Truth, Lies and Work

Explore the toxic culture behind the COVID response that impeded timely action. Delve into the rising fears surrounding AI as leaders anticipate productivity gains, while employees feel overwhelmed. Discover why dreamers often remain stagnant, as balanced temporal focus can ignite career changes. Unravel the truth behind 'faking it till you make it'—asserting that while confidence opens doors, genuine skills are vital for lasting success. Plus, valuable insights on hiring for diversity and safely disclosing mental health at work.

Christian Laing, the passionate Co-founder and MD of Stand Out Socks, shares his inspiring journey of creating paid employment for people with Down syndrome and learning disabilities. He discusses challenging misconceptions about capability and the importance of treating everyone with respect. Christian emphasizes the need for ethical employment over charity models, advocating for fair pay and meaningful roles. The conversation highlights the emotional weight families carry and the potential for broader change in workplace culture.

This week, the hosts dive into QuitTok's return, revealing how public resignations provide vital HR insights. They discuss a surprising trend: entry-level workers feel more confident while senior leaders struggle amidst hybrid work challenges. Bizarre and memorable interview anecdotes from LinkedIn keep the laughter flowing. Lastly, they debunk the myth that high achievers need little sleep, exploring the health risks of chronic sleep deprivation and the rarity of true short sleepers. It’s a rollercoaster of workplace truths!

Garry Ridge, former CEO of WD-40 Company and founder of The Learning Moment, is a champion of servant leadership and psychological safety. He shares insights on creating a culture of belonging, emphasizing that when employees feel valued, they contribute more openly. Garry reframes mistakes as learning opportunities rather than failures, advocating for transparency to enhance team dynamics. He also discusses the importance of humility in leadership, how to empower decision-making, and the strategic value of prioritizing people over profit.

This week delves into the Post Office scandal, highlighting a catastrophic failure of trust and the human impact of organizational neglect. The discussion reveals how systemic flaws can lead to injustices and emphasizes the need for accountability. They also explore rising economic inactivity in the UK due to long-term sickness, urging a coordinated approach between health and work systems. Finally, the episode tackles the intriguing question of whether time speeds up as we age, examining perceptions and suggesting ways to create more memorable moments.

Join Nick Power, a senior marketing leader at The Noun Project and LinkedIn creator, as he dives deep into the complexities of authenticity in the corporate world. He discusses how candid content fosters connection, especially in a time of social stress. Nick challenges the notion of professionalism, emphasizing honesty and integrity over mere polish. Expect insights on the balance between vulnerability and oversharing, and hear about the hilarious yet pointed critiques from online communities like LinkedIn Lunatics. Get ready for an eye-opening look at LinkedIn culture!

This episode dives into the political landscape of workplace culture with the appointment of a DEI critic leading the EEOC. Discover the surprising success of a quiet-quitting manager who set firm boundaries and skyrocketed in their career. They also explore the effects of mismatched background music on employee morale and productivity. Plus, there’s a fascinating discussion on the myths of spotting a liar just by watching body language, challenging common assumptions. Tune in for insights that could transform your work life!

Dr. Ryan Martin, a psychologist known as The Anger Professor and author of "Emotion Hacks," discusses practical strategies for emotional regulation. He highlights that emotions are signals, not emergencies, and shares insights from his Why We Feel model. Ryan emphasizes the importance of upstream decisions—like sleep and hydration—in managing emotions effectively. He provides in-the-moment tools such as deep breathing and grounding techniques to help leaders support their teams better. Additionally, he challenges listeners to examine their worldviews to enhance resilience.

