July 22, 2025

216. The intruder paradox, hiring extremes and return-to-office pressure. PLUS! Should you ever admit you’re planning to quit? With Becky Simms

55 minutes

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.

Hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott, this is your Tuesday news round-up, workplace surgery, and expert take — all in one.

🔥 This Week’s Stories

📌 1. The Intruder Paradox: Is imposter syndrome actually a workplace problem?
New research says it’s not always your confidence that’s the issue — it’s your environment. We explore the study behind a new term: the intruder paradox — and what it means for inclusion at work.

📰 Source: https://asmepublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1111/medu.15741

🗞️ Commentary: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/matt-smeed-b6033922_intruder-paradox-activity-7346916286867681281-O3Kv

📖 Read more: https://medium.com/@truthlieswork/imposter-syndrome-isnt-your-fault-it-s-a-workplace-problem-c2e00fbe67df

📌 2. How to hire an A-player: Tough love or recruitment theatre?
A viral hiring post lays out a bold approach: multi-hour interviews, deep reference checks, and a “hard truths first” philosophy. But does this really help you hire better — or just scare off the best people? Al and Leanne unpack the thinking behind this controversial method and explore what hiring top talent really takes.

📌 3. Return-to-office rules are harming wellbeing — even before they’re enforced
A new Hays poll finds that just the threat of stricter office policies is denting morale. We unpack the anticipatory anxiety building across the UK workforce.

🗣️ Featuring insight from SWAA’s December 2024 data and Hays UK research.

🔥 Hot Take: Should you talk openly about quitting?

Guest: Becky Simms (CEO, Human First Collective)

It’s the workplace conversation nobody wants to have — until it’s too late. Becky explains why talking about career moves before they happen could be the secret to better retention, stronger trust, and less awkward exits.

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💬 Workplace Surgery

This week, we’re joined by experts from The Curve Group to answer 3 complex HR dilemmas:

❓ “How do you handle a workplace complaint when one employee wants to make amends — and the other wants them gone?”

🎧 Response from: Catherine Coggins – Head of HR & Legal at The Curve Group

❓ “Are job boards still worth it for small businesses?”

🎧 Response from: Liam Reed – Head of Recruitment Operations at The Curve Group

❓ “How do bank holidays work for compressed hours?”

🎧 Response from: Catherine Coggins – Head of HR & Legal at The Curve Group

🎧 Enjoying the show?

Follow, share, and leave us a review — and don’t forget to join us Thursday as we’re joined by Boss Class host and The Economist senior editor Andrew Palmer for a deep dive on leadership lessons from the world’s best-run companies.

🧠 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]
– Mental Health at Work: https://www.mentalhealthatwork.org.uk/

📬 Connect with Al & Leanne
– LinkedIn: Truth, Lies & Work
– 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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