206. Digital eye-rolls, loud living and Pride Month silence. PLUS! Should we regulate management?

Welcome back to Truth, Lies & Work, the award-winning psychology podcast from the HubSpot Podcast Network.

Hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott, this is your Tuesday roundup of workplace culture, behavioural science, and real-world leadership challenges.

This week, we’re digging into:

🔥 Stories Covered

1. Cyber Incivility: The Passive-Aggressive Problem You’re Probably Ignoring Leanne breaks down a new study on “cyber incivility” — the eye-roll emojis, blunt messages, and stony silences that are quietly eroding trust and morale in remote teams. This isn’t obvious bullying; it’s subtle disrespect — and it’s making your team sad, not mad.
🧠 Emotional exhaustion, disengagement, even physical illness are on the rise.
✅ Set clear digital norms, train for empathy, and create space to clear the air. 📚 Source: Ju, B., & Pak, S. (2025). Managing cyber incivility in digital workplaces: a systematic review and HR strategies. International Journal of Organizational Analysis.

Shared via psychologist Nicole Williams: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nicolewilliamsorganisationalpsychology_workplaceculture-cyberincivility-digitalcommunication-activity-7338822372294029312-9QfV?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAPpxk8B1ivB8GiszIgdppDkaIkcd6hBmOo

2. Loud Living vs Quiet Quitting: A New Kind of Work-Life Balance
Forget burnout and vague “busy” blocks. Al unpacks writer Alli Kushner’s concept of “loud living,” where employees embrace visible, unapologetic boundaries at work.
📉 With engagement at 21% (Gallup), radical honesty might be just what we need.
📅 Say “school pickup” not “busy,” and expand your out-of-office beyond holidays.
🔗 https://www.fastcompany.com/91341203/quiet-quitting-loud-living-work-boundaries

3. Pride Feels... Different This Year Leanne reflects on why Pride Month feels heavier in 2025. With major sponsors quietly pulling out and DEI under political pressure, it’s no wonder LGBTQ+ employees feel let down.
🏳️‍🌈 The message? You were only supported when it was easy.
💡 Real leadership means showing up — even when it’s quiet, even when it’s hard.
📰 Source: The Times

🔥 Hot Take

Should Management Be a Regulated Profession?
Leanne goes in on the idea that managers — like teachers or doctors — should be formally trained and licensed.
– What skills should be mandatory?
– Are great managers born or built?
– And how do we support growing businesses without access to formal pipelines?

💬 Workplace Surgery

“Why is it so hard to get back into routine after time off?”
Leanne explains how different types of rest impact recovery — and why overloading your break might leave you worse off.

“Why is hiring so brutal when you’re just starting out?”
A new business owner asks why no one is showing up to interviews. We dig into reputation, expectations, and how to shift your early hiring strategy.

“How do I manage someone who keeps pushing it?”
A listener’s stuck between being too soft or too harsh with a difficult employee. We explore healthy boundaries, documentation, and what to do when your own boss avoids the issue.

We’re joined by professor and author Jeff LeBlanc to answer the question:

🎧 Coming Up Thursday

Is kindness at work a weakness?
With thousands of hours researching the science behind kindness, Jeff shares what really happens when you lead with empathy — and whether nice people really do finish last.

💬 Connect With Us

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork
🙋 Al: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliott
🧠 Leanne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetleanne
📧 Email: hello@truthliesandwork.com
📅 Book a call: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat

🧠 Mental Health Support

– Mind UK: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/
– Samaritans (UK): Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
– Mental Health at Work: https://www.mentalhealthatwork.org.uk/