COVID inquiry: toxic culture slowed response

Welcome to another edition of This Week in Work, where Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott break down the latest news on people, culture, and behavioral science.

This week, we look at the direct, measurable impact of toxic culture and unpack the new anxieties surrounding Artificial Intelligence. Plus, in our Truth or Lies segment, we dive deep into the science behind 'faking it 'til you make it'.

📰 The News Round-Up

• The Brutal COVID Inquiry Report: The report found that the "toxic and chaotic" workplace culture inside Downing Street directly slowed the pandemic response.

  • Full Article: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c986821m604o

• The Rise of AI Anxiety (AIA): A new report suggests that while C-Suite leaders have high expectations for AI boosting productivity, most employees (77%) feel it has added to their workload.

  • Sarah Bregel (Reporter) Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-bregel-032585/

• Dreamers vs. Doers: Why do so many people dream of changing careers, but stay stuck? New research on temporal focus reveals that people most likely to move have a balanced temporal focus.

  • Original Study: doi.org/10.1111/joop.70064

💡 Truth or Lies: Can You Fake It Until You Make It?

We explore the famous mantra, fueled by high-profile stories of entrepreneurial bluffing.

• The Question: Can you actually fake it until you make it? We test the evidence on whether confident performance buys you real career progress or if it's just a short-term illusion.

🩺 World-Famous Weekly Workplace Surgery

We take questions from listeners, including a young fan from our "Ask Old People" segment.

1. Should I be hiring people who think like me or challenge me?

   • Questioner's dilemma: "My boss prefers to hire and promote people who closely match how she thinks and works... I'm the opposite. I like it when my team brings new ideas, challenges, and pushes things in directions I wouldn't have considered. Is one approach better than the other?"

2. How honest should I be with my employer about my mental health?

   • Questioner's dilemma: "I'm finding things tough at the moment. It's starting to affect me at work. I really want to be honest with my employer, but I'm worried it could backfire or change how I'm treated. Is it better to be upfront or should I keep things to myself?"

3. Have you ever regretted not taking a risk when you were younger?

   • Questioner's dilemma: "I'm weighing up something quite big at the moment and I think I'm worried I'll look back and regret playing it safe, but at the same time, I don't wanna make a huge mistake. How do you know the difference between a smart risk and a reckless one?"

📬 Connect with Al & Leanne (Truth, Lies & Work)

• 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

• Podcast Website: https://truthliesandwork.com/

💚 Mental Health Support Resources

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Please reach out to one of the following confidential services:

• Samaritans (UK & Ireland) - Emotional support for anyone struggling to cope, available 24/7.

  • Call: 116 123 (Free, 24/7)

• Mind (England & Wales) - Advice and support for mental health problems.

  • Phone: 0300 102 1234 (Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm)

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US-based) - Confidential, free, 24/7/365 support for those in crisis.

  • Call or Text: 988 (24/7)

• Find A Helpline (Global) - Connects users to over 1,600 free and confidential support resources worldwide.

  • Website: https://findahelpline.com/