Truth, Lies, and Work is an award-winning psychology podcast from the HubSpot Podcast Network, hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott. We bring you workplace news, expert hot takes, and practical advice to build amazing workplace cultures.

📰 This Week’s Headlines:

The Power of Talking to Yourself

Research featured in Time magazine shows that talking out loud to yourself can reduce stress and improve focus. Whether it’s hunting for lost items or navigating festive chaos, self-talk is a science-backed way to stay calm and productive during stressful times. Source: Time Magazine

Should Bosses Have Favorites?

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky believes good leaders should pick favorites based on fair criteria to build great teams. But does favoritism boost morale, or does it alienate others? We explore the impact of this controversial leadership strategy.Source: CNBC

Why Young Professionals are Leaving the UK

Revolut co-founder Vlad Yatsenko discusses the exodus of young professionals to Southern Europe. With better weather, lower taxes, and remote work flexibility, countries like Portugal and Italy are emerging as prime destinations for ambitious workers. Source: The Telegraph

🔥 Hot Take of the Week: Dr. Enya Doyle

Dr. Enya Doyle, an anti-harassment consultant, argues that the term “inappropriate” should be retired when discussing sexual harassment and violence. She suggests using stronger language like “unlawful” or “intolerable” to better reflect the seriousness of these behaviors. Dr. Doyle also emphasizes the importance of proactive strategies, accountability, and long-term cultural shifts to combat workplace harassment.

Connect with Dr Enya Doyle

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dr-enya-doyle

Instagram: www.instagram.com/theharassmentdoctor

Website: https://enyadoyle.com/

💡 World-Famous Workplace Surgery:

Middle Management Burnout:

A manager struggles with unclear direction, constant fire-fighting, and losing passion for their role. Leanne shares strategies to address the challenges of middle management.

Team Division Post-Restructure:

A newly merged team faces tension between legacy and transformation groups. Leanne offers advice on rebuilding trust and collaboration to prevent an "us vs. them" dynamic.

Wellbeing on a Budget:

A leader wants to prioritize team wellbeing but has limited resources. Leanne provides practical tips for creating impactful initiatives without breaking the bank.

🎧 Next Week’s Teaser:

We’re taking a break from This Week in Work over Christmas, but don’t worry! We’re bringing you a series of full, unedited interviews with workplace culture legends, including a 2-hour conversation with Rory Sutherland and our annual predictions episode featuring insights from top industry leaders.

💡 Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share the podcast on LinkedIn. Tag us in your post, and we’ll send you a thank-you gift!

General Support with Mental Health and Well-being

If you have been affected by any of the themes in this episode, or are currently struggling with your mental health, the following resources may be useful.

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

If you are feeling in distress or despair, including feelings of suicide, please do consider calling the Samaritans for free on 116 123 (UK) or email jo@samaritans.org (Rest of World)

Connect with Al and Leanne

Join the Conversation on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork/

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

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

Email: Hello@truthliesandwork.com

Book a Call with Al & Leanne: https://oblonghq.com/book/