TruthWorks

Latest Episodes:

How Bureaucracy is Killing Innovation, and How to Fix it! - Michele Zanini Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

In this thought-provoking episode of Truth Works, organizational visionary Michele Zanini joins Jessica Neal and Bob Sutton to unpack the tyranny of bureaucracy and the bold promise of humanocracy. Co-author of the updated book Humanocracy, Michele explains why traditional management systems fail to inspire innovation, agility, or meaning—and how companies like Netflix, Roche, and even the U.S. Army are rewriting the rules.

Together, they explore:

Why companies become bureaucratic over time
The flipside: unleashing resourceful people instead of controlling them
Radical models of leadership, autonomy, and peer accountability
How culture is built through operating systems—not slogans

If you’re a founder, HR leader, or executive trying to unshackle your team from inertia and unleash real human potential, this one is for you.

We’re wired to add, but what happens when we subtract? - Leidy Klotz Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

Why do we instinctively add when the better answer might be less?

In this episode of the Truth Works Podcast, we sit down with Leidy Klotz—behavioral scientist, engineer, and author of Subtract—to explore why subtraction is one of the most underused tools in problem-solving, design, and even life itself. From ancient architecture to modern innovation, Leidy unpacks the hidden bias that keeps us adding complexity instead of removing it.

We dive into how this instinct shapes everything from personal decisions to global policy, and how changing it could transform the way we think, create, and lead.

If you’re addicted to doing more, building more, and thinking more—this episode might just shift your perspective forever.

Topics:

1. Subtraction for solutions: Using subtraction to improve outcomes, inspired by a Lego bridge.

2. Default to adding: Humans add to show competence, like bowerbirds building nests.

3. Bureaucratic over-addition: Excessive additions cause inefficiency, e.g., 60 sign-offs.

4. Effective subtraction: Cases like Capital One task removal, PBS dropping reviews.

5. Friction reduction via subtraction: Simplifying processes, e.g., Google’s interview limit.

6. Netflix’s subtraction strategy: Spinning off DVDs to focus on streaming.

7. Cutting meetings: Reducing meetings, e.g., Stanford’s quarterly shift, Asana’s reset.

8. Subtraction challenges for juniors: Early-career struggle to subtract, need subtle work display.

9. Environment shaping behavior: How environments impact competence, connection, agency.

10. Reducing cognitive load: Filtering info, questioning outdated mental models.

Power combined with Insecurity, leads people to Lash Out! - Alison Fragale Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

This week on Truth Works, we’re joined by guest Alison Fragale, award-winning professor and author of Likeable Badass.

She brings sharp insight into leadership, power, and how women can thrive in high-stakes environments.

Welcome to Truth Works.

This month’s cohost is the brilliant Robert Sutton, back with fresh takes on workplace dynamics!

Chapters in this podcast
1. Introduction to Casual Conversations
2. Exploring Academic Journeys
3. The Importance of Status in Professional Life
4. Navigating Relationships and Power Dynamics
5. Understanding the Balance of Competence and Likability
6. The Role of Warmth in Professional Interactions
7. Challenges of Low Status Power Holders
8. Strategies for Dealing with Insecure Authority Figures
9. The Impact of Gender on Professional Perception
10. Building Status and Respect in the Workplace
11. Conclusion and Key Takeaways
12. The Power of Unique Contributions
13. Navigating Professional Relationships
14. The Balance of Likability and Competence
15. Proactive Strategies for Professional Interactions
16. Building Authentic Status
17. Leveraging Relationships for Promotion
18. Asking for Help and Reciprocity
19. New Chapter
20. Authenticity and Strategy in Professional Growth

Feedback Is a Gift! and this is how it works - Jessica Neal & Patty McCord Jul 08, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Truth Works, Jessica Neal and Patty McCord break down the power, pitfalls, and practices of candid feedback—from Netflix boardrooms to personal moments that stick for life. Discover how feedback (both good and bad) becomes the engine of trust, growth, and culture.

This episode is a rerun but an important topic for us to keep in mind.

Topics & Timestamps:

[00:00] Opening story: a small act of appreciation
[01:00] Welcome to Truth Works and theme intro
[03:00] Production crew feedback moment
[05:00] Why candid feedback is hard—fear & discomfort
[07:00] Giving feedback is a learned skill
[10:00] Positive feedback is often overlooked
[13:00] Why people fear hearing “feedback”
[15:00] Netflix culture: obsession with improvement
[17:00] Impact of lacking positive reinforcement
[20:00] Feedback as a gift—even if unwelcome
[22:30] Great feedback has examples and instructions
[26:00] Cultural differences in feedback styles
[30:00] Anonymous feedback problems
[33:00] Modeling feedback behavior as a leader
[36:00] In-the-moment feedback is most effective
[38:00] Retention and acknowledgement
[40:00] The ripple effect of good feedback
[43:00] Giving feedback with care and solutions
[46:00] Motivation: feedback that fits the person
[49:00] Reed Hastings story: positive feedback challenge
[52:00] Ending reflections and key takeaways
[55:00] Listener question: when feedback gets petty
[59:00] Personal jabs vs helpful feedback
[01:02:00] Creating a feedback culture—final thoughts

Charles Feltman - How these 4 behaviours Build or Break Trust within teams Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

This episode is a re-eun of a past episode. New episode upcoming this Monday.

In this episode, Jessica Neal and Patty McCord welcome executive coach and bestselling author Charles Feltman, known for The Thin Book of Trust. They dive into the four essential “domains of trust” – clarity, compassion, reliability, and consistency – and unpack how these foundational behaviors create a culture where teams can truly thrive.

Charles shares real-world insights on how transparency and open communication transform workplace dynamics, empowering leaders to build trust intentionally. By translating trust into actionable steps, this episode delivers concrete strategies that any team can put into practice right away.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro & welcome Jessica Neal & Patty McCord
00:42 – Guest intro: Charles Feltman, author of *The Thin Book of Trust*
01:10 – Why the four domains framework matters in teams
02:15 – Overview: care, sincerity, reliability, competence
06:40 – Deep dive: how *care* and *sincerity* build psychological safety
10:37 – Identifying which domain needs work in your team
15:20 – Real-world examples of rebuilding trust through actions
23:50 – Strategies for leaders: transparent conversations
30:10 – Final insights & closing thoughts from Charles Feltman

Becoming the Changemaker with Danaya Wilson Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

This week Jessica is joined by Danaya Wilson, CEO of BetterCertify and author of Changemakers Wanted. They dive into Danaya's unconventional career journey, and the challenges of balancing motherhood with leadership. Together, they explore the need for workplace flexibility, cultural shifts around women’s roles, and community-driven solutions to support working parents.

Do you have an ongoing work issue you need guidance solving? Or maybe you want to know how Patty and Jess would have dealt with a past problem. Share your stories and questions with our producers here.