TruthWorks

On this solo episode of Truth Works, host Jessica Neal sits down with Eduardo Briceño, author of The Performance Paradox: Turning the Power of Mindset into Action and one of the world’s leading voices on growth mindset. From Caracas to Silicon Valley, VC to education, Eduardo unpacks how living in constant performance mode stalls progress—and how deliberately switching into the learning zone unlocks long-term excellence.We get tactical: redesigning meeting agendas so learning isn’t an afterthought, building daily habits for reflection, modeling feedback, and balancing short-term execution with bold, long-term goals. Jessica shares inside stories from Netflix—farming for dissent, the informed captain model, leading with context, and why over-communication beats under-communication every time—while Eduardo shows how to turn those ideas into repeatable systems that compound.You’ll learn:The difference between learning vs. performance zones—and when to be in eachSimple agenda tweaks that make every meeting smarterHow to normalize feedback and dissent without slowing executionA daily question leaders can use to keep teams unblocked and alignedFind Eduardo’s TED Talks, newsletter, and more—and don’t forget to check out The Performance Paradox.

In this episode, Kweilin Ellingrud—Director at the McKinsey Global Institute and Senior Partner at McKinsey,breaks down the gender pay gap as a solvable, data-driven problem. We trace where inequity actually begins (the “broken rung” at first promotion), how it compounds through performance reviews and caregiving penalties, and why “it’s just choices” doesn’t hold up once you control for role and tenure. Kweilin shares the fixes leaders can implement this quarter: transparent pay bands, balanced promotion slates, skills-based hiring, disciplined pay equity audits, and manager training that sticks. We also explore how AI and productivity gains could widen or close the gap—depending on governance. You’ll leave with a six-step playbook, concrete KPIs to track progress, and quick experiments any org can run to make fair pay the default.

In this episode of Truth Works, we sit down with Beth Steinberg, an organizational development and leadership expert with over 25 years of experience guiding companies through hypergrowth, IPOs, and acquisitions. As founder of Mensch Ventures and former People leader at Facebook, Sunrun, and BrightRoll, Beth has helped scale both startups and global enterprises by blending leadership coaching with people strategy and culture design.She shares lessons from steering talent systems under pressure, her philosophy on coaching leaders rather than just managing tasks, and her commitment to advancing women in STEM through the U.S. State Department’s TechWomen initiative. This conversation is a masterclass in building resilient organizations where culture and growth go hand in hand.

In this episode of Truth Works, we welcome James Turk, author of The Giving Game. James is dedicated to helping organizations cultivate leaders who understand that generosity is not just a personal virtue, but a strategic advantage.He explains how effective leadership is built on trust, collaboration, and the ability to give more than you take. Drawing on his research and experiences, James shows how “the giving mindset” transforms cultures—turning teams into communities that thrive on shared purpose and mutual support.We discuss practical ways leaders can integrate these ideas into their organizations, from shaping daily interactions to guiding long-term strategy. James challenges traditional notions of leadership rooted in authority, offering instead a vision of leaders who elevate others, empower innovation, and build resilience through generosity.

In this re-run episode of Truth Works, Nirav Tolia - co-founder and CEO of Nextdoor - shares an unfiltered look at the rollercoaster of startup leadership. From his early internet days at Yahoo to co-founding Nextdoor, Nirav reflects on the thrill of building something people love, the sting of being asked to step down, and the personal growth that came from failure. Now back at the helm, he discusses how he’s leading differently, the importance of culture, and why resilience matters more than ever.In this episode, we cover:Nirav’s journey from Odessa, Texas, to Stanford, Yahoo, and the creation of NextdoorLessons from his first startup success — and a massive failureThe emotional impact of being removed as CEO and how he rebuilt his perspectiveThe role stress plays in leadership and how to manage itWhy intent matters less than impact when leading a teamBalancing vulnerability with authority as a leaderReturning to Nextdoor during a turnaround and redefining its cultureThe “two products” every CEO is building: the product itself and the company’s culture

Laszlo Bock, the former head of HR at Google and founder of Humu, shares his groundbreaking insights on people analytics and workplace culture. He discusses the pivotal experiments at Google that reshaped hiring practices, emphasizing the importance of data-driven decisions. Laszlo highlights the value of 'constructive defiance' in driving change and reflects on the evolving role of CHROs in today's tech landscape. With engaging anecdotes, he explores the transformative impact of high company standards and the entrepreneurial journey from corporate giants to startups.

