Truth, Lies and Work 268. Does complaining at work rewire your brain? PLUS! Gen Z growth hunting, wellbeing perks and how to manifest success
Welcome back to Truth, Lies & Work, the podcast where behavioural science meets workplace culture.
This week we’re exploring what employees and leaders are really looking for at work right now — and how it’s shaping leadership behaviour, burnout, employee wellbeing, and workplace culture.
🔥 Stories covered
Why are Gen Z leaving jobs so quickly?
According to a Fast Company article by Jeff LeBlanc, Gen Z workers aren’t job-hopping out of disloyalty. They’re growth hunting.
The research shows:
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Nearly half of Gen Z plan to leave roles for better growth, not higher pay
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86% won’t upskill without employer funding
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43% feel too burnt out to learn outside work hours
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Cost, not motivation, is the biggest barrier to development
This reflects a wider shift in workplace expectations. When organisations talk about growth but don’t support it structurally, people move on. Gen Z isn’t rejecting work — they’re rejecting stagnation.
Jeff previously joined Truth, Lies & Work to discuss Gen Z, burnout, and leadership psychology: https://truthliesandwork.com/episodes/207-what-happens-when-leaders-start-being-kind-with-jeff-leblanc
You can also explore his book Engaged Empathy Leadership for practical, science-backed management advice: https://www.amazon.com/Engaged-Empathy-Leadership-Redefining-Action-ebook/dp/B0FCGSC48C
Does complaining at work make teams less resilient?
Research highlighted by Stanford suggests that repeated complaining rewires the brain.
Over time:
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Neural pathways linked to stress and threat detection strengthen
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Baseline stress levels rise
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Small irritations feel bigger
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Negativity becomes automatic
For leaders, this matters. Teams that normalise constant complaining may unintentionally reduce resilience, decision-making quality, and psychological safety.
🔗 https://x.com/shiningscience/status/2013113758386987099
What employee wellbeing benefits actually reduce burnout?
After a LinkedIn post went viral, Slate introduced a $200 monthly cleaning stipend for employees.
Why this matters for employee wellbeing:
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It removes friction instead of adding effort
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It gives people time and mental space back
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It supports carers and those under chronic time pressure
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Research consistently links cluttered environments to higher stress
This reframes wellbeing away from “one more thing to do” and towards burnout prevention.
🔥 Truth or Lie
Can you manifest success just by visualising it?
Lie — if it’s about imagining outcomes alone.
Truth — when visualisation is used to plan actions and effort.
Psychology shows visualising the process increases follow-through. Imagining success without action often reduces motivation.
💬 Workplace Surgery — practical management advice
This week we answer:
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What’s the earliest sign of burnout before someone admits it?
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Is it genuinely hard to find a good manager?
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If you hate your job and feel stuck, what’s the first practical step?
🎧 Coming up Thursday
We’re joined by Beth Sherman to explore how humour builds trust, rapport, and confident decision-making at work.
💬 Connect with Truth, Lies & Work
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Website: https://truthliesandwork.com
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Email: hello@truthliesandwork.com
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truth-lies-and-work
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthlieswork
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Al Elliott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alelliott/
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Leanne Elliott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leanneelliott/
🧠 Mental health support
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UK & ROI: Samaritans — 116 123 | https://www.samaritans.org
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US: Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — 988 | https://988lifeline.org
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Australia: Lifeline — 13 11 14 | https://www.lifeline.org.au
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Elsewhere: https://findahelpline.com