Truth, Lies and Work

Tim Lupinacci is the CEO and Chair of Baker Donelson, a renowned U.S. law firm. He talks about his innovative leadership approach that emphasizes vulnerability and service over control. Tim reveals how he fosters a culture of trust and transparency, especially in the high-stress legal sector. He shares insights on the significance of empathy, emotional intelligence, and authentic relationships in leadership. By challenging outdated norms, Tim inspires leaders to embrace humility and prioritize their teams' well-being.

Rameez Kaleem, founder of 3R Strategy, discusses the critical need for pay transparency in today's workplaces, especially for Gen Z. He highlights the outrageous tale of an engineer who earned a million dollars through an elaborate overemployment scheme, raising ethical questions about remote work. The conversation dives into the concept of 'empathsplaining,' where leaders fake empathy without action, and explores how discrepancies between words and actions can erode trust. Kaleem emphasizes that authentic leadership is key to fostering team morale and engagement.

Welcome back to Truth, Lies & Work, the award-winning podcast where behavioural science meets workplace culture — brought to you by the HubSpot Podcast Network, the audio destination for business professionals. Hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott, this is your Thursday deep-dive with a workplace expert. 🎙️ This Week’s Guest: Steve Roest What do you do when you’re leading people who are smarter than you? This week, we’re joined by Steve Roest, CEO and co-founder of PocDoc — one of the UK’s fastest-growing health tech startups. Steve leads a team of scientists and engineers developing cutting-edge diagnostics — despite not being a scientist or an engineer himself. In this episode, Steve shares how he turns that so-called “weakness” into a leadership superpower. You’ll hear how he builds high-performance teams, handles ego, and keeps world-class experts aligned without stifling innovation. 💡 Key Takeaways from Steve Roest You don’t need to be the smartest person in the room.Steve explains how leaders can succeed by focusing on vision, coordination, and culture — not technical control. Confidence isn’t the same as competence.Hiring for collaboration skills is just as important as technical ability. Steve shares how PocDoc screens for ego and team fit. Brilliance needs boundaries.The best ideas often come from freedom — but only when that freedom is shaped by clear goals and customer needs. 🔗 Resources & Links Website: https://pocdoc.co/Steve Roest on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveroest/Steve’s podcast – The Health Tech Hour: https://open.spotify.com/show/5pZb65BCLauYxbJrbzDQfP 🎧 Enjoying the show?Follow, share, and leave us a review wherever you listen — and don’t forget to check out our Tuesday news round-up for the latest in people, culture, and the science of work. 🧠 Support with Mental Health and Well-beingMind UK: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/Samaritans (UK): Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org 📬 Connect with Al & LeanneTruth, Lies & Work on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truth-lies-and-work/Al Elliott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliottLeanne Elliott: 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 podcast where behavioural science meets workplace culture — brought to you by the HubSpot Podcast Network, the audio destination for business professionals. Hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott, this is your Tuesday news round-up, workplace surgery, and expert take — all in one. 🔥 Stories Covered 📌 1. BrewDog says it’s all about wellbeing nowAfter years of scandal and staff walkouts, BrewDog is trying to clean up its act — training 200 mental health first aiders and rolling out a new leadership charter. But are we buying it? And what does real culture change actually look like? 📰 Source: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/brewdog-leaves-punk-era-behind-to-focus-on-staff-wellbeing-d03xht2rx 📌 2. NatWest starts thinking like a tech companyFrom giving back nearly half a million staff hours to killing off bad ideas fast, NatWest’s COO is leading a culture shift inside one of the UK’s biggest banks. Is this the future of large-scale transformation? 📰 Source: https://www.strategy-business.com/article/The-new-way-NatWest-Group-is-making-work-better 📌 3. Stuck employees act out — and here’s the science behind itNew research finds that career plateaus don’t just hurt motivation — they drain people’s mental energy and make them more likely to break rules, disengage, or behave badly. Not because they’re unprofessional… but because they’re burned out and stuck. 📄 Study: Zhao, Chen & Xie (2025), Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology 🔗 https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/joop.12532 🔗 Follow-up: ⁠https://medium.com/@truthlieswork/stuck-in-a-dead-end-job-youre-more-likely-to-lash-out-2de4f22ccdca 🔥 Hot Take: Matt Smeed on Why Wellbeing Leaders Are Held to Impossible Standards Matt Smeed — Business Psychologist and co-founder of the Working Well Community — joins us to ask a simple question: why do wellbeing leaders have to be perfect? Other departments are allowed to try, fail and iterate. But when it comes to wellbeing, the bar’s sky-high. Matt argues it’s time to ditch the perfectionism and make space for progress. More from Matt Smeed:🌐 Website: www.workingwell.community🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-smeed-b6033922/ 👨‍💼 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@workingwellcommunity 💬 Workplace Surgery ❓ Do investors care about culture — and how do you prove it?A founder gearing up for their first funding round wants to show off their strong team culture. But will investors actually value it — and how do you make it measurable? ❓ Should I tell my boss I’m burnt out — or just push through?They’ve been the fixer, the firefighter, the one who holds it all together. Now they’re running on empty. But will honesty help… or backfire? ❓ I’ve been asked to gather peer feedback — but no one wants to talk to meTheir boss wants them to be the “culture go-between.” They feel awkward, underqualified, and unsure how to do it. Is it OK to push back? 🎧 Enjoying the show?Follow, share, and leave us a review wherever you listen — and don’t forget to join us Thursday for a masterclass in managing people who are smarter than you (yes, really). 🧠 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 (Show): https://www.linkedin.com/company/truth-lies-and-work/Al Elliott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliottLeanne Elliott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetleanneEmail: hello@truthliesandwork.comBook a call: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat

Richard Birke, a mediator, negotiator, and law professor, joins to share his expertise on navigating workplace conflicts. He discusses the significance of the BATNA method in empowering negotiation strategies. Birke reveals how effective managers can transform conflict into constructive dialogues rather than drama. He stresses the importance of listening, understanding personal desires, and maintaining a detached mindset for better outcomes. With engaging anecdotes, he provides a fresh perspective on resolving relational issues before they escalate.

Welcome back to Truth, Lies & Work, the award-winning podcast where behavioural science meets workplace culture — brought to you by the HubSpot Podcast Network, the audio destination for business professionals. Hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott, this is your Tuesday news round-up, workplace surgery, and expert take — all in one. 🔥 This Week’s Stories 📌 1. Monster Jobs Goes Bust — But What Killed It? The original online job board, Monster Worldwide, has filed for bankruptcy. It’s not just the end of a tech giant — it’s a wake-up call for every recruiter and platform still relying on “post and pray” job ads. 📰 Fast Company article: ⁠https://www.fastcompany.com/91357558/careerbuilder-monster-chapter-11-bankruptcy-filing-online-job-search-board-sinks-after-pandemic⁠ 📌 2. Great Bosses Exist — And Here’s the Proof After our episode on terrible managers, listeners demanded a follow-up: what about the good ones? Leanne shares highlights from Laura Lanier’s latest viral post — and the incredible bosses who’ve shaped careers, saved lives, and redefined leadership. 📰 Laura Lanier’s LinkedIn post: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/posts/laura-lanier-819b04217_okay-so-270-of-us-had-crazy-boss-stories-activity-7340799206099439616--dT9⁠ 📌 3. The Emotion Hack That Actually Works at Work New research says you don’t need therapy, apps or breathing exercises to regulate emotions. Just two small cognitive shifts helped people feel calmer and work better — with results lasting over a month. 📰 Read the full explainer: ⁠https://medium.com/@truthlieswork/the-emotion-hack-that-actually-works-at-work-194005888551⁠ 🔥 Hot Take: “The Gender Pay Gap Doesn’t Exist (Until Age 30)” — with Antonio Ribeiro Meet the founder of Yurtle, Antonio Ribeiro — who claims the gender pay gap vanishes until women start having children. From unpaid care to sandwich generation burnout, Antonio shares how his tech company is predicting — and preventing — the disappearances that cost businesses their best people. 👤 Antonio RibeiroCEO & Founder, YurtleEmail: ⁠antonio@yurtle.co.uk⁠Website: ⁠https://www.yurtle.co.uk⁠LinkedIn (Antonio): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonio-ribeiro-97919980/⁠LinkedIn (Company): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/yurtle⁠ 💬 Workplace Surgery ❓ How do you thank an employee who’s basically family? After taking over the family business, a listener wants to celebrate a loyal employee’s 10-year anniversary — without making it awkward. ❓ What should I watch out for when hiring remotely for the first time? Hiring your first remote employee? From time zones to trust signals, Leanne shares what psychology says about virtual hiring that works. ❓ How do I keep morale up when everything feels uncertain? When hope feels tone-deaf and honesty feels bleak, how do you lead well? Al and Leanne tackle the fine art of empathetic optimism in hard times. 🎧 Enjoying the show? Follow, share, and leave us a review wherever you listen — and don’t forget to join us Thursday for another deep-dive with a workplace expert. 🧠 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.org⁠Mental Health at Work: ⁠https://www.mentalhealthatwork.org.uk⁠ 📬 Connect with Al & Leanne LinkedIn (Show): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/truth-lies-and-work/⁠LinkedIn (Al): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliott⁠LinkedIn (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 stepping off the corporate stage and into the orchestra pit — to explore what business leaders can learn from the world of classical music. Our guest is Roit Feldenkreis, international orchestra conductor and CEO of BHZ Group, who’s spent years translating the unspoken power of presence, body language and tempo into boardroom leadership. In this episode, Roit shares how conducting teams — musical or managerial — starts with how you show up. This is a conversation about non-verbal leadership, team dynamics, and what it really means to trust the people around you — especially when you’re not the one holding the mic. 💡 Key Takeaways from Roit Feldenkreis Conducting isn’t about control: A great leader doesn’t dictate — they guide, listen, and adjust in real time. Presence speaks louder than PowerPoint: Your posture, gestures and eye contact can shape trust before a word is said. Great teams don’t need micromanaging: Clarity, tempo, and space to perform are more effective than rigid oversight. Leadership is performance — but not inauthentic: How you show up matters. Preparation and presence turn trust into action. Silence can lead: Sometimes it’s the pause, not the speech, that gives others permission to shine. 🔗 Connect with Roit Feldenkreis Email: ⁠roit@bhz-group.com⁠ Website: ⁠www.bhz-group.com⁠ Personal: ⁠www.roitfeldenkreis.com⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/roit-feldenkreis/⁠ Instagram: @roitfeldenkreis YouTube: Roit Feldenkreis - Orchestra Conductor 💬 Connect with Al & Leanne LinkedIn: ⁠Truth, Lies & Work⁠ 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 🧠 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 Mental Health at Work: ⁠https://www.mentalhealthatwork.org.uk/⁠ If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who leads — or wants to.

Welcome back to Truth, Lies & Work, the award-winning podcast where behavioural science meets workplace culture — brought to you by the HubSpot Podcast Network, the audio destination for business professionals. Hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott, this is your Tuesday news round-up, workplace surgery, and expert take — all in one. 🔥 This Week’s Stories 📌 1. Locking In: Hustle Culture Gets a Makeover A new TikTok trend called “locking in” is taking over Gen Z — and it’s not just about being productive. It’s about reclaiming power in a chaotic world. But behind the discipline? Burnout, financial fragility, and disengagement risks. 📰 Read more: Refinery29 – The Soft Life is Over — This Summer We're “Locking In” 👩‍🏫 Featuring commentary from behavioural economist Samantha Rosenberg and psychologist Dr Audrey Tang. 📌 2. Steve Jobs and the Case for Creative Rule-Breaking Forget climbing the corporate ladder quietly. Jobs says: be a pirate. Al explores three “rules” creative minds should break — and why rigid systems might be killing your team's best ideas. 📰 Source: MyInnerCreative – 5 Rules Creative People Break (Inspired by Steve Jobs) 📌 3. Perfectionism and Burnout in Tech New research from Amity University explores how perfectionism is fuelling burnout in top tech firms. The message? High quality can come at a high cost — and mental health policies alone aren’t cutting it. 📰 Study:https://ijip.in/articles/the-perfectionism/ 🔥 Hot Take: First Impressions Are Everything, with Al Elliott Why your terrible Zoom setup might be doing more damage than you think. Al breaks down the three essentials (video, audio, background) — and why looking like you care is more important than looking perfect. 💬 Workplace Surgery ❓ “Where’s a great place to work remotely and feel inspired again?”A listener is craving nature, adventure, and a productivity boost. Al and Leanne share personal insights and practical ideas — from budget-friendly European hubs to lifestyle-friendly Asian stops. ❓ “Do I have to fake it to get promoted?”When quiet, calm leadership is overlooked, is the only option to become louder? Leanne unpacks what the science says about introverted leadership and how to be seen without pretending. ❓ “What does purpose-driven leadership really look like in practice?”Deadlines, politics, pressure — where does purpose fit in? Al and Leanne reflect on the reality of values-based leadership in complex roles. 🎧 Enjoying the show?Follow, share, and leave us a review wherever you listen — and don’t forget to join us Thursday for another deep-dive with a workplace expert. 🧠 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– Mental Health at Work: https://www.mentalhealthatwork.org.uk/ 📬 Connect with Al & Leanne– LinkedIn: Truth, Lies & Work– 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 this insightful conversation, Jeff LeBlanc, a leadership strategist and lecturer, dispels the myth that kindness is weakness. He explains how kindness is about earning trust, not just being liked. The discussion highlights the importance of honest feedback, structured leadership, and the balance between kindness and accountability. Jeff emphasizes that kindness must be intentional and actionable, redefining it as a practice rather than a personality trait. This dialogue challenges leaders to integrate kindness with high standards for a healthier workplace.

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 BalanceForget 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/