Truth, Lies and Work

🎧 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 week, we’re joined by James Hawkins, co-founder and co-CEO of PostHog—a dev tools company turning $10M+ ARR without any managers, meetings, or micromanagement. James’s approach? Treat your company like a bunch of tiny startups.👀 If you’ve ever wondered what work would feel like without middle managers, weekly check-ins, and change committees… this is your episode.💡 Key Takeaways from James Hawkins⚙️ Small Teams > Big BureaucracyJames explains how structuring PostHog into autonomous 2–6 person teams has helped them ship faster, stay scrappy, and avoid the productivity drag of large orgs.🔁 Engineers Lead, Managers Step AsideForget micromanagement. At PostHog, engineers decide what gets built—and team leads don’t even get paid more.💥 Just Ship ItForget pre-meetings and permission-seeking. PostHog favours “build it and test it” over endless validation and speculation.🔍 Radical TransparencyFrom salaries to sabbatical policies, PostHog runs almost everything in public. Their internal company handbook? It’s online for the world to read.🚀 Chaos is a Feature, Not a BugJames shows how a dose of “organised chaos” can unlock innovation, ownership, and next-level productivity—if you hire the right people.🔗 Resources & LinksPostHog websitehttps://posthog.com/James on X (Twitter)https://x.com/james406PostHog’s Newsletterhttps://newsletter.posthog.com/📢 Enjoyed this episode?Follow or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow founder, engineer or curious manager who wants to do work differently. And come say hi on LinkedIn—we’d love to hear your thoughts.🧠 General Support with Mental Health and Well-beingIf you’ve been affected by anything in this episode or are currently struggling with your mental health, the following resources may help:Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/Samaritans (UK): Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org💬 Connect with Al & LeanneLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork/Al: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliott/Leanne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetleanneEmail: hello@truthliesandwork.comBook a call: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat

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 week, we’re asking one big question: Is British work culture quietly killing innovation, clarity and leadership?🔥 Stories Covered This Week:Buzzword Bingo Is Funny—Until It Isn’tChristine Armstrong sparked a LinkedIn firestorm with her corporate jargon bingo card—featuring favourites like “sweat the asset” and “brain dump.” We explore why overusing buzzwords damages leadership credibility and trust.Read more: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7310699571657998336/Is British Work Culture Holding Us Back?Tom Scourfield’s viral post questions whether UK businesses are too risk-averse and obsessed with tone over truth. We unpack the five reasons he thinks the UK is falling behind—and whether he’s right.Read more: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tom-scourfield_just-had-coffee-with-a-founder-from-the-us-activity-7313166492093530112-0UjXWhat Really Motivates People in a Crisis?During Greece’s financial crisis, researchers found that non-financial motivators—recognition, trust and empowerment—kept teams going. So why do we still default to bonuses and job titles?Read more: https://medium.com/@truthlieswork/what-really-motivates-employees-in-an-economic-crisis-cc4eb2559f6b🔥 Hot Take: HR Burnout Is Real, with Emma DjemilHR coach and founder of The HR Big Meet, Emma Djemil, joins us to call out the emotional toll of working in HR. From navigating toxic dynamics to being the organisation’s emotional sponge—Emma explains why HR needs its own support system now more than ever.The HR Big Meet: https://thehrbigmeet.comEmma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-djemil💬 Workplace Surgery: This Week’s Dilemmas“Why do people quit instead of speaking up?”One listener watched their most talented colleague walk away from the company without ever raising concerns. “Gen Z text speak is confusing my Gen X boss. Should I stop using it?”From “y” to “bet ✌️”, we unpack how language creates friction between generations—and how to find middle ground without compromising personality.“Our startup has 30 employees and zero HR policies—am I right to panic?”Leanne breaks down the actual risks and helps this founder figure out what they need to formalise (and what can wait).🎧 Coming Up Thursday…We’re joined by James Hawkins, co-founder of PostHog, who believes the future of work lies in small, autonomous teams with no hierarchy, no managers, and flat pay. But can that model scale without chaos? Find out Thursday.🎯 Enjoyed this episode?Follow, subscribe, and leave a review on your podcast platform of choice. And connect with us on LinkedIn—we love hearing your thoughts.General Support with Mental Health and Well-beingIf 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 LeanneJoin 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/meetleanneEmail: Hello@truthliesandwork.comBook a Call with Al & Leanne: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat

Welcome back to Truth, Lies & Work, the award-winning psychology podcast from the HubSpot Podcast Network.This week, we’re joined by John Tarnoff, executive career coach, TEDx speaker, and author of Boomer Reinvention, to explore how professionals over 50 can turn career challenges into powerful second acts. Whether you're being ghosted by employers or wondering if it's “too late” to pivot, John is here to tell you it’s absolutely not.💡 Key Takeaways from John Tarnoff🧠 Being Over 50 Is Not a Liability—It's an AdvantageExperience, resilience, and perspective are your superpowers. The key is learning how to position them.👋 Stop Chasing Job Ads—Start Building RelationshipsMost jobs aren't advertised. John breaks down how to tap into the hidden job market through strategic networking.🧰 Ditch the Resume ObsessionYour resume won’t get you hired. Your story will. John shares how to craft a narrative that attracts opportunities.🎯 Use the 3 Elements Career Builder FrameworkJohn’s proven method helps late-career professionals align purpose, skill, and opportunity into a thriving new path.💥 Get Clear on Your Value and Claim ItFrom ageism to “overqualified” labels, John teaches how to turn perceived weaknesses into standout assets.🔗 Resources & LinksJohn Tarnoff Websitehttps://johntarnoff.com/Free Worksheet: 4 Ikigai Questionshttps://johntarnoff.com/4questions/LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/johntarnoff/Book: Boomer Reinventionhttps://johntarnoff.com/book/TEDx Talkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWhM3sEHGTA🎧 If this episode struck a chord, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone rethinking their next chapter. Join the conversation on LinkedIn too! Back Tuesday with another This Week in Work.General Support with Mental Health and Well-beingIf 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 LeanneJoin 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/meetleanneEmail: Hello@truthliesandwork.comBook a Call with Al & Leanne: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat

Sara Weiner, an organisational psychologist and SIOP UN Chair, tackles the pressing concerns of Generation X, who are often overlooked yet resilient in the workforce. She discusses the trauma resulting from mass layoffs without empathy and highlights the need for effective leadership communication. Weiner also shares five powerful words that can enhance a leader's persuasiveness. The conversation dives into the importance of emotional intelligence and collaboration across generations to foster a more supportive workplace culture.

Welcome back to Truth, Lies and Work, the award-winning psychology podcast from the HubSpot Podcast Network, hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott. 🎧✨🎙 Meet Our Guest: Cait DonovanThis week we're joined by Cait Donovan, burnout expert, speaker, author, and host of the hugely popular FRIED The Burnout Podcast. Cait’s unique approach blends modern biobehavioural health science with Chinese medicine, providing powerful insights into burnout recovery and resilience. 🌟🔥Cait Donovan challenges the conventional narrative about burnout—that it's solely caused by individuals or their workplaces. She introduces the concept of the "Six Buckets" of burnout, highlighting that burnout results from a mix of factors including family background, personality, work environment, cultural pressures, physical health, and community support.📌 What's Covered in This Episode?Cait shares why the typical strategies for preventing burnout often fail, and why real recovery involves filling multiple "burnout protection buckets". She reveals how leaders can meaningfully support teams experiencing burnout without taking on the role of therapist, and explains why addressing burnout requires collective accountability rather than blame.You'll hear practical advice on how to align personal and organisational values to build a healthier workplace culture, learn the science behind why asking for help is critical, and find out how to turn burnout recovery into resilience and growth.If you're experiencing burnout, managing others through stressful periods, or simply looking to foster a healthier workplace, Cait's insights are essential listening.💡 Key Takeaways From Cait DonovanCait explains why burnout isn't a simple blame game—neither fully the individual's fault nor solely the company's responsibility. Discover why collective resilience and shared accountability are vital to genuinely overcoming burnout.Understand how "values misalignment" between what companies say and do can intensify burnout, and get practical strategies to genuinely support yourself and others through recovery.🔗 Connect with Cait DonovanWebsite:https://www.caitdonovan.com/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitdonovanspeaksSpotify (FRIED The Burnout Podcast):https://open.spotify.com/show/2VhzgpY24d6xDhxPLGn9ExApple Podcasts (FRIED The Burnout Podcast):https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fried-the-burnout-podcast/id1469939920🎧 Coming Up NextJoin us next Tuesday for our regular episode packed with workplace news, expert insights, another provocative hot take, and our popular Workplace Surgery—solving your toughest workplace dilemmas. 🔥🎙🎯 Enjoyed the episode?Subscribe, leave a review, or share it with a colleague. Connect with us on LinkedIn to continue the conversation—we’d love your feedback!Thanks for tuning into Truth, Lies and Work—see you next week! 👋General Support with Mental Health and Well-beingIf 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 LeanneJoin 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/meetleanneEmail: Hello@truthliesandwork.comBook a Call with Al & Leanne: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chatThanks for tuning into Truth, Lies & Work—see you next week!

Welcome back to Truth, Lies & Work, the award-winning podcast from the HubSpot Podcast Network, hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott. Each week we unpack workplace news, explore the psychology behind behaviour at work, and tackle your toughest workplace questions.🎙 What's in this Episode?Primark CEO Steps Down Amid Harassment AllegationsPaul Marchant, CEO of Primark, resigned following allegations of inappropriate behaviour toward a colleague. Was this swift accountability or brand protection in action? Read more.Jack Dorsey's "Good" Layoffs: Can a CEO Do It Right?Jack Dorsey recently laid off 931 employees at Block—but unlike most mass layoffs, his transparent approach earned praise. Read More.Ghosting Employers: The Dark Psychology of Job ApplicantsEver wonder why job candidates vanish mid-process? A new study links ghosting behaviour with psychological traits including narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. Read more.🔥 Hot Take: Why Tech Won’t Fix Your Workplace, with John ChanOur hot take comes from organisational psychologist John Chan, Managing Director of Infinite Potential and a lead researcher behind the 2025 State of Workplace Burnout report. John challenges the assumption that technology alone can boost productivity, arguing that systemic issues—like burnout, unsustainable workloads, and erosion of trust—must be addressed first.Download the 2025 State of Workplace Burnout Report here:https://infinite-potential.com.au/the-state-of-burnout-2025Watch the full launch webinar:https://youtu.be/ihie8n7pvVc?feature=sharedConnect with John Chan on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-chan-ph-d-7883611/💡 Workplace Surgery: Solving Your Toughest ProblemsThis week’s dilemmas:"I’ve Inherited a Toxic Department—Now What?"A listener steps into a troubled department plagued by missed deadlines and deep divides. How do you turn things around without driving good people away?"I’m the Operations Director, Not HR—Help!"With no HR team, a listener suddenly has to handle a serious discrimination complaint. What's the best way to respond professionally and protect the organisation?"Consultants Keep Stealing My Ideas!"An employee’s internal expertise is overlooked in favour of expensive external consultants. How do you get management to value internal talent and stop making costly mistakes?🔗 Additional Resources CIPD Guidance on Discipline Procedures: CIPD Discipline Factsheet ACAS (UK): acas.org.uk 🎧 Coming Up NextJoin us this Thursday as we welcome Cait Donovan, speaker, author, and host of FRIED. The Burnout Podcast. Cait’s innovative BURNBOLD™ framework is helping organisations turn burnout into resilience and culture change.🎯 Enjoying the show?Subscribe, leave a review, or share with a colleague! Connect with us on LinkedIn—we'd love your feedback.General Support with Mental Health and Well-beingIf 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 LeanneJoin 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/meetleanneEmail: Hello@truthliesandwork.comBook a Call with Al & Leanne: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chatThanks for tuning into Truth, Lies & Work—see you next week!

Welcome back to Truth, Lies and Work, the award-winning psychology podcast from the HubSpot Podcast Network, hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott. 🎙 Meet Our Guest: Jeanette RamsdenThis week, we're chatting with Jeanette Ramsden, CEO of The Curve Group—a top UK-based HR and recruitment consultancy that's successfully transitioned its entire workforce to a flexible 35-hour working week. Jeanette is known for shaking up outdated workplace practices and creating thriving cultures built on trust, flexibility, and genuine employee wellbeing. 📌 What's Covered in This Episode?Jeanette joins us to discuss her real-world experience in ditching the traditional five-day workweek. You'll hear about the practicalities of implementing true workplace flexibility, from managing client expectations to recalculating holiday entitlements. She shares why genuine flexibility—rather than simply giving everyone Friday off—is crucial, especially for employees juggling caregiving responsibilities. We also dive into how reducing hours has actually boosted productivity and engagement across her business. Jeanette challenges the common misconceptions that fewer hours equal less productivity and explains how a flexible approach has significantly improved employee retention and satisfaction at The Curve Group. 🚀 Connect with Jeanette & The Curve GroupJeanette Ramsden on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanette-ramsden-0946a83/Visit The Curve Group website:https://www.thecurvegroup.co.uk/Explore insights and webinars from The Curve Group:https://www.thecurvegroup.co.uk/insights/📅 What’s Coming Up Next?Join us next Tuesday for another episode of our regular This Week in Work segment. Expect the latest workplace news, our famous Workplace Surgery, and another bold hot take from an industry expert! 🔥🎙🎯 Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, or share it with someone who would benefit. We love hearing your thoughts, so tag us on LinkedIn to continue the conversation!Thanks for tuning into Truth, Lies and Work—see you next week! 👋General Support with Mental Health and Well-beingIf 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 LeanneJoin 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/meetleanneEmail: Hello@truthliesandwork.comBook a Call with Al & Leanne: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat

Truth, Lies and Work is the award-winning psychology podcast from the HubSpot Podcast Network, hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott. Every Tuesday we tackle workplace news, answer your dilemmas, and bring fresh insights to help you build great workplace cultures.🎙 This Week’s Headlines Would You Let Your Employer Monitor You at Home? Australian financial firm AMP faced backlash over claims employees were pressured to accept contracts allowing constant video surveillance—even at home. Full story: https://www.hrleader.com.au/business/26623-amp-refutes-claims-of-video-surveillance-of-at-home-workers London Firms Can’t Hire Staff—Is Remote Work to Blame? Nearly half of London businesses are struggling to recruit, and many blame remote work expectations. Full story: https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/london-firms-struggling-recruit-staff-164038974.html Good News: Your Holiday Benefits Last Longer Than You Think Research in the Journal of Applied Psychology shows the wellbeing benefits of a holiday can last up to six weeks. Full story: https://www.bps.org.uk/research-digest/holiday-benefits-last-longer-we-thought 🔥 Hot Take: Why the Five-Day Workweek Is History (with Grace Tallon) Grace Tallon from the Work Time Reduction Centre says the traditional five-day workweek is no longer fit for purpose. Cutting working hours isn’t just a perk—it's vital for business success, productivity, and mental health. Could a shorter week be the most important change we make this generation?Connect with Grace: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-tallon/Learn more about Work Time Reduction: https://worktimereduction.com/💡 Workplace Surgery: Your Workplace Problems Solved "Am I Mentoring My Replacement?"A listener fears they're training someone overqualified who may take their job. "Personality Tests Are Ruining My Team!"Managers forced to assign projects based on personality colour charts rather than skills."Help! My Productivity’s Hijacked by a Calendar Bully!"A developer struggles to protect their deep work sessions from a colleague who repeatedly schedules conflicting meetings. 🎧 Listen to More From Truth Lies and Work John Amaechi on Personality TestingHogan's Ryne Sherman on Personality in Business🎧 Coming Up Next This Thursday:Jeanette Ramsden, CEO of The Curve Group, reveals how she successfully implemented a four-day workweek—without compromising client satisfaction. Plus, she shares her perspective as a female CEO navigating leadership in a world obsessed with "masculine energy."Next Tuesday:Another packed episode of This Week in Work with the latest workplace trends, bold takes, and practical advice.Enjoying the podcast? Don’t forget to subscribe and join us on LinkedIn to continue the conversation!General Support with Mental Health and Well-beingIf 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 LeanneJoin 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/meetleanneEmail: Hello@truthliesandwork.comBook a Call with Al & Leanne: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat

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.🎙 Meet This Week’s Guest: Steve CarseWhat if work was actually fun? Steve Carse didn’t just ask the question—he built an entire business around it.After being laid off in 2009, Steve didn’t follow the traditional career path. Instead, he founded King of Pops, an Atlanta-based ice pop brand that’s grown into a $10 million empire. His approach to business is refreshingly simple: when work is enjoyable, people perform better, customers stay loyal, and businesses thrive.Now, he’s sharing his insights in his new book, Work Is Fun—a playbook for building happier, more successful workplaces.💡 Key Takeaways from Steve Carse✅ Why workplace happiness isn’t just about free snacks – Steve explains why companies often fail at creating a great culture and how he designed a business strategy where fun and profitability go hand in hand.✅ Turning a layoff into a $10M success story – The lessons Steve learned after losing his corporate job and how he made a roadside ice pop stand into a beloved brand.✅ Making ‘fun’ a business advantage – Why workplace enjoyment leads to better retention, productivity, and customer loyalty—and how to actually implement it.✅ The reality of entrepreneurship – It’s not all smooth sailing. Steve shares the challenges of scaling a company, balancing growth with culture, and why LinkedIn success stories rarely tell the full truth.If you’re a business owner trying to build a more engaging workplace or someone stuck in a soul-crushing job, this conversation is full of real-world advice you won’t want to miss.📌 Where to Learn More📖 Pre-order Steve’s Book: Work Is Fun (Out April 1st!)📍 Buy here: https://www.amazon.com/Work-Fun-Successful-Company-Meaningful/dp/1637746253🍡 Learn more about King of Pops:🌐 Website: https://www.kingofpops.com/💼 Follow Steve on LinkedIn & more:🌐 Personal Website: https://www.stevecarse.com/🎧 What’s Next?📅 Next Tuesday:Join us for This Week in Work—your go-to for workplace news, a spicy hot take, and our world-famous Workplace Surgery, where Leanne answers your toughest work dilemmas.💡 Enjoyed this episode? Send it to one person who needs to hear Steve’s story!📢 Subscribe now so you don’t miss a thing!General Support with Mental Health and Well-beingIf 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 LeanneJoin 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/meetleanneEmail: Hello@truthliesandwork.comBook a Call with Al & Leanne: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat

🎙 What’s in This Episode?🔹 Why nearly half of employees are turning down promotions – The data says more people than ever are rejecting leadership roles. Is it a work-life balance issue, a generational shift, or are companies just making leadership too unattractive?🔹 Is DEI doing more harm than good? – Jamie Dimon, CEO of JP Morgan, says corporate diversity policies are backfiring, and Sarah Gashier’s hot take suggests he might have a point. Is performative DEI causing more problems than it solves?🔹 Workplace Surgery: A listener’s ex-partner is now their boss. How do you stay professional when your new manager is someone who knows way too much about your personal life?That’s all coming up on Truth, Lies & Work, the award-winning psychology podcast from the HubSpot Podcast Network, the audio destination for business professionals.🗞 This Week’s Headlines📌 BoomerAsking: Gen Z is Asking for What Boomers Never Dared To What is 'Boomerasking'? - Researchers Alison Wood Brooks (Harvard) and Michael Yeomans (Imperial College London) define BoomerAsking as when someone asks a question but isn’t actually interested in your answer—they’re just waiting to jump in with their own story. Read more: https://www.bps.org.uk/research-digest/improve-your-conversation-skills-ditch-boomerasking 42% of employees are rejecting promotions – A Randstad survey found that workers are saying no thanks to leadership roles, with work-life balance and low pay increases as the top reasons. Read more: https://www.forbes.com/sites/cherylrobinson/2025/02/17/why-nearly-50-of-employees-are-turning-down-promotions-what-leaders-can-do/ Jamie Dimon says DEI is failing – The JP Morgan CEO slammed corporate DEI initiatives, calling them performative and blaming incompetent advisers for pushing businesses in the wrong direction. Read more: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/03/13/jp-morgan-boss-attacks-incompetent-advisers-that-pushed-dei/ 🔥 Hot Take of the Week: Sarah Gashier on Why DEI Might Be BrokenSarah Gashier is an award-winning Workplace Wellbeing Consultant, Registered Nutritionist, and Psychological Safety Practitioner. She’s worked with top organisations and was even recognised by the Mayor of London for her work.But Sarah has a controversial take on DEI: Most DEI initiatives do more harm than good.📢 Find more from Sarah Gashier: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahgashier/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahgashier/ 💡 Workplace Surgery: When Work Gets Personal My Ex Is Now My Boss – A listener’s former partner just got promoted to be their direct manager. Top Performer or High-Functioning Alcoholic? – A star employee is crushing their targets, but their drinking is becoming a problem. The Secret Slack Channel – A manager discovered their team has a private Slack group where they discuss work, projects, and management decisions—without including leadership. 🎧 What’s Next?📅 This Thursday:We’re bringing you an incredible founder story—Steve Carse, the man who turned a redundancy in 2009 into a $10M ice pop empire.General Support with Mental Health and Well-beingIf 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 LeanneJoin 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/meetleanneEmail: Hello@truthliesandwork.comBook a Call with Al & Leanne: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat