126. 19 ways to improve your life, WTF is 'Founder Mode', and the UK's new 4-day work week - This Week in Work, 10th September 2024

Welcome back to another episode of the Truth, Lies & Work podcast, the award-winning psychology podcast brought to you by the HubSpot Podcast Network. Join your hosts, business psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott, as they dive into this week’s biggest stories in the world of work, share practical insights, and answer your burning workplace questions in our world-famous Weekly Workplace Surgery.

Introduction

We’re back in full swing for September, riding the wave of the “fresh start effect.” We’re now bringing you two episodes a week: Tuesdays are all about the This Week in Work roundup, and Thursdays feature expert guests from various fields. Last week’s guest was Ed Williams, co-founder of Candy Kittens—so if you missed that episode, be sure to check it out!

News Roundup

Leanne kicks off the news roundup with three exciting stories:

• UK to Introduce Right to Request a Four-Day Work Week: This autumn, workers in the UK will gain the legal right to request a four-day workweek, with employers required to consider the request unless they can prove it's not "reasonably feasible." Read the full article.
• Founder Mode vs. Manager Mode: Al explores a viral topic on social media—Founder Mode vs. Manager Mode. Paul Graham of Y Combinator and Brian Chesky, co-founder of Airbnb, have both commented on how founders often remain hands-on even as their companies grow, which contrasts with the traditional shift to "Manager Mode."
• 19 Science-Backed Ways to Improve Your Life: Leanne shares a fantastic article from the British Psychological Society (BPS) offering 19 science-backed ways to improve your life.

Fresh Voices

This week’s Fresh Voices segment features Marion Campan, a corporate culture expert whose TEDx talk, "The Secret to Finding Your Ideal Workplace," has garnered over 500,000 views. Marion emphasizes that company culture is key to job satisfaction and retention and offers practical tips on how to evaluate culture before accepting a job offer. She highlights two key ways to assess a company’s culture:

1. Observe the Recruitment Process: The speed and communication during hiring reveal much about a company’s internal culture.
2. Ask the Right Questions: During interviews, ask about company values and how they’re lived day-to-day. A great question to ask: “What kind of people get promoted here?” Watch Marion’s TEDx Talk.

World Famous Weekly Workplace Surgery

Leanne answers your workplace questions in this week’s surgery:

1. Feeling Excluded from an Office Clique: A listener feels left out of an "inner circle" at work.
2. Giving Feedback to a More Experienced Team Member: A listener who recently stepped into a managerial role struggles with giving feedback to a more experienced team member.
3. Getting Honest Feedback from Employees: Another listener, a business owner, is frustrated with the lack of honest employee feedback, despite using anonymous surveys.

Support with Mental Health and Well-being

If you’ve been affected by any of the themes in this episode or are struggling with your mental health, the following resources may be helpful:

• UK: Mind offers mental health support and information. If you are in distress or despair, including thoughts of suicide, call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.
• US: Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
• Rest of the World: Visit Befrienders Worldwide to find a helpline in your country.

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• Connect with Leanne Elliott: LinkedIn
• Email: Reach out at hello@truthliesandwork.com.
• Book a Meeting: Schedule a meeting with Al & Leanne here.