multiple rounds, including record-breaking crowdfunding campaigns.Financial Literacy and Social MobilityResearch shows that financial education can improve lifetime earnings, promote entrepreneurship, and enhance savings, making it a critical tool for social mobility.The Importance of Culture in BusinessLouise discusses why embedding values like collaboration, embracing change, and daring to fail is essential for building a resilient and adaptable company.Find Out MoreConnect with Louise on LinkedInCheck Out GoHenry and win £500!🎧 What’s Next: Join us on Christmas Eve for the unedited interview with Rory Sutherland, and tune in New Year’s Eve for the full conversation with organizational psychology legend Professor John Amaechi, OBE.General Support with Mental Health and Well-beingIf you have been affected by any of the themes in this episode, or are currently struggling with your mental health, the following resources may be useful.Mind website: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/If you are feeling in distress or despair, including feelings of suicide, please do consider calling the Samaritans for free on 116 123 (UK) or email jo@samaritans.org (Rest of World)Connect with Al and LeanneJoin the Conversation on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork/Connect with Al on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliott/Connect with Leanne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetleanneEmail: Hello@truthliesandwork.comBook a Call with Al & Leanne: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat