Balancing Stretch Goals and Realism

This week on Truth, Lies & Work, Al and Leanne sit down with Dr Matt Poepsel, Marine veteran, author and the self-proclaimed Godfather of Talent Optimization at The Predictive Index. In a world shaped by burnout, uncertainty and rapid AI disruption, Matt argues that many organisations are facing a “hope crisis” – and it is quietly draining performance, motivation and leadership effectiveness.

What We Cover

Matt explains why hope is not fluffy positivity but a measurable psychological skill linked directly to job performance, resilience and team culture. Drawing on Snyder’s Hope Theory, he shows how two components – agency (belief you can influence outcomes) and pathways (seeing the concrete steps to succeed) – determine whether people stay engaged or slip into autopilot.

We also explore why so many teams are struggling: years of instability, constant change and leaders who unknowingly remove autonomy or fail to explain the path forward. Matt shares practical ways leaders can rebuild hope by creating clarity, showing people where they fit, and setting ambitious but achievable goals.

The conversation moves into modern leadership, where AI automates admin but heightens the importance of human connection, psychological safety and real alignment. Matt introduces his concept of Enlightened Leadership – a shift away from outdated command-and-control approaches toward a more selfless, purpose-driven model that balances technology with humanity.

If you lead people, manage teams or want to stay ahead in a rapidly changing workplace, this episode offers concrete actions to build engagement, performance and wellbeing in 2026 and beyond.

• Why hope predicts job performance as strongly as intelligence

• How burnout, bureaucracy and unclear goals quietly erode hope

• The difference between hope, optimism and positivity

• Why new beginnings generate motivation and why post-achievement crashes happen

• How leaders can use agency and pathways to rebuild engagement

• Why AI makes human leadership a competitive advantage

• What Enlightened Leadership looks like in practice

• How to measure hope inside your organisation

• Why hope becomes contagious when leaders model it

Connect with Matt Poepsel

🌐 Website: https://mattpoepsel.com
💼 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel
🎧 Podcast: Lead the People – https://www.mattpoepsel.com/podcasts/lead-the-people

Connect with Al & Leanne

LinkedIn (Show): https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork
Al Elliott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliott
Leanne Elliott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetleanne
Email: hello@truthliesandwork.com
Book a call: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat
Website: https://truthliesandwork.com/

Mental Health Support

Samaritans (UK & Ireland) – 116 123
Mind (England & Wales) – 0300 102 1234
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US) – Call or text 988
Find A Helpline (Global) – https://findahelpline.com/