256. Gen-Alpha are coming! PLUS! Micro-joy, power poses and what to get the CEO for Christmas

Welcome back to This Week in Work — the show where behavioural science meets workplace culture, brought to you by the HubSpot Podcast Network.
Hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott.

🔥 Stories Covered

1. Generation Alpha are coming (Benenden Health report)

A major new workforce study shows the 11–15 age group expect flexible careers, strong mental health support and employers who understand neurodiversity.
Only 11 percent expect one career path, 77 percent want meaningful wellbeing support, and six in ten personally know someone who is neurodivergent.
HR leaders admit they’re not ready. The report warns workplaces will need redesigning around manager capability, clear communication and personalised support.
Link: benenden.co.uk/media/10551/bh-gen-alpha-workforce-report.pdf

2. Starbucks faces its largest strike yet

Around 2,500 baristas across more than 120 US stores have walked out in the longest coordinated action in company history.
Four years after the first union vote, not a single store has a contract. Workers cite pay, conditions, understaffing and stalled negotiations.
Leadership churn and sliding trust sit at the core of the dispute — a lesson for any employer relying too heavily on dashboards instead of people.
Link: theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/02/starbucks-union-strike

3. The rise of micro-joys (Forbes + The Progress Principle)
Micro-joys boost resilience, support creativity, reduce cognitive load and keep teams motivated through meaningful “small progress.”
For leaders, these moments are easy to design into a working day — and they compound.
Links:
forbes.com/sites/traversmark/2025/11/29/why-micro-joys-are-the-key-to-life-long-happiness
progressprinciple.com

🔥 Truth or Lie

Can power posing actually increase confidence?
The viral TED claim promised hormonal shifts and bold behaviour in two minutes. Replications haven’t supported the biological claims — but the psychological effect survived. Expansive postures don’t transform you, yet contractive postures reliably make people feel worse.
The verdict: a light nudge, not a superpower.

💬 Workplace Surgery

New coverage of Amabile and Kramer’s work highlights why small moments matter far more than big wins.

This week’s dilemmas:
• “Help — I pulled the CEO for Secret Santa.”
• “Can my employer challenge home-working adjustments already approved by occupational health?”
• “Where do I start with a competency model that’s genuinely useful?”

Referenced frameworks:
• SHL Universal Competency Framework – shl.com
• Handbook of Competency Mapping (Seema Sanghi) – amazon.com/Handbook-Competency-Mapping

🎧 Coming Up Thursday

We’re welcoming back Rob Kalwarowsky, one of the world’s leading executive coaches. He’s sharing how to capitalise on chaos in 2026 — and offering a major giveaway to get you off to a flying start.

🧠 Support with Mental Health and Well-being

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

📬 Connect with Al & Leanne

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork
Al: linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliott
Leanne: linkedin.com/in/meetleanne
Email: hello@truthliesandwork.com
Book a call: savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat