Episode Details

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.

Every Tuesday, we bring you This Week in Work—your go-to for workplace news, a hot take from an industry expert, and our world-famous workplace surgery, where Leanne answers your toughest work dilemmas.

🗞 News Roundup:

1️⃣ Asda Scraps 10,000 Staff Bonuses

• More than 10,000 managers at Asda won’t receive their annual bonuses after a challenging financial year.
• Full story: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/03/01/asda-scraps-staff-bonuses-for-thousands-after-torrid-year/

2️⃣ Google's Sergey Brin Calls for 60-Hour Workweeks

• Sergey Brin has reportedly told Google employees to return to the office every weekday and suggested 60 hours a week as the “sweet spot” for productivity.
• Full article: https://techcrunch.com/2025/02/28/sergey-brin-says-rto-is-key-to-google-winning-the-agi-race/

3️⃣ The Employability Paradox: How Promotions Can Boost Loyalty & Turnover

• The Employability Paradox is the idea that promoting staff increases their loyalty but also makes them more attractive to other employers.

🔥 Hot Take of the Week: Dr. Elaine Smith on Leadership & Wellbeing

Our guest this week is Dr. Elaine Smith, a Clinical Psychologist and Business Wellbeing Consultant. Elaine is the Psychological Wellbeing Lead at Hope.io and co-founder of Think Resilience, a new leadership retreat launching in East Lothian this April.

🧠 Key Insights:

• Leaders Are Human Too: High-ranking leaders, regardless of their salary or seniority, need emotional and mental support just like anyone else.
• The Illusion of Composure: Just because leaders appear composed and confident doesn't mean they aren't struggling beneