Episodios

  • 212. Can toxic cultures really change? Inside BrewDog, NatWest and secret burnout. PLUS! Why do wellbeing leaders have to be perfect? With Matt Smeed
    Jul 8 2025
    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
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    59 m
  • 211. How To Get Anything You Want At Work (The BATNA Method), with Richard Birke
    Jul 3 2025
    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: Richard Birke Mediator. Negotiator. Law professor. Neuroscience nerd. This week we’re joined by Richard Birke, Chief Architect of JAMS Pathways — the premier training and development platform for alternative dispute resolution. He’s helped settle billion-dollar legal cases, trained thousands of leaders, and worked with organisations like NASA, NBC and the UN — teaching them how to resolve high-stakes conflict before it becomes a disaster. And in this episode, he shares how the best managers use mediation skills to build trust, reduce drama, and protect culture — even if they never set foot in a courtroom. 💡 Key Takeaways from Richard Birke Conflict is inevitable. Combat is optional.Great managers don’t avoid conflict — they navigate it. Richard breaks down the difference between productive disagreement and destructive drama. Most problems at work aren’t legal — they’re relational.Before HR policies or employment law get involved, there’s often a moment where a manager could step in and defuse the tension. Richard explains what that looks like in practice. Listening is more than hearing.The number one skill in any conflict isn’t talking — it’s listening for what’s not being said. Richard shares how to tune in and de-escalate before things go nuclear. 🔗 Resources & Links Richard Birke – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-birke-3840741/ JAMS Pathways: https://www.jamsadr.com/what-we-do/pathways 🎧 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 all the latest in people and culture. 🧠 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/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 podscan_ao9sFwM7ULyvbNzEQYPwzNJ4sznDEF64
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    34 m
  • 209. How to Lead Without Saying a Word, with award-winning orchestra conductor, Roit Feldenkreis
    Jun 26 2025
    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.
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    34 m
  • 208. Steve Jobs wisdom, Gen-Z hustle and the perfectionist trap. PLUS! Is your Zoom set-up saying 'I don't care?'
    Jun 24 2025
    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
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    54 m
  • 207. What happens when leaders start being kind? With Jeff LeBlanc
    Jun 19 2025
    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 taking on a big leadership myth: that kindness is weakness. Alongside guest Jeff LeBlanc — lecturer, Forbes-featured strategist, and creator of the Engaged Empathy Leadership Model — we unpack what kindness really means in a leadership context. Not just whether it works, but whether we’re defining it all wrong. From setting boundaries to building trust, Jeff shares real-world examples and practical strategies to make kindness a powerful leadership tool — not just a feel-good slogan. 💡 Key Takeaways from Jeff LeBlanc Kindness isn’t about being liked — it’s about being trusted. It’s structured, intentional, and deeply tied to fairness. Avoidance isn’t kindness. Real kindness involves honest feedback, even when it’s uncomfortable. Clarity, consistency and compassion are the backbone of kind leadership. Follow-through matters. Kindness without action breeds frustration. Kindness is a practice — not a personality trait. You don’t need to be warm or bubbly to be a kind leader. 🔗 Connect with Jeff LeBlanc LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/jeff-leblanc-93212510a Website: www.jeffleblancdba.com 💬 Connect with Al & Leanne Truth, Lies & Work on 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 🧠 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 found this episode helpful, please follow, share, or leave a review. And don’t forget to subscribe for more practical insights from real leaders — every Tuesday and Thursday.
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    42 m
  • 206. Digital eye-rolls, loud living and Pride Month silence. PLUS! Should we regulate management?
    Jun 17 2025
    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/
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    57 m
  • 205. Why your team zones out when you talk (And how to fix it in 2 minutes), with Dr. Cheryl Robinson
    Jun 12 2025
    Truth, Lies & Work is 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 Forbes contributor and media founder Dr Cheryl Robinson to explore a skill every leader thinks they’ve mastered — but often haven’t: communication. From delivering tough messages to owning your impact in the room, Cheryl shares how great communication can elevate your leadership, influence your career, and build meaningful connections at work. If you’ve ever stumbled through a difficult conversation or wondered why your ideas aren’t landing — this episode is for you. 💡 Key Takeaways from Dr Cheryl Robinson – Leadership starts with clarity: You don’t need to shout to be heard — you need to know what you want to say and why it matters. – Authenticity is magnetic: People connect with people — not perfection. – Feedback is a gift: Learn how to take it, shape it, and use it to grow. – Visibility matters: If you’re not telling your story, someone else will. 🔗 Connect with Dr Cheryl Robinson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drcherylrobinson/ Website: https://www.drcherylrobinson.com/ Forbes Column: https://www.forbes.com/sites/cherylrobinson/ 💬 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 🎧 If you found this episode helpful, please follow, share, or leave a review. And don’t forget to subscribe for more practical insights from real leaders, every Tuesday and Thursday. 🔗 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/
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    43 m