Truth, Lies and Work

• 253. What happens when you bet on people the world overlooks?: The story of Standout Socks, with Co-founder and MD, Christian Laing

  Welcome back to Truth, Lies & Work, the show where behavioural science meets workplace culture, brought to you by the HubSpot Podcast Network. This week, Leanne sits down with Christian Laing, co-founder of Stand Out Socks and one of the most compelling voices in ethical employment today. Christian’s story began with something simple: wanting his younger brother Ross, who has Down syndrome, to have meaningful, paid work. What followed became a movement that is challenging an entire system built on unpaid labour, tokenism and decades of “this is just how it works.” In this conversation, Christian talks honestly and openly about the early days, the struggle to keep the business alive, the moment he realised paid roles were possible, and the wider question he wants every leader to consider: What assumptions am I making about who is capable? Stand Out Socks isn’t just a company. It’s an example of what work can look like when we remove red tape, build roles around people, and refuse to exploit those who’ve been overlooked for too long. Christian shares the reality of navigating misconceptions about Down syndrome, the emotional weight families carry, and why representation matters far beyond the product. This is a raw, unedited conversation — the pauses matter, the honesty matters, and the humanity matters. It’s a reminder that culture isn’t built with slogans; it’s built with decisions. If you’re a leader, a business owner, a hiring manager or a parent of someone with learning disabilities, this episode will stay with you. In this episode How Christian went from “someone should hire Ross” to “I’ll do it myself.” Why meaningful, paid work transforms confidence, purpose and community. How Stand Out Socks grew from one family’s challenge into a national mission. The emotional reality behind inclusion — from joy to grief to rebuilding. What leaders misunderstand about capability, opportunity and potential. Why “creating space for someone to shine” is not charity — it’s leadership. Links from the episode Stand Out Socks: https://www.standoutsocks.co.uk Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cdlaing/ Stand Out Socks on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standoutsocksuk Stand Out Socks on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@standoutsocks Find us LinkedIn (Podcast): 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 Wellbeing Support Mind UK: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/ Samaritans: 116 123 or [email protected]

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• 252. QuitTok returns, rising Gen-Z confidence and LinkedIn’s most memorable interviews. PLUS! Do high achievers really sleep less?

  Welcome back to This Week in Work This week: workplace confidence flips, QuitTok resurfaces, and LinkedIn shares its most chaotic interview stories. In Truth or Lie, we tackle the myth of the “four-hour sleeper.” And in the Workplace Surgery, we unpack micromanagement, occupational health, and senior-level flatness. 🔥 Stories Covered 1. QuitTok makes a comeback Employees are once again filming their resignations and posting them online. It might look like drama, but it’s become a visible dataset for HR — real-time feedback on broken processes, toxic behaviours and unmet expectations. Instead of treating it as a PR problem, leaders can treat it as insight: what makes someone quit loudly is usually what made them feel unheard quietly. Link: https://www.hrkatha.com/features/hr-pops-features/quittok-wake-up-call-for-hr-leaders/ 2. Confidence rises at the bottom, falls at the top Fast Company reports a surprising shift: entry-level workers are feeling more hopeful, while senior leaders’ confidence continues to slide. Younger employees have grown up adapting to chaos; leaders are carrying the load of uncertainty, hybrid tensions and AI-driven decision fatigue. Confidence is no longer about hierarchy — it’s about adaptability. Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/91440615/why-entry-level-workers-confidence-is-rising-while-leaders-is-falling-workplace-leadership-confidence-entry-level-workers 3. LinkedIn’s most unforgettable interview moments Maria Healey’s viral post collected hundreds of wild interview stories — from karaoke auditions to panel interrogations. The thread shows how interviews reveal culture instantly: the respect, the pressure, the humour, the red flags. Link: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/maria-healey_whats-your-most-memorable-job-interview-share-7394400322569424896-J3j6 🔥 Truth or Lie — Do high achievers sleep less? This week we examine the long-standing myth popularised by Thatcher, Musk and the productivity world: can you really perform at your best on four hours of sleep? We break down what decades of sleep science actually shows — and why biological “short sleepers” are the rare exception, not the blueprint. 💬 Workplace Surgery — This Week’s Questions “Am I wrong for calling out a micromanaging colleague?” “Do I need to offer Occupational Health as a small UK employer?” “I’ve reached the top but feel completely flat — what now?” 🎧 Coming Up Thursday We're talking to Christian Laing, Co-founder & Director of Stand Out Socks and BBC's Dragons' Den Investment Winner 2024. Stand Out Socks is a social enterprise created after Christian saw his brother Ross, who has Down syndrome, repeatedly overlooked by employers. We explore purpose, resilience, family upheaval, loss, inclusion and what it means to build work that gives people space to shine. 🧠 Support with Mental Health & Well-being Mind UK: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/ Samaritans: Call 116 123 or email [email protected] 📬 Connect with Al & Leanne LinkedIn (Show): 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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• 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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