196. Does your CEO have Big Toddler Energy? PLUS! Touching grass, accidental bullies and hiring mistakes, with Stuart Mace - This Week in Work, 13th May 2025

Welcome back to Truth, Lies & Work, the award-winning psychology podcast from the HubSpot Podcast Network — hosted by business owner Al Elliott and Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott.

This week, we’re asking a big question: Could well-meaning managers be bullying their teams without even realising it? New research suggests it’s not about personality clashes — but broken systems. From underperformance meetings to inconsistent shift scheduling, the way we manage people might be doing more harm than good.

🔥 This Week’s News Roundup

🧠 Touch Grass: Why getting outside is actually good for your brain A National Geographic article explores the science behind outdoor time and cognitive restoration. Read: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/health/article/touch-grass-mental-health-outdoors

👶 Toddler vs CEO: Who actually has more emotional regulation? A viral tweet draws comparisons between toddler tantrums and CEO outbursts — with hilarious (and thought-provoking) results. Tweet: https://x.com/steipete/status/1921513623668568358

🎯 Bullying at work: New research blames bad management, not bad people Leanne shares insights from her Medium article on why bullying is often a systems issue — not a personality problem.
Read: https://medium.com/@truthlieswork/want-to-prevent-bullying-at-work-fix-your-people-management-first-da256af80558

🔥 Hot Take of the Week
This week’s guest is Stuart Mace, former recruiter and now workplace wellbeing specialist. Stuart shares why your hiring process tells candidates more about your company than your careers page ever could — and how ghosting, vague role definitions and slow comms can quietly destroy your employer brand.

Connect with Stuart: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuartmace/

🩺 Workplace Surgery
– Should freelancers ask clients to tell them when they’re sick? – How do you survive a toxic job when you can’t afford to leave? – I’m scared to manage people. Would a course help?

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🧠 General Support with Mental Health and Wellbeing
Mind UK: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/
Samaritans (UK, free helpline): Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org

💬 Connect with Al & Leanne
Truth, Lies & Work on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork
Al on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliott
Leanne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetleanne
Email: hello@truthliesandwork.com
Book a call: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat