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.

🔥 Stories Covered

📌 1. BrewDog says it’s all about wellbeing now
After years of scandal and staff walkouts, BrewDog is trying to clean up its act — training 200 mental health first aiders and rolling out a new leadership charter. But are we buying it? And what does real culture change actually look like?

📰 Source: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/brewdog-leaves-punk-era-behind-to-focus-on-staff-wellbeing-d03xht2rx

📌 2. NatWest starts thinking like a tech company
From giving back nearly half a million staff hours to killing off bad ideas fast, NatWest’s COO is leading a culture shift inside one of the UK’s biggest banks. Is this the future of large-scale transformation?

📰 Source: https://www.strategy-business.com/article/The-new-way-NatWest-Group-is-making-work-better

📌 3. Stuck employees act out — and here’s the science behind it
New research finds that career plateaus don’t just hurt motivation — they drain people’s mental energy and make them more likely to break rules, disengage, or behave badly. Not because they’re unprofessional… but because they’re burned out and stuck.

📄 Study: Zhao, Chen & Xie (2025), Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology

🔗 Follow-up: ⁠https://medium.com/@truthlieswork/stuck-in-a-dead-end-job-youre-more-likely-to-lash-out-2de4f22ccdca

🔥 Hot Take: Matt Smeed on Why Wellbeing Leaders Are Held to Impossible Standards

Matt Smeed — Business Psychologist and co-founder of the Working Well Community — joins us to ask a simple question: why do wellbeing leaders have to be perfect?

Other departments are allowed to try, fail and iterate. But when it comes to wellbeing, the bar’s sky-high. Matt argues it’s time to ditch the perfectionism and make space for progress.

More from Matt Smeed:
🌐 Website: www.workingwell.community
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-smeed-b6033922/

👨‍💼 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@workingwellcommunity

💬 Workplace Surgery

❓ Do investors care about culture — and how do you prove it?
A founder gearing up for their first funding round wants to show off their strong team culture. But will investors actually value it — and how do you make it measurable?

❓ Should I tell my boss I’m burnt out — or just push through?
They’ve been the fixer, the firefighter, the one who holds it all together. Now they’re running on empty. But will honesty help… or backfire?

❓ I’ve been asked to gather peer feedback — but no one wants to talk to me
Their boss wants them to be the “culture go-between.” They feel awkward, underqualified, and unsure how to do it. Is it OK to push back?

🎧 Enjoying the show?
Follow, share, and leave us a review wherever you listen — and don’t forget to join us Thursday for a masterclass in managing people who are smarter than you (yes, really).

🧠 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

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’s Guest: Richard Birke

He’s helped settle billion-dollar legal cases, trained thousands of leaders, and worked with organisations like NASA, NBC and the UN — teaching them how to resolve high-stakes conflict before it becomes a disaster.

And in this episode, he shares how the best managers use mediation skills to build trust, reduce drama, and protect culture — even if they never set foot in a courtroom.

💡 Key Takeaways from Richard Birke

Conflict is inevitable. Combat is optional.
Great managers don’t avoid conflict — they navigate it. Richard breaks down the difference between productive disagreement and destructive drama.

Most problems at work aren’t legal — they’re relational.
Before HR policies or employment law get involved, there’s often a moment where a manager could step in and defuse the tension. Richard explains what that looks like in practice.

Listening is more than hearing.
The number one skill in any conflict isn’t talking — it’s listening for what’s not being said. Richard shares how to tune in and de-escalate before things go nuclear.

🔗 Resources & Links

🎧 Enjoying the show?

🧠 Support with Mental Health and Well-being

📬 Connect with Al & Leanne

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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’s Stories

📌 1. Monster Jobs Goes Bust — But What Killed It?

📰 Fast Company article: ⁠https://www.fastcompany.com/91357558/careerbuilder-monster-chapter-11-bankruptcy-filing-online-job-search-board-sinks-after-pandemic⁠

📌 2. Great Bosses Exist — And Here’s the Proof

📰 Laura Lanier’s LinkedIn post: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/posts/laura-lanier-819b04217_okay-so-270-of-us-had-crazy-boss-stories-activity-7340799206099439616--dT9⁠

📌 3. The Emotion Hack That Actually Works at Work

📰 Read the full explainer: ⁠https://medium.com/@truthlieswork/the-emotion-hack-that-actually-works-at-work-194005888551⁠

🔥 Hot Take: “The Gender Pay Gap Doesn’t Exist (Until Age 30)” — with Antonio Ribeiro

👤 Antonio RibeiroCEO & Founder, YurtleEmail: ⁠[email protected]⁠Website: ⁠https://www.yurtle.co.uk⁠LinkedIn (Antonio): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonio-ribeiro-97919980/⁠LinkedIn (Company): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/yurtle⁠

💬 Workplace Surgery

❓ How do you thank an employee who’s basically family?

