172. Career Catfishing, CEO Meltdowns & Why Breaks Boost Learning. PLUS! The 5-Step Formula to Avoid Burnout, with Anna Reddy - This Week in Work, 17th February 2025

Truth, Lies, and Work is an award-winning psychology podcast from the HubSpot Podcast Network, hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott.

Every Tuesday, we bring you This Week in Work - your go-to for workplace news, a HOT TAKE from an industry expert, and our world-famous weekly workplace surgery, where Leanne answers your trickiest work dilemmas.

🗞 News Roundup:

1️⃣ JP Morgan CEO’s Gen-Z Rant Leaks

• Jamie Dimon loses it over remote work, Gen-Z, and "work-from-home Fridays."
• Full article: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/02/14/lazy-gen-z-get-back-office-or-get-new-job-jp-morgan-boss/

2️⃣ Career Catfishing & Office Ghosting: The Gen-Z Job Market Hacks

• "Career Catfishing" is the workplace version of dating app lies—exaggerating skills, experiences, and qualifications to land better jobs.
• Full article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrobinson/2025/02/02/career-catfishing-and-office-ghosting-gen-zs-no-show-work-trends/

3️⃣ Science Says Short Breaks Boost Learning (And Why Grinding Might Be Hurting You)

• A new NIH study found that the brain actually learns faster during breaks—not while practicing.
• Full study: https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/study-shows-how-taking-short-breaks-may-help-our-brains-learn-new-skills

🔥 Hot Take of the Week: Anna Reddy’s READY Method for Staying Energized

Anna Reddy, founder of Leap Health, shares her READY framework—5 simple steps to maintain energy, focus, and resilience at work.

🛠 The READY Method:

✅ R – Rest, Recovery, Recharge (Sleep & downtime matter)

✅ E – Eating well (Fuel your brain like a Ferrari)

✅ A – Activity (Movement boosts productivity & creativity)

✅ D – Distraction Management (Filter out negative noise)

✅ Y – You (Define your long-term purpose, not just work goals)

📢 Find Anna’s work at:

• Website: www.leaphealth.co.uk
• Podcast: Leap Health Workplace Podcast
• LinkedIn: Anna Reddy

💡 World-Famous Workplace Surgery:

📌 Q1: Our Friendly Culture Has Become Too Friendly... Way Too Friendly

• Casual chats have turned into toxic gossip. How do you scale a startup’s culture without losing the informal vibe?

📌 Q2: The Work After-Hours Club That I Just Can't Join

• Weekly "optional" after-work drinks are not so optional—but some employees (like parents) feel excluded. How do you keep team bonding fair?

📌 Q3: Is My Employee Really This Unlucky, or Am I Being Played?

• A staff member has constant personal emergencies—flat floods, family crises, sick pets. How do you balance empathy with accountability?

🎧 What’s Next?

📅 This Thursday:

We sit down with Skye Waterson, one of the top experts on adult ADHD. If you're a leader, manager, or employee who wants to understand ADHD in the workplace, this is a must-listen.

General Support with Mental Health and Well-being

If you have been affected by any of the themes in this episode, or are currently struggling with your mental health, the following resources may be useful.

Mind website: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/

If you are feeling in distress or despair, including feelings of suicide, please do consider calling the Samaritans for free on 116 123 (UK) or email jo@samaritans.org (Rest of World)

Connect with Al and Leanne

Join the Conversation on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork/

Connect with Al on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliott/

Connect with Leanne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetleanne

Email: Hello@truthliesandwork.com

Book a Call with Al & Leanne: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat