Truth, Lies and Work

Latest Episodes:

263. The Expert Predictions for 2026 (Part 2): Hybrid work, unionisation and more of the same? Jan 01, 2026

Show notes

Welcome back to Truth, Lies & Work. This is part two of our Predictions 2026 series, where we ask leaders, researchers and thinkers what they believe is coming our way next year. If part one was warm and reflective, part two brings the heat!

🧠 What We Cover: The Big Predictions for 2026

Hybrid Will Fracture Before It Settles – Professors Ina Purvanova & Alanah Mitchell

The authors of The New Workplace predict deeper relational fractures across hybrid teams. As employees split across offices, homes and third spaces, meaningful connection weakens and culture becomes harder to sustain. Expect more intentional design, stronger tech integration and a rising demand for purpose and meaning as AI reshapes traditional work.

More of the Same… but With More Pressure – Danny Wareham

Danny sees 2026 as a magnified version of 2025: tighter budgets, rising expectations and leaders forced to think smarter rather than scale bigger. His hope? A shift toward evidence-based people practices — job analysis, behavioural data and hiring decisions that finally move past “gut feel”.

Unionisation Will Surge – Rebecca Taylor

Rebecca predicts a new wave of unionisation across industries. As job insecurity rises and workers feel increasingly squeezed, collective bargaining will gain momentum. Anti-union stigma is fading, and younger generations will be the ones to push workplaces toward shared power.

AI Will Break Management Before It Fixes It – Vince Sanderson

Vince foresees a period of chaos where leaders delegate too much emotional labour to AI — and employees do the same. AI responding to AI, while real connection disappears. The result? Frustrated teams, resentful managers and widening distrust. But he also predicts a competitive edge for companies that stay human-first.

The Death of Assimilation – Sonia Thompson

Sonia says the old norm of “fit in at all costs” is over. Employees are less willing to hide their identities to succeed, and organisations must adapt. The future belongs to brands that embrace difference rather than smooth it out. Inclusion is shifting from compliance to cultural courage.

AI Will Become a Dealbreaker for Candidates – Becky Simms

Becky predicts top talent will increasingly judge companies on their approach to AI. If tools are outdated, restricted or slow, candidates will simply move on. Transparency, experimentation and a clear AI strategy will become as important as salary or flexibility.

A Reality Check for Leaders – Jeanette Ramsden

Jeanette highlights a growing disconnect between what leaders think they are communicating and what people actually hear. Feedback fatigue, message overload and constant change will demand a new level of clarity, groundedness and empathy if leaders expect teams to follow them.

🔗 Connect with the Contributors

Danny Wareham – ⁠https://firgun.co.uk/⁠Rebecca Taylor – ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccataylor2/⁠Vince Sanderson – ⁠https://www.vincentsanderson.com/⁠Sonia Thompson – ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/soniaethompson/⁠

⁠www.frictionlessgrowthlab.com⁠

⁠www.frictionlessgrowthlab.com/roadmap⁠Jeanette Ramsden – ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanette-ramsden-0946a83/⁠Becky Simms – ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckyreflectdigital/⁠Alanah Mitchell – ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanah-mitchell/⁠Ina Purvanova – ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ina-purvanova/⁠

📬 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: ⁠hello@truthliesandwork.com⁠ Book a call: ⁠https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat⁠ Podcast Website: ⁠https://truthliesandwork.com/⁠

💚 Mental Health Support

Samaritans (UK & Ireland) – 116 123Mind (England & Wales) – 0300 102 1234988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US) – Call or text 988Find A Helpline (Global) – ⁠https://findahelpline.com/⁠

262. Expert Predictions for 2026 (Part 1): Ethical AI, text chat and the death of the resume Dec 30, 2025

Show notes

Welcome back to a very special edition of Truth, Lies & Work, the award-winning podcast where behavioural science meets workplace culture, brought to you by the HubSpot Podcast Network. This episode features Part 1 of our annual Predictions for 2026.

Join Leanne and Al as they speak to top experts who share their contrasting views on how AI, leadership, identity, and productivity are about to fundamentally shift the world of work.

🔮 Your Panel of Experts: Prediction Headlines

Phill Agnew (The Nudge Podcast): AI Must "Show Its Working" & the Rise of Text Speak. Find Out More: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/
Meghan French Dunbar: AI Will Advance Humanity & Job Creation Trumps Destruction. Find Out More: https://www.meghanfrenchdunbar.com/book
Erica Breuer: Identity Deviates from Work: Explore Over Optimize. Find Out More: https://www.ericabreuer.com
Anthony Taylor: Clarity and Middle Managers are the New Superpower. Find Out More: https://www.aqrconsulting.co.uk/
Georgia M. Hodkinson: Clarity is the New Productivity Metric (Not Time). Find Out More (Event): https://www.psychbizinc.com/eventpage and (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgia-hodkinson-gmbpss/
Josh Levine: The Death of the Resume: Relationships are the New CV. Find Out More: https://greatmondays.com/

🗓️ Coming Up Next

The next episode is Part 2 of our Predictions for 2026 and will be released on New Year's Day (January 1st).

💚 Mental Health Support Resources

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Please reach out to one of the following confidential services:

Samaritans (UK & Ireland): Emotional support for anyone struggling to cope, available 24/7. Call: 116 123 (Free, 24/7)
Mind (England & Wales): Advice and support for mental health problems. Phone: 0300 102 1234 (Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm)
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US-based): Confidential, free, 24/7/365 support for those in crisis. Call or Text: 988 (24/7)
Find A Helpline (Global): Connects users to over 1,600 free and confidential support resources worldwide. Website: https://findahelpline.com/

📬 Connect with Al & Leanne (Truth, Lies & Work)

Do you have your own prediction for 2026? A question for the Workplace Surgery segment? Or a comment on the episode?

Podcast Website: https://truthliesandwork.com/
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: hello@truthliesandwork.com
Book a call: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat

261. This Year in Work 2025 (Part 2) - Our favourite guests of the year, your listeners’ choice, and the most-downloaded expert episode of 2025. Dec 25, 2025

Show notes

Merry Christmas! And welcome back to This Year in Work!

Today we’re back with Part 2 of our 2025 highlights series, and this time it’s all about our guest interviews.

If you’re new here, welcome along. This is Truth, Lies & Work, the award-winning podcast where behavioural science meets workplace culture. Brought to you by the HubSpot Podcast Network.

⭐ Our Favourite Guest Interviews of 2025

Steve Carse — Work Should Be Fun

Episode 181: https://truthliesandwork.com/episodes/181

We kicked things off with King of Pops founder Steve Carse, who turned a layoff into a $10M ice-pop empire built on one radical belief: work should be fun.

Andrew Palmer — Fall in Love With the Problem

Episode 217: https://truthliesandwork.com/episodes/217

Then came an absolute pinch-me moment for both of us: talking to Andrew Palmer, senior editor at The Economist and host of the Boss Class podcast.
James Hawkins — Chaos, Autonomy and Building Better Teams

Episode 189: https://truthliesandwork.com/episodes/189

Al’s pick was James Hawkins, co-founder of PostHog — the dev tools company that ditched managers and meetings in favour of tiny autonomous teams.
Dr Marie-Hélène — The Science of Strategic Resilience

Episode 171: https://truthliesandwork.com/episodes/171
TEDx talk link: “Crossing the River: Resilience in the Age of AI” - https://youtu.be/JEdr2cvHF5M?si=OB07KHvgSjldYKmg

Leanne’s pick was Dr MH, who reframed resilience as a state — not part of your personality. It moves, fluctuates, and can be strengthened through movement, nutrition, sleep, and relationships.

💬 Listeners’ Choice Award 2025

Elina Teboul — Feminine Intelligence and the Future of Leadership

Episode 197: https://truthliesandwork.com/episodes/197

Your messages, comments and LinkedIn posts made this one clear.
Elina Teboul, executive advisor and author of Feminine Intelligence, challenged assumptions about power, masculinity, intuition, balance and the psychological patriarchy. Whether listeners agreed or disagreed wasn’t the point — the episode sparked reflection everywhere, which is exactly what great conversations do.

🥇 Most Downloaded Expert Episode of 2025

Dr Enya Doyle — The Workplace Rules No One Explains

Episode 175: https://truthliesandwork.com/episodes/175

No surprises here.
The episode you downloaded most — and shared most quietly — was with Dr Enya Doyle, the harassment and inclusion specialist known online as The Harassment Doctor.

This was a true masterclass in navigating messy, awkward and sometimes frightening management moments.
From appearance standards to ageing workforces to tricky inclusion issues, Dr Enya cut through the nonsense with clarity, humour and absolute precision. A must-bookmark episode for every manager.

🎧 Episodes Mentioned Today

Ep 181 — Work Should Be Fun with Steve Carse
https://truthliesandwork.com/episodes/181
Ep 217 — Andrew Palmer on Better Bosses
https://truthliesandwork.com/episodes/217
Ep 189 — James Hawkins: Autonomous Teams & Faster Delivery
https://truthliesandwork.com/episodes/189
Ep 171 — The Science of Resilience with Dr Marie-Hélène
https://truthliesandwork.com/episodes/171
Ep 197 — Feminine Intelligence with Elina Teboul
https://truthliesandwork.com/episodes/197
Ep 175 — The Workplace Rules No One Explains with Dr Enya Doyle
https://truthliesandwork.com/episodes/175

Support Links:
Mind UK — https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/
Samaritans — 116 123 or jo@samaritans.org

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 chat — https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat

260. This Year in Work 2025 (Part 1) - Featuring Bosses, Benders and Big Toddler Energy Dec 23, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to This Year in Work!

As we countdown to Christmas, we’ve pulled together the standout moments from our Tuesday episodes across 2025 — the stories, segments and listener questions that defined the year.

From new workplace vocabulary to tech scandals, CEO tantrums and the wildest listener dilemmas, this episode is a celebration of everything that made TWIW what it is.

Word of the Year: Duck Shuffler

Our unanimous pick. A perfect term for those colleagues making a lot of noise on the surface while quietly shuffling chaos underneath. Straight from Episode 202 — and yes, the Bosnia-and-Herzegovina reference still makes sense in context.

Stories of the Year:

Big Toddler Energy

When we first discussed CEOs behaving like overgrown toddlers, we didn’t expect the avalanche of DMs, confessions, and even a YouTube thumbnail featuring us as actual toddlers. From Episode 196.

Rule-Bending Leaders

From Episode 200, the unforgettable debate on rule-breaking founders… including Al’s confession about his beer-delivery business days.

The Great Employment Heist

Episode 214 gifted us one of the wildest workplace stories of the year: a single engineer secretly working for 22 startups and earning over $1m without doing the work.

Hot Take of the Year: Gossip is Good

Rebecca Taylor argued that workplace gossip isn’t just normal — it’s useful. One of our most talked-about segments of the year (Episode 194).

Truth or Lies of the Year:

The triangle that never was. From Episode 240, the myth-busting moment that sent LinkedIn into meltdown.

Workplace Surgery Question of the Year:

My Ex is My New Boss!!

From Episode 180 — still one of the most awkward, gripping dilemmas we’ve ever received.

🎧 Episodes Featured

Duck Shuffler – Ep 202
http://truthliesandwork.com/episodes/202-divorce-disruption-and-the-death-of-the-watercooler-plus-are-you-a-duck-shuffler-with-kristyna-hawkett-this-week-in-work-3-rd-june-2025
Big Toddler Energy – Ep 196
https://truthliesandwork.com/episodes/196-does-your-ceo-have-big-toddler-energy-plus-touching-grass-accidental-bullies-and-hiring-mistakes-with-stuart-mace-this-week-in-work-13th-may-2025
Rule Benders – Ep 200
https://truthliesandwork.com/episodes/200-rule-benders-quiet-quitting-and-the-dei-dilemma-plus-is-happiness-overrated-with-julian-hayes-ii
The Great Employment Heist – Ep 214
https://truthliesandwork.com/episodes/214-the-wildest-overemployment-scam-in-tech-history-plus-fake-empathy-nepo-hires-and-salary-secrets-with-rameez-kaleem
Gossip at Work – Ep 194
https://truthliesandwork.com/episodes/194-secret-jobs-leadership-mic-drops-and-spotify-s-remote-gamble-plus-the-case-for-gossip-at-work-this-week-in-work-6th-may-2025
Maslow’s Hierarchy – Ep 240
https://truthliesandwork.com/episodes/240-starbucks-ceo-fail-toxic-superstars-and-dubai-s-wolf-of-wall-street-plus-is-maslow-s-hierarchy-a-myth
My Ex Is Now My Boss – Ep 180
https://truthliesandwork.com/episodes/180-my-ex-is-now-my-boss-and-other-toxic-promotions-plus-dei-is-doing-more-harm-than-good-with-sarah-gashier

🎧 Coming Up Thursday

Part 2 of our highlights special: the best interview moments of 2025, including Steve Carse, Elaina Teboul, and our most downloaded guest of the entire year.

🧠 Support with Mental Health and Wellbeing

Mind UK: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/
Samaritans (UK): Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org

📬 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: hello@truthliesandwork.com
Book a call: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat

259. One year in: lessons from my first year as a full-time coach, with Jeremy Cline. Change Work Life X Truth, Lies and Work Dec 18, 2025

Show notes

Welcome back to Truth, Lies & Work. Today we’re doing something a little different for the Christmas break. We’re sharing an episode from our friend Jeremy Cline’s podcast Change Work Life, where Al joined him to reflect on Jeremy’s first year as a full-time coach.

This conversation marks Jeremy’s 200th episode, and instead of interviewing someone else, he turns the spotlight on himself. It’s a rare, honest look at what actually happens when you leave a stable career after 20 years and try to build something new from scratch. No glossy “quit and make six figures” narrative — just the real, messy middle that most founders and coaches quietly go through.

Al and Jeremy dig into the emotional, financial and identity shifts that come with starting your own business, what surprised Jeremy the most, and why meaningful conversations — not logos or websites — became the backbone of his first year.

If you’re thinking of going out on your own, supporting someone who is, or you're simply curious about what a year of reinvention looks like behind the scenes, this is the perfect listen for the quieter days of December.

🧠 What We Cover: The Reality of Year One

Life after a 20-year career
Jeremy left a long legal career to become a coach, and the biggest challenge wasn’t logistical — it was the identity shock of asking “who am I now?”.

Self-employment and the fear of the first step
Instead of hiding behind planning, Jeremy forced himself into real conversations — the uncomfortable kind that actually move a business forward.

The messy middle of reinvention
Testing ideas, discarding bad ones, refining offers, working through insecurities — the emotional work was bigger than the strategic work.

Why conversations matter more than ever
Despite global connectivity, genuine, real-time conversations are becoming rare. Jeremy argues that this is where opportunity lives.

Opportunities come from putting yourself out there
Jeremy explains how reaching out to people — including Al — created unexpected relationships, support and new directions for his business.

The truth about coaching as a business
He talks candidly about client work, self-doubt, capacity and the grind of turning passion into something that pays the bills.

🔗 Connect with Jeremy

🌐 Episode page & resources: https://changeworklife.com/one-year-in-lessons-from-my-first-year-as-a-full-time-coach/

📬 Connect with Al & Leanne
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyjcline/

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: hello@truthliesandwork.com
Book a call: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat
Podcast Website: https://truthliesandwork.com/

💚 Mental Health Support

Samaritans (UK & Ireland) – 116 123
Mind (England & Wales) – 0300 102 1234
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US) – Call or text 988
Find A Helpline (Global) – https://findahelpline.com/

258. Does Christmas Change Your Mood? PLUS! Apple's Lost Leaders, Veteran Talent and the Top 1% of Employers Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

Welcome back

This is Truth, Lies and Work, the award-winning podcast where behavioural science meets workplace culture — brought to you by the HubSpot Podcast Network. Al and Leanne break down the biggest stories shaping the way we work, with practical insights for founders, leaders and anyone trying to build a better workplace.

🔥 Stories Covered

1. Escape The City launches its ‘Top 1 Percent Employer’ certification

Escape The City has introduced a new accreditation designed to spotlight genuinely progressive employers. The audit covers pay, inclusion, leadership, wellbeing, flexibility and anonymous employee feedback. Positive News highlighted four featured organisations:
• Sharky & George – flexible working, healthcare and nomad-friendly policies
• The Economist Educational Foundation – strong purpose and supportive leadership
• Rare Recruitment – a leader in inclusive hiring, especially for underrepresented groups
• Unifrog – £500 annual learning budget and company-wide bonus

It raises a bigger question: if we claim a workplace is “great”, what exactly should be measured?

Links:
positive.news/society/beyond-the-ping-pong-table-new-certification-endorses-truly-progressive-employers
app.escapethecity.org/certification\

2. Apple’s leadership shake-up

Apple has lost four senior leaders in quick succession, including its VP of Human Interface Design to Meta. Rumours of Tim Cook preparing to step aside continue to grow. Meanwhile, competitors are accelerating AI releases as the Vision Pro struggles to find momentum. Investors are calling for clarity on Apple’s AI strategy as the tech landscape shifts.
Link: edition.cnn.com/2025/12/06/tech/apple-tim-cook-leadership-changes

3. Supporting veterans in civilian careers

New research by James Hardie, guided by Dr Hayley Lewis, explores the transition challenges faced by UK veterans. Themes include identity loss, misunderstanding of collective leadership skills, culture shock around workplace politics and additional barriers for female veterans.
The core finding: veterans aren’t failing to adapt — organisations are failing to integrate them.

🧠 Truth or Lie: Is the Christmas spirit real?

Al and Leanne unpack the research behind seasonal mood shifts. Studies show Christmas can raise wellbeing through connection, ritual and nostalgia — but stress, comparison and financial pressure can weaken the effect. The “Christmas spirit” exists, but only when the conditions are right.

💬 Workplace Surgery

This week’s dilemmas:
• Is it unprofessional to skip the office Christmas party?
• Do employers have to approve every Occupational Health referral request?
• Is a manager undermining their employee, or is something else going on?

🧠 Mental Health Support

Mind UK: mind.org.uk/information-support
Samaritans (UK): Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org

📬 Connect with Al & Leanne

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork
Al Elliott: linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliott
Leanne Elliott: linkedin.com/in/meetleanne
Email: hello@truthliesandwork.com
Book a call: savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat

🎧 Coming up Thursday

We kick off our Christmas and New Year specials — highlights of 2025, expert predictions for 2026, and two feed-drop interviews.

P.S. You still have time to enter the competition offered by last week's guest, Rob Kalwarowsky, for a chance to win six weeks of coaching or his book. Go to robkalwarowsky.com/reason to get the Find Your Reason tool and enter the draw before Christmas Day 2025.

257. "Get Your Shit Together": Rob Kalwarowsky on How to Capitalise on 2025's Chaos (Before It's Too Late) Dec 11, 2025

Show notes

Welcome back to Truth, Lies & Work! This week, Leanne is joined by returning guest Rob Kalwarowsky, Executive Coach, Author, and Speaker, to discuss his book, Capitalizing on Chaos. In this crucial conversation, Rob argues that the world is experiencing an unprecedented level of chaos—87% higher than the peak of the pandemic.

This episode explores why our brains struggle with uncertainty, how to overcome the status quo bias, and the single most critical skill every leader needs to not just survive, but revolutionize their business in 2026 and beyond.

🧠 What We Cover: Master Your Inner System

Defining Chaos: For the brain, chaos is simply uncertainty. This triggers the stress responses (fight, flight, freeze, and fawn), which shut down our executive functioning, making it impossible to be a good, innovative leader.
The Internal Battle: Chaos is as much about our internal state as external events. Rob discusses the competing parts within leaders (e.g., start looking for a new job vs. stay motivated to innovate), and how to bring both parts to the table to find clarity.
Overcoming the Status Quo Bias: We stick to the status quo because our brain can predict a certain outcome, even if it's a terrible one. Rob shares his "Find Your Reason" tool to leverage the goals and future feelings of success against the pain and suffering of staying stuck.
The AI Disruption: AI is creating its own friction and non-sense within businesses (e.g., two people using AI to email each other back and forth). Leaders must create clear guidance on where AI adds value and where it poses risks, particularly around data privacy.
The Non-Negotiable Skill: The single most crucial skill for capitalizing on chaos is the leader having their own "shit together". This rock-solid inner confidence prevents them from transmitting fear and disruption to their teams.
The Power of Clarity: When leaders find inner clarity and confidence, they can double or triple their workforce without hiring a single person because they can finally care about, develop, and engage their team.

🎁 Exclusive Giveaway & Practical Resources

Rob is offering a generous giveaway to help you capitalize on chaos and set up your 2026 goals!

Grand Prize (1 Winner): A copy of Capitalizing on Chaos + a six-week coaching engagement with Rob (a high-value prize!).
Second Prize (10 Winners): A signed copy of Capitalizing on Chaos + one personal coaching session.
Everyone Wins: You'll receive the Find Your Reason tool just for entering.