❓ What should I watch out for when hiring remotely for the first time?

❓ How do I keep morale up when everything feels uncertain?

🎧 Enjoying the show?

🧠 Support with Mental Health and Well-being

📬 Connect with Al & Leanne

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 stepping off the corporate stage and into the orchestra pit — to explore what business leaders can learn from the world of classical music.

Our guest is Roit Feldenkreis, international orchestra conductor and CEO of BHZ Group, who’s spent years translating the unspoken power of presence, body language and tempo into boardroom leadership. In this episode, Roit shares how conducting teams — musical or managerial — starts with how you show up.

This is a conversation about non-verbal leadership, team dynamics, and what it really means to trust the people around you — especially when you’re not the one holding the mic.

💡 Key Takeaways from Roit Feldenkreis

Conducting isn’t about control: A great leader doesn’t dictate — they guide, listen, and adjust in real time.

Presence speaks louder than PowerPoint: Your posture, gestures and eye contact can shape trust before a word is said.

Great teams don’t need micromanaging: Clarity, tempo, and space to perform are more effective than rigid oversight.

Leadership is performance — but not inauthentic: How you show up matters. Preparation and presence turn trust into action.

Silence can lead: Sometimes it’s the pause, not the speech, that gives others permission to shine.

🔗 Connect with Roit Feldenkreis

Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Website: ⁠www.bhz-group.com⁠

Personal: ⁠www.roitfeldenkreis.com⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/roit-feldenkreis/⁠

Instagram: @roitfeldenkreis

YouTube: Roit Feldenkreis - Orchestra Conductor

💬 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

🧠 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/⁠

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who leads — or wants to.

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. Locking In: Hustle Culture Gets a Makeover

📌 2. Steve Jobs and the Case for Creative Rule-Breaking

📌 3. Perfectionism and Burnout in Tech

🔥 Hot Take: First Impressions Are Everything, with Al Elliott

💬 Workplace Surgery

❓ “Where’s a great place to work remotely and feel inspired again?”
A listener is craving nature, adventure, and a productivity boost. Al and Leanne share personal insights and practical ideas — from budget-friendly European hubs to lifestyle-friendly Asian stops.

❓ “Do I have to fake it to get promoted?”
When quiet, calm leadership is overlooked, is the only option to become louder? Leanne unpacks what the science says about introverted leadership and how to be seen without pretending.

❓ “What does purpose-driven leadership really look like in practice?”
Deadlines, politics, pressure — where does purpose fit in? Al and Leanne reflect on the reality of values-based leadership in complex roles.

🎧 Enjoying the show?
Follow, share, and leave us a review wherever you listen — and don’t forget to join us Thursday for another deep-dive with a workplace expert.

🧠 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

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 taking on a big leadership myth: that kindness is weakness.

From setting boundaries to building trust, Jeff shares real-world examples and practical strategies to make kindness a powerful leadership tool — not just a feel-good slogan.

💡 Key Takeaways from Jeff LeBlanc

Kindness isn’t about being liked — it’s about being trusted. It’s structured, intentional, and deeply tied to fairness.

Avoidance isn’t kindness. Real kindness involves honest feedback, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Clarity, consistency and compassion are the backbone of kind leadership.

Follow-through matters. Kindness without action breeds frustration.

Kindness is a practice — not a personality trait. You don’t need to be warm or bubbly to be a kind leader.

🔗 Connect with Jeff LeBlanc

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/jeff-leblanc-93212510a

💬 Connect with Al & Leanne

Truth, Lies & Work on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork

🧠 Support With Mental Health and Well-being

– Mind UK: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/

🎧 If you found this episode helpful, please follow, share, or leave a review.

And don’t forget to subscribe for more practical insights from real leaders — every Tuesday and Thursday.

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 is your Tuesday roundup of workplace culture, behavioural science, and real-world leadership challenges.

This week, we’re digging into:

🔥 Stories Covered

1. Cyber Incivility: The Passive-Aggressive Problem You’re Probably Ignoring

Shared via psychologist Nicole Williams: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nicolewilliamsorganisationalpsychology_workplaceculture-cyberincivility-digitalcommunication-activity-7338822372294029312-9QfV?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAPpxk8B1ivB8GiszIgdppDkaIkcd6hBmOo

2. Loud Living vs Quiet Quitting: A New Kind of Work-Life Balance
Forget burnout and vague “busy” blocks. Al unpacks writer Alli Kushner’s concept of “loud living,” where employees embrace visible, unapologetic boundaries at work.

3. Pride Feels... Different This Year

🔥 Hot Take

Should Management Be a Regulated Profession?
Leanne goes in on the idea that managers — like teachers or doctors — should be formally trained and licensed.

💬 Workplace Surgery

“Why is it so hard to get back into routine after time off?”
Leanne explains how different types of rest impact recovery — and why overloading your break might leave you worse off.

“Why is hiring so brutal when you’re just starting out?”
A new business owner asks why no one is showing up to interviews. We dig into reputation, expectations, and how to shift your early hiring strategy.

“How do I manage someone who keeps pushing it?”
A listener’s stuck between being too soft or too harsh with a difficult employee. We explore healthy boundaries, documentation, and what to do when your own boss avoids the issue.

We’re joined by professor and author Jeff LeBlanc to answer the question:

🎧 Coming Up Thursday

Is kindness at work a weakness?
With thousands of hours researching the science behind kindness, Jeff shares what really happens when you lead with empathy — and whether nice people really do finish last.

💬 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: [email protected]
📅 Book a call: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat

🧠 Mental Health Support

– 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/

Truth, Lies & Work is 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 joined by Forbes contributor and media founder Dr Cheryl Robinson to explore a skill every leader thinks they’ve mastered — but often haven’t: communication.

From delivering tough messages to owning your impact in the room, Cheryl shares how great communication can elevate your leadership, influence your career, and build meaningful connections at work.

If you’ve ever stumbled through a difficult conversation or wondered why your ideas aren’t landing — this episode is for you.

💡 Key Takeaways from Dr Cheryl Robinson

– Leadership starts with clarity: You don’t need to shout to be heard — you need to know what you want to say and why it matters.

🔗 Connect with Dr Cheryl Robinson

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drcherylrobinson/

Website: https://www.drcherylrobinson.com/

Forbes Column: https://www.forbes.com/sites/cherylrobinson/

💬 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

🎧 If you found this episode helpful, please follow, share, or leave a review.

🔗 Support With Mental Health and Well-being

Truth, Lies & Work is the award-winning psychology podcast from the HubSpot Podcast Network — hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott.

This week:

Welcome to This Week in Work — where we unpack the trends, traps and true stories shaping work today.

🔥 Stories Covered

1. Are We Normalising Trauma at Work?

2. 8 Ways to Say ‘Screw You’ at Work (Without Getting Fired)

3. Why You’re Still Hiring the Wrong Leaders

🔥 Hot Take

Is Alcohol Still a Workplace Taboo?

💬 Workplace Surgery

– “Should I fire my biggest client for calling at 2am?”

🎧 Coming Up Thursday

Hate corporate jargon? Join us for a masterclass in workplace communication. We’ll decode the phrases that make you sound credible — and the ones that make you sound like a walking HR punchline.

🔗 Connect

– Al: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliott

🔗 Support With Mental Health and Well-being

Truth, Lies & Work is 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 tackling the dreaded summer slowdown. You know the one: client comms go quiet, team motivation nosedives, and you start to wonder if it’s just your business that's hit a wall.

It’s not. But it can cost you — if you’re not prepared.

In this episode, we answer the eight biggest questions leaders face every June, including how to keep people engaged, prevent burnout, support working parents, and still get things done when half the team is on holiday.

This one’s for every founder, manager or team lead who’s ever felt like summer is quietly wrecking their roadmap. It doesn’t have to.

💡 Key Takeaways

– The slowdown is real — and measurable: Harvard and HBR both confirm that heat, holidays and longer daylight hours all reduce focus, energy and output. Some businesses see up to a 20% productivity dip.

– Engagement problems start long before July: Summer exposes issues, it doesn’t cause them. If people feel disconnected, holidays give them time to reflect — and potentially resign.

– Burnout risk spikes for those left behind: If workloads go up but support doesn’t, motivation and wellbeing will crash. Plan handovers and give people fewer balls to juggle.

– Support working parents like adults: Flexibility, open comms, and trust go further than token gestures. The mental load is real — and if you don’t acknowledge it, they’ll take it elsewhere.

– Remote workers need context and connection: Summer’s a great time to build async rituals, reset norms, and prevent ‘out of sight, out of mind’ thinking.

– Positive psychology works in summer too: Recognition, flow, learning and micro-wins boost motivation and protect energy — even during quieter weeks.

– Now is the time for strategy: Summer can be your planning superpower. But only if you block the time and protect the space.

🔗 Resources & Links

Harvard Study: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/heat-impairs-student-learning/

HBR: https://hbr.org/2022/07/make-the-most-of-the-summer-slowdown

Xero Insights: https://www.xero.com/blog/2023/06/summer-slowdown-small-business/

Mind UK: https://www.mind.org.uk

Working Families: https://workingfamilies.org.uk

📲 Connect with Us

Al on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliott

Leanne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetleanne

Show page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork

Email: [email protected]

Book a chat with Leanne: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat

🔗 Support With Mental Health and Well-being