Truth, Lies and Work

• 188. Is British Work Culture Holding Us Back? PLUS! Why People Quit and The Hidden Cost of HR, with Emma Djemil - This Week in Work 15th April 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 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’t Christine 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-7313166492093530112-0UjX What 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 Djemil HR 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.com Emma 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-being If 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 [email protected] (Rest of World) Connect with Al and Leanne Join 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/meetleanne Email: [email protected] Book a Call with Al & Leanne: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat

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• 187. Gen-X deserves better: How to create your dream career over 50, with John Tarnoff

  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 Advantage Experience, resilience, and perspective are your superpowers. The key is learning how to position them. 👋 Stop Chasing Job Ads—Start Building Relationships Most jobs aren't advertised. John breaks down how to tap into the hidden job market through strategic networking. 🧰 Ditch the Resume Obsession Your 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 Framework John’s proven method helps late-career professionals align purpose, skill, and opportunity into a thriving new path. 💥 Get Clear on Your Value and Claim It From ageism to “overqualified” labels, John teaches how to turn perceived weaknesses into standout assets. 🔗 Resources & Links John Tarnoff Website https://johntarnoff.com/ Free Worksheet: 4 Ikigai Questions https://johntarnoff.com/4questions/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/johntarnoff/ Book: Boomer Reinvention https://johntarnoff.com/book/ TEDx Talk https://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-being If 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 [email protected] (Rest of World) Connect with Al and Leanne Join 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/meetleanne Email: [email protected] Book a Call with Al & Leanne: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat

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• 186. Are Gen-X the forgotten generation? PLUS! The 5 words all great leaders use and the emotional wreckage of DOGE, with Sara Weiner - This Week in Work, 8th April 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 asking one big question: Has Gen X become the forgotten generation at work? 🔥 Stories Covered This Week: Has Gen X Become the Biggest Work Losers? The Independent’s piece highlights how Gen Xers are increasingly overlooked, underpaid, and edged out—despite being the most resilient and experienced generation in the workforce. Read more: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gen-x-work-jobs-b2727513.html The Power of One Word to Sound More Persuasive Al shares five words that can instantly boost your credibility as a leader—including “because”, “together” and “yet”. (Yes, there’s science behind it.) Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brain-wise/201310/the-power-of-the-word-because-to-get-people-to-do-stuff Dr Cheryl Robinson: https://www.drcherylrobinson.com/ Can Work Coaches Really Fix Long-Term Unemployment? With nearly 3 million UK adults off work due to long-term sickness, the government’s new plan to deploy 1,000 work coaches sounds promising—but is it? Yahoo Finance UK: https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/unemployment-sickness-workplace-coach-060033452.html 🔥 Hot Take: DOGE, Layoffs & Workplace Trauma Sara Weiner, organisational psychologist and SIOP UN Chair, shares why mass layoffs without empathy create trauma—not just for those let go, but for everyone left behind. Sarah Weiner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-weiner-4843a08/ Workplace Surgery: This Week’s Dilemmas – “They promoted the 30-something again. After 30 years, I’ve become invisible.” – “The CEO’s nephew applied—and now I’m being pressured to hire him.” – “My team’s faking online activity… even though I don’t care when they work.” 🎧 Coming Up Thursday… Our next guest is TED speaker and late-career coach John Tarnoff, a man who’s been fired from 40% of his jobs and still built a wildly successful second act. If you're over 45 (or just curious what career reinvention really looks like), don’t miss it. 🎯 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-being If 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 [email protected] (Rest of World) Connect with Al and Leanne Join 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/meetleanne Email: [email protected] Book a Call with Al & Leanne: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat

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• 185. Burnout Isn’t Your Fault (But Here’s How You Fix It), with Cait Donovan

  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 Donovan This 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 Donovan Cait 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 Donovan Website: https://www.caitdonovan.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitdonovanspeaks Spotify (FRIED The Burnout Podcast): https://open.spotify.com/show/2VhzgpY24d6xDhxPLGn9Ex Apple Podcasts (FRIED The Burnout Podcast): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fried-the-burnout-podcast/id1469939920 🎧 Coming Up Next Join 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-being If 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 [email protected] (Rest of World) Connect with Al and Leanne Join 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/meetleanne Email: [email protected] Book a Call with Al & Leanne: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat Thanks for tuning into Truth, Lies & Work—see you next week!

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• 184. Primark CEO’s Shock Exit, Jack Dorsey’s 'Good Layoffs' & Why Job Candidates Ghost Employers. PLUS! Why Tech Can't Fix Burnout, with John Chan - This Week in Work, 1st April 2025

  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 Allegations Paul 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 Applicants Ever 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 Chan Our 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-2025 Watch the full launch webinar: https://youtu.be/ihie8n7pvVc?feature=shared Connect with John Chan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-chan-ph-d-7883611/ 💡 Workplace Surgery: Solving Your Toughest Problems This 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 Next Join 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-being If 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 [email protected] (Rest of World) Connect with Al and Leanne Join 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/meetleanne Email: [email protected] Book a Call with Al & Leanne: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat Thanks for tuning into Truth, Lies & Work—see you next week!

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