To enter (must be within two weeks of the episode release date: 11th December 2025):

Go to: robkalwarowsky.com/reason

Connect with Rob Kalwarowsky (Guest):

Book: Capitalizing on Chaos
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robkalwarowsky/
Website: https://robkalwarowsky.com/

📬 Connect with Al & Leanne (Truth, Lies & Work)

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: hello@truthliesandwork.com
Book a call: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat
Podcast Website: https://truthliesandwork.com/

💚 Mental Health Support Resources

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Please reach out to one of the following confidential services:

Samaritans (UK & Ireland) - Emotional support for anyone struggling to cope, available 24/7.
- Call: 116 123 (Free, 24/7)
Mind (England & Wales) - Advice and support for mental health problems.
- Phone: 0300 102 1234 (Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm)
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US-based) - Confidential, free, 24/7/365 support for those in crisis.
- Call or Text: 988 (24/7)
Find A Helpline (Global) - Connects users to over 1,600 free and confidential support resources worldwide.
- Website: https://findahelpline.com/

256. Gen-Alpha are coming! PLUS! Micro-joy, power poses and what to get the CEO for Christmas Dec 09, 2025

Show notes

Welcome back to This Week in Work — the show where behavioural science meets workplace culture, brought to you by the HubSpot Podcast Network.
Hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott.

🔥 Stories Covered

1. Generation Alpha are coming (Benenden Health report)

A major new workforce study shows the 11–15 age group expect flexible careers, strong mental health support and employers who understand neurodiversity.
Only 11 percent expect one career path, 77 percent want meaningful wellbeing support, and six in ten personally know someone who is neurodivergent.
HR leaders admit they’re not ready. The report warns workplaces will need redesigning around manager capability, clear communication and personalised support.
Link: benenden.co.uk/media/10551/bh-gen-alpha-workforce-report.pdf

2. Starbucks faces its largest strike yet

Around 2,500 baristas across more than 120 US stores have walked out in the longest coordinated action in company history.
Four years after the first union vote, not a single store has a contract. Workers cite pay, conditions, understaffing and stalled negotiations.
Leadership churn and sliding trust sit at the core of the dispute — a lesson for any employer relying too heavily on dashboards instead of people.
Link: theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/02/starbucks-union-strike

3. The rise of micro-joys (Forbes + The Progress Principle)
Micro-joys boost resilience, support creativity, reduce cognitive load and keep teams motivated through meaningful “small progress.”
For leaders, these moments are easy to design into a working day — and they compound.
Links:
forbes.com/sites/traversmark/2025/11/29/why-micro-joys-are-the-key-to-life-long-happiness
progressprinciple.com

🔥 Truth or Lie

Can power posing actually increase confidence?
The viral TED claim promised hormonal shifts and bold behaviour in two minutes. Replications haven’t supported the biological claims — but the psychological effect survived. Expansive postures don’t transform you, yet contractive postures reliably make people feel worse.
The verdict: a light nudge, not a superpower.

💬 Workplace Surgery

New coverage of Amabile and Kramer’s work highlights why small moments matter far more than big wins.

This week’s dilemmas:
• “Help — I pulled the CEO for Secret Santa.”
• “Can my employer challenge home-working adjustments already approved by occupational health?”
• “Where do I start with a competency model that’s genuinely useful?”

Referenced frameworks:
• SHL Universal Competency Framework – shl.com
• Handbook of Competency Mapping (Seema Sanghi) – amazon.com/Handbook-Competency-Mapping

🎧 Coming Up Thursday

We’re welcoming back Rob Kalwarowsky, one of the world’s leading executive coaches. He’s sharing how to capitalise on chaos in 2026 — and offering a major giveaway to get you off to a flying start.

🧠 Support with Mental Health and Well-being

Mind UK: mind.org.uk/information-support
Samaritans: Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org

📬 Connect with Al & Leanne

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork
Al: linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliott
Leanne: linkedin.com/in/meetleanne
Email: hello@truthliesandwork.com
Book a call: savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat

255. Why some people are difficult at work, with Aoife O'Brien Dec 04, 2025

Show notes

Welcome back to Truth, Lies & Work, the award-winning podcast where behavioural science meets workplace culture.

This week, Al and Leanne sit down with Aoife O’Brien Founder of Happier at Work and host of the Happier at Work podcast — for a conversation about why so many people feel misaligned at work, and what leaders can do about it.

Aoife combines evidence, honesty and lived experience to break down the real drivers of engagement: values, fit, autonomy, fairness and meaning. It’s a grounded, practical discussion that cuts through surface-level “happiness initiatives” and focuses instead on the deeper psychological conditions that actually make work feel good.

Expect to learn:

Why values misalignment is one of the strongest predictors of disengagement
How to diagnose whether your team is missing autonomy, clarity or recognition
The role of data in understanding what employees really want
How senior leaders accidentally create the problems they’re trying to solve
What organisations can do to build cultures where people genuinely thrive
The biggest myths about “workplace happiness” (and how to avoid them)

Whether you're a founder, a manager or anyone rebuilding their relationship with work, this episode is full of practical, evidence-based ideas you can act on immediately.

🔗 Find Aoife O’Brien

Website: https://happieratwork.ie/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.ie
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happieratwork
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@happieratworkhq
Happier at Work Podcast: https://happieratwork.ie/happier-at-work-podcast/

🧠 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 (podcast): 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

254. AI-xiety, dreamers vs doers, and toxic COVID culture. PLUS! Can you really fake it till you make it? Dec 02, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to another edition of This Week in Work, where Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott break down the latest news on people, culture, and behavioral science.

This week, we look at the direct, measurable impact of toxic culture and unpack the new anxieties surrounding Artificial Intelligence. Plus, in our Truth or Lies segment, we dive deep into the science behind 'faking it 'til you make it'.

📰 The News Round-Up

The Brutal COVID Inquiry Report: The report found that the "toxic and chaotic" workplace culture inside Downing Street directly slowed the pandemic response.
- Full Article: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c986821m604o
The Rise of AI Anxiety (AIA): A new report suggests that while C-Suite leaders have high expectations for AI boosting productivity, most employees (77%) feel it has added to their workload.
- Sarah Bregel (Reporter) Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-bregel-032585/
Dreamers vs. Doers: Why do so many people dream of changing careers, but stay stuck? New research on temporal focus reveals that people most likely to move have a balanced temporal focus.
- Original Study: doi.org/10.1111/joop.70064

💡 Truth or Lies: Can You Fake It Until You Make It?

We explore the famous mantra, fueled by high-profile stories of entrepreneurial bluffing.

The Question: Can you actually fake it until you make it? We test the evidence on whether confident performance buys you real career progress or if it's just a short-term illusion.

🩺 World-Famous Weekly Workplace Surgery

We take questions from listeners, including a young fan from our "Ask Old People" segment.

Should I be hiring people who think like me or challenge me?
- Questioner's dilemma: "My boss prefers to hire and promote people who closely match how she thinks and works... I'm the opposite. I like it when my team brings new ideas, challenges, and pushes things in directions I wouldn't have considered. Is one approach better than the other?"
How honest should I be with my employer about my mental health?
- Questioner's dilemma: "I'm finding things tough at the moment. It's starting to affect me at work. I really want to be honest with my employer, but I'm worried it could backfire or change how I'm treated. Is it better to be upfront or should I keep things to myself?"
Have you ever regretted not taking a risk when you were younger?
- Questioner's dilemma: "I'm weighing up something quite big at the moment and I think I'm worried I'll look back and regret playing it safe, but at the same time, I don't wanna make a huge mistake. How do you know the difference between a smart risk and a reckless one?"

📬 Connect with Al & Leanne (Truth, Lies & Work)

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: hello@truthliesandwork.com
Book a call: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat
Podcast Website: https://truthliesandwork.com/

💚 Mental Health Support Resources

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Please reach out to one of the following confidential services:

Samaritans (UK & Ireland) - Emotional support for anyone struggling to cope, available 24/7.
- Call: 116 123 (Free, 24/7)
Mind (England & Wales) - Advice and support for mental health problems.
- Phone: 0300 102 1234 (Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm)
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US-based) - Confidential, free, 24/7/365 support for those in crisis.
- Call or Text: 988 (24/7)
Find A Helpline (Global) - Connects users to over 1,600 free and confidential support resources worldwide.
- Website: https://findahelpline.com/

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