What professionalism means today

Welcome back to Truth, Lies & Work, the award-winning podcast where behavioural science meets workplace culture — brought to you by the HubSpot Podcast Network, the audio destination for business professionals.

This week, Al and Leanne sit down with Nick Power — senior marketing leader at The Noun Project and one of the most talked-about voices on LinkedIn. With more than 30 000 followers and millions of views, Nick has built a reputation for doing what most professionals won’t: calling out corporate nonsense, talking openly about burnout, and reminding us that being human is not unprofessional.

💡 Key Takeaways

In this episode, Nick shares the good, the bad, and the ugly of being honest online — from viral one-liners and “weird LinkedIn” to the backlash that comes with visibility. It’s a masterclass in authenticity, humour, and how to show up as yourself without burning bridges or your reputation.

🔗 Resources & Links

• Honesty beats polish. Professionalism isn’t about perfection — it’s about skill, integrity and being easy to work with.

• Short form wins. Think fortune-cookie insights, not essays. Nick’s rule: write something people can finish before they scroll.

• Start conversations, not lectures. The goal isn’t likes; it’s dwell time, dialogue, and trust.

• Authenticity ≠ oversharing. Show humanity, not your diary. Find your own line between personal and performative.

• Expect the trolls. Nick opens up about LinkedIn Lunatics, the subreddit that mocks viral posts — and why bullying under the guise of humour says more about insecurity than content quality.

Above all, Nick argues that being real online doesn’t damage your brand — it defines it.

Follow Nick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickcpower
Shop Nick’s merch: https://www.nickpower.co
Learn more about The Noun Project: https://thenounproject.com

🧠 Support with Mental Health and Well-being

– Mind UK: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/
– Samaritans (UK): Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org

📬 Connect with Al & Leanne

– LinkedIn: 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 chat: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat

🎧 Coming up Tuesday

Don’t miss next week’s This Week in Work, where we unpack the biggest workplace headlines and another round of Truth or Lie. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.