In this engaging discussion, Michele Zanini, an expert in organizational design and co-author of 'Humanocracy,' dives into how traditional bureaucracy stifles innovation. She shares insights on transforming companies into dynamic, employee-centric cultures, drawing on examples like Netflix and the U.S. Army. Along with Bob Sutton, they challenge conventional performance reviews and advocate for collaborative evaluations. The conversation is packed with actionable steps to embrace change and unleash human potential by fostering a culture of creativity and accountability.

Why do we instinctively add when the better answer might be less?In this episode of the Truth Works Podcast, we sit down with Leidy Klotz—behavioral scientist, engineer, and author of Subtract—to explore why subtraction is one of the most underused tools in problem-solving, design, and even life itself. From ancient architecture to modern innovation, Leidy unpacks the hidden bias that keeps us adding complexity instead of removing it.We dive into how this instinct shapes everything from personal decisions to global policy, and how changing it could transform the way we think, create, and lead.If you’re addicted to doing more, building more, and thinking more—this episode might just shift your perspective forever.Topics:1. Subtraction for solutions: Using subtraction to improve outcomes, inspired by a Lego bridge.2. Default to adding: Humans add to show competence, like bowerbirds building nests.3. Bureaucratic over-addition: Excessive additions cause inefficiency, e.g., 60 sign-offs.4. Effective subtraction: Cases like Capital One task removal, PBS dropping reviews.5. Friction reduction via subtraction: Simplifying processes, e.g., Google’s interview limit.6. Netflix’s subtraction strategy: Spinning off DVDs to focus on streaming.7. Cutting meetings: Reducing meetings, e.g., Stanford’s quarterly shift, Asana’s reset.8. Subtraction challenges for juniors: Early-career struggle to subtract, need subtle work display.9. Environment shaping behavior: How environments impact competence, connection, agency.10. Reducing cognitive load: Filtering info, questioning outdated mental models.

This week on Truth Works, we’re joined by guest Alison Fragale, award-winning professor and author of Likeable Badass.She brings sharp insight into leadership, power, and how women can thrive in high-stakes environments.Welcome to Truth Works.This month’s cohost is the brilliant Robert Sutton, back with fresh takes on workplace dynamics!Chapters in this podcast1. Introduction to Casual Conversations  2. Exploring Academic Journeys  3. The Importance of Status in Professional Life  4. Navigating Relationships and Power Dynamics  5. Understanding the Balance of Competence and Likability  6. The Role of Warmth in Professional Interactions  7. Challenges of Low Status Power Holders  8. Strategies for Dealing with Insecure Authority Figures  9. The Impact of Gender on Professional Perception  10. Building Status and Respect in the Workplace  11. Conclusion and Key Takeaways  12. The Power of Unique Contributions  13. Navigating Professional Relationships  14. The Balance of Likability and Competence  15. Proactive Strategies for Professional Interactions  16. Building Authentic Status  17. Leveraging Relationships for Promotion  18. Asking for Help and Reciprocity  19. New Chapter  20. Authenticity and Strategy in Professional Growth  

In this episode of Truth Works, Jessica Neal and Patty McCord break down the power, pitfalls, and practices of candid feedback—from Netflix boardrooms to personal moments that stick for life. Discover how feedback (both good and bad) becomes the engine of trust, growth, and culture.This episode is a rerun but an important topic for us to keep in mind.Topics & Timestamps:[00:00] Opening story: a small act of appreciation[01:00] Welcome to Truth Works and theme intro[03:00] Production crew feedback moment[05:00] Why candid feedback is hard—fear & discomfort[07:00] Giving feedback is a learned skill[10:00] Positive feedback is often overlooked[13:00] Why people fear hearing “feedback”[15:00] Netflix culture: obsession with improvement[17:00] Impact of lacking positive reinforcement[20:00] Feedback as a gift—even if unwelcome[22:30] Great feedback has examples and instructions[26:00] Cultural differences in feedback styles[30:00] Anonymous feedback problems[33:00] Modeling feedback behavior as a leader[36:00] In-the-moment feedback is most effective[38:00] Retention and acknowledgement[40:00] The ripple effect of good feedback[43:00] Giving feedback with care and solutions[46:00] Motivation: feedback that fits the person[49:00] Reed Hastings story: positive feedback challenge[52:00] Ending reflections and key takeaways[55:00] Listener question: when feedback gets petty[59:00] Personal jabs vs helpful feedback[01:02:00] Creating a feedback culture—final thoughts