It’s time for another This Week in Work — your Tuesday round-up of workplace news, research and real-world dilemmas. Hosted by Leanne Elliott, Chartered Occupational Psychologist, and Al Elliott, business owner. This week: fake job ads, clever interview hacks, the power of recognition, and whether it really takes 10 000 hours to master anything. 🔥 Stories Covered Career Catfishing Nearly 80 percent of workers say they’ve been misled during hiring. The job they took wasn’t the job they got. Broken promises break trust fast. Source: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nearly-80-us-workers-victims-183000581.html Why People Keep Giving MSc researcher Mary Luu found volunteers who give the most often feel happiest — because meaning and recognition matter more than reward.Source: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trambaoluu/ Interview Hack or Workplace Deception?A Reddit user says calling employers and claiming “I was told to schedule my interview” landed five callbacks. Smart or dishonest? It’s forcing everyone to rethink how hiring really works. Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/InterviewCoderPro/comments/1ohsuq9/i_started_calling_companies_and_saying_i_was_told 🧠 Truth or Lie — The 10 000-Hour Rule Does it truly take 10 000 hours to master something? Psychologist K. Anders Ericsson’s research showed practice matters — but not that hours alone guarantee mastery. Quality, feedback and context count more than time. Verdict: mastery takes effort and structure, not a stopwatch. 💬 Workplace Surgery • Should you give a Christmas bonus or gift? • How do you present a strategy you don’t believe in? • What do you do when a new hire is 40 minutes late on day one? 🎧 Coming Up Thursday Dr Ryan Martin — better known as The Anger Professor — joins Leanne and Al to explore how we can hack our emotions to perform better in life and work. 🧠 Support with Mental Health and Well-being – Mind UK: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/ – Samaritans (UK): Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org 📬 Connect with Al & Leanne – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork – Al Elliott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliott – Leanne Elliott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetleanne – Email: hello@truthliesandwork.com – Book a call: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat

In today’s episode, Leanne and Al are joined by Angela Foster, an expert in the fashion and beauty industry with over 20 years of executive experience.Angela empowers high-achieving women to craft wardrobes that radiate confidence and align with their professional and personal goals. Through her SPARK method, Angela has transformed how her clients think about fashion, helping them dress for success and feel their best every day. In this episode, we explore: Do first impressions really count? The science of enclothed cognition and how clothing influences confidence, cognition, and perceptions. Why what we wear at work matters: How professional attire affects leadership perceptions and workplace dynamics Crafting your signature look: From tailored staples to bold accessories, Angela shares tips to define a personal brand that’s unforgettable. Navigating modern dress codes: Striking the balance between inclusivity, professionalism, and personal style in today’s workplaces. Angela’s SPARK method: A five-step guide to understanding your body shape, building versatile wardrobes, and curating a style that works for you. Key Takeaways: Dress for Success: First impressions are formed in seconds, and attire plays a huge role in shaping them. Create a Signature Look: Stand out with a style that reflects your personality and professional brand. It’s Not About Buying More Clothes: Angela emphasizes starting with a strategy before shopping. Professionalism and Confidence: Learn how the right wardrobe can boost your workplace confidence and enhance others' perceptions. Inclusivity in Dress Codes: Angela shares practical advice for employers crafting dress codes that are fair, clear, and aligned with organizational values. Angela’s Free Gift: Take Angela’s Body Shape Quiz to discover the styles and silhouettes that suit you best. Visit ⁠AngelaFoster.co/Leanne⁠ to get started! Connect with Angela: Website: ⁠Angela Style Coach⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠Angela Foster⁠ Instagram: ⁠@AngelaStyleCoach⁠  Support with Mental Health and Well-being If any of the topics in this episode have affected you, or if you need mental health support, please reach out to one of the following resources: UK: ⁠Mind⁠ offers mental health support and information. For those in distress, call Samaritans at 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org. US: Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor. Rest of the World: Visit ⁠Befrienders Worldwide⁠ to find a helpline in your country. Connect with Truth, Lies & Work YouTube: ⁠Truth, Lies & Work YouTube Channel⁠ TikTok: ⁠Truth, Lies & Work TikTok⁠ Instagram: ⁠Truth, Lies & Work Instagram⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠Truth, Lies & Work LinkedIn⁠ Connect with Al Elliott: ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Connect with Leanne Elliott: ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Email: Reach out at hello@truthliesandwork.com Book a Meeting: Schedule a meeting with Al & Leanne ⁠here⁠.