Truth, Lies and Work

• 251. WD-40’s Garry Ridge on leadership: "Any dumbass can do it"

  Welcome back to Truth, Lies & Work, the award-winning podcast where behavioural science meets workplace culture. Today, we’re joined by a leader who has shaped the modern understanding of culture, belonging and performance more than almost anyone else working today: Garry Ridge, former CEO and Chairman of WD-40 Company, now the founder of The Learning Moment. Garry led WD-40 for more than two decades, taking it from a small American brand to a global organisation, all while maintaining engagement scores that most companies can only dream of. His belief is simple: “Leaders don’t manage people — they help them get to where they need to be.” And the results speak for themselves. In this conversation, we go deep into what makes a great leader, why psychological safety drives performance, how to build a culture people genuinely want to belong to, and why treating mistakes as learning moments creates organisations that last. Key Takeaways 1. Belonging isn’t soft — it’s strategicGarry explains why the foundation of performance is a culture where people feel seen, valued and safe to contribute. When people feel they belong, they take risks, share ideas and collaborate without fear. 2. Leaders create the weatherTeams respond to the emotional climate set by their leaders. Garry breaks down how tone, behaviour and consistency shape trust more than any policy or engagement initiative. 3. Mistakes are learning momentsInstead of blame, Garry uses learning moments to build capability. This is how you grow confident, autonomous teams who solve problems instead of hiding them. 4. Clarity beats controlGarry’s leadership model centres on aligned expectations, adult-to-adult relationships and reducing friction. When people know what’s expected — and feel supported — performance takes care of itself. 5. The real job of a leaderGarry believes leaders are responsible for creating an environment where people can be brilliant. That means curiosity, empathy, consistency and genuine accountability (the kind that lifts people, not limits them). Resources & Links Connect with Garry RidgeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garryridge/The Learning Moment: https://thelearningmoment.net/Book: Any Dumb Ass Can Do a Multi-Billion Dollar Brandhttps://www.amazon.com/Any-Dumb-Ass-Can-Do-Multi-Billion-Dollar/dp/1637746296 🧠 Support with Mental Health and WellbeingMind UK: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/Samaritans (UK): Call 116 123 or email [email protected] 📬 Connect with Al & LeanneLinkedIn (Show): https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthliesworkAl Elliott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliottLeanne Elliott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetleanneEmail: [email protected] a call: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat If you enjoyed this conversation, follow the show for more interviews every Thursday — and make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss next week.

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• 250. The Post Office scandal, beating imposter syndrome and the UK's work crisis. PLUS! Does time really speed up as we get older?

  Welcome back to This Week in Work, the show where behavioural science meets workplace culture — brought to you by the HubSpot Podcast Network. This week, Al and Leanne unpack one of the darkest stories in British business — and what it reveals about organisational failure and human systems. 🔥 Stories Covered 1. Can the government really ‘Keep Britain Working’?A major new review led by Sir Charlie Mayfield digs into why half a million more people have left work since 2019 due to long-term sickness, stress, or disability. The findings point to broken systems, poor coordination between the NHS and employers, and a lack of early support. The solution? A joined-up national programme that treats work and health as two sides of the same coin.Read the report: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keep-britain-working-review-final-report/keep-britain-working-final-report 2. The Post Office scandal — how trust collapsedA new MSc study from Charlotte Glading at the University of Leeds examines how the Post Office’s Horizon IT system caused one of the worst miscarriages of justice in modern history. The research reveals deep organisational flaws: a culture of fear, denial, and blind faith in technology that silenced whistleblowers and destroyed lives. The conclusion is sobering — this wasn’t a tech failure, it was a human one.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotteglading/ 🧠 Truth or Lie Does time really go faster as you get older?It feels true — childhood summers lasted forever, but adulthood disappears in a blink. This week, Al and Leanne explore the neuroscience behind why time seems to speed up, and how novelty, memory, and emotion shape our perception of life’s pace. 💬 Workplace Surgery 1. How do you deal with imposter syndrome as a business owner?2. What workplace adjustments can you expect after an ADHD diagnosis?3. How do you re-engage a top performer who’s switched off? 🧠 Support with Mental Health and Wellbeing Mind UK: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/ Samaritans (UK): Call 116 123 or email [email protected] 📬 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: [email protected] Book a chat: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat

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• 249. Why LinkedIn feels fake, with Nick Power

  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. This week, Al and Leanne sit down with Nick Power — senior marketing leader at The Noun Project and one of the most talked-about voices on LinkedIn. With more than 30 000 followers and millions of views, Nick has built a reputation for doing what most professionals won’t: calling out corporate nonsense, talking openly about burnout, and reminding us that being human is not unprofessional. 💡 Key Takeaways In this episode, Nick shares the good, the bad, and the ugly of being honest online — from viral one-liners and “weird LinkedIn” to the backlash that comes with visibility. It’s a masterclass in authenticity, humour, and how to show up as yourself without burning bridges or your reputation. 🔗 Resources & Links Honesty beats polish. Professionalism isn’t about perfection — it’s about skill, integrity and being easy to work with. Short form wins. Think fortune-cookie insights, not essays. Nick’s rule: write something people can finish before they scroll. Start conversations, not lectures. The goal isn’t likes; it’s dwell time, dialogue, and trust. Authenticity ≠ oversharing. Show humanity, not your diary. Find your own line between personal and performative. Expect the trolls. Nick opens up about LinkedIn Lunatics, the subreddit that mocks viral posts — and why bullying under the guise of humour says more about insecurity than content quality. Above all, Nick argues that being real online doesn’t damage your brand — it defines it. Follow Nick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickcpower Shop Nick’s merch: https://www.nickpower.co Learn more about The Noun Project: https://thenounproject.com 🧠 Support with Mental Health and Well-being – Mind UK: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/ – Samaritans (UK): Call 116 123 or email [email protected] 📬 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: [email protected] – Book a chat: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat 🎧 Coming up Tuesday Don’t miss next week’s This Week in Work, where we unpack the biggest workplace headlines and another round of Truth or Lie. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

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• 248. What Celebrity Traitors can teach us about lying. PLUS! Trump's war on woke, quiet-quitting success and the work impact of bad music.

  Welcome back to This Week in Work, your Tuesday news round-up where workplace culture meets behavioural science. This week: political shockwaves for DEI, an unexpected quiet-quitting success story, retail workers pushed to the brink by Christmas music, a myth-busting Truth or Lie, and three big Workplace Surgery questions. 🔥 Stories Covered 1. Trump appoints DEI critic to lead the EEOC The AP reports that Andrea Lucas is now chair of the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Critics say she has already reduced protections for transgender workers and limited investigations into discriminatory practices. Supporters frame her appointment as a shift toward “merit-based, race-neutral equality.” Link: https://apnews.com/article/andrea-lucas-eeoc-civil-rights-dei-discrimination-transgender-591b48113bf6fab1a17d84e58cf9ac8f 2. The quiet-quitter who rose to senior leadership A mid-level manager shared how a decade of reduced overwork, firm boundaries and radical delegation lowered stress and unexpectedly accelerated both career progression and wealth. It raises practical questions about sustainability, workload design and the hidden rewards of saying no. Link: https://cheezburger.com/43120389/50-year-old-tries-quiet-quitting-after-achieving-mid-level-management-goals-ends-up-quadrupling-net 3. The impact of music misfit at work New research shows that when background music doesn’t match what employees need, mood declines and mental fatigue increases. In retail and hospitality settings, “misfit” days also reduce cooperation and customer-facing helpfulness. Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keep-britain-working-review-final-report/keep-britain-working-final-report 🧠 Truth or Lie: Can you really spot a liar by their body language? Inspired by Celebrity Traitors UK, where confident guesses were almost always wrong, we look at what the evidence shows. Across decades of studies, accuracy rarely rises above chance. Common cues like eye contact, posture shifts or nervous gestures have no reliable link to dishonesty. Real insight comes from analysing story structure, consistency and detail, not fidgeting or facial expressions. 💬 Workplace Surgery This week’s dilemmas: • I think I accidentally trained my team to stop thinking for themselves — how do I fix it? • What’s the real role of Occupational Health from an employer’s perspective? • How do I manage my first remote hire without becoming a micromanager? 🎧 Coming Up Thursday A conversation with Nick Power, one of LinkedIn’s most distinctive voices and a leading figure in Weird LinkedIn, on authenticity, burnout and the changing face of professionalism. 🧠 Wellbeing Support Mind UK: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/ Samaritans: 116 123 or [email protected] 📬 Connect with Al & Leanne LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork Al: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliott Leanne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetleanne Email: [email protected] Book a call: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat

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• 247. Emotion Hacks: 50 Ways to Feel Better Fast, with Dr Ryan Martin

  It’s Thursday, and we’re back with a guest conversation built for leaders who want practical psychology without the fluff. Today: how to feel better, think clearer, and lead smarter with Dr Ryan Martin — The Anger Professor. Guest intro Dr Ryan Martin is a psychologist and emotion researcher known as The Anger Professor. In this conversation he explains why emotions are information, not emergencies, and how small, upstream decisions shape how you feel hours later. His new book lays out 50 research-backed “emotion hacks” that anyone can use at work and at home. Episode summary We start with a classroom exercise that reveals our brains still run ancient threat software. Ryan’s Why We Feel model shows how stimuli, mood, interpretation, feeling, and expression combine to create what we experience as emotion. He shares practical in-the-moment tools, then challenges leaders to address root causes: sleep, hydration, nature, worldview, and daily choices. We finish with a manager’s checklist for mapping emotional incidents and a simple mantra method for tough moments. Key takeaways Treat emotions as signals. They give you information and energy to act. Most regulation happens upstream. Sleep, hydration, nature, movement, and digital boundaries set your baseline. Worldview matters. Beliefs about people, self, and the future can drive anger, anxiety, or resilience. Use in-the-moment tools wisely. Breathing, grounding, and naming the feeling help you de-escalate and think clearly. Leaders need a map. Diagram the stimulus, mood, interpretation, feeling, and behaviour for yourself and for your team before you act. Practical tools mentioned Grounding: 5 things you can see, 4 you can hear, and so on. Mantras: a short phrase to anchor attention and guide the next step. Nature with attention: unplug and actively notice what you see to reduce rumination. Recognition over suppression: acknowledge the feeling, then choose the response. Worldview audit: do I trust people, see myself as capable, and view the future as hopeful? Resources and links Pre-order Dr Ryan Martin’s new book, Emotion Hacks: 50 Ways to Feel Better Fasthttps://www.amazon.com/Emotion-Hacks-Ways-Feel-Better-ebook/dp/B0F3WNB6HP Find Ryan Website: https://alltheragescience.com TikTok and Instagram: @AngerProfessor Substack: https://angerprofessor.substack.com Support with Mental Health and Well-being Mind UK: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/ Samaritans (UK): Call 116 123 or email [email protected] Connect with Al and 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: [email protected] Book a call: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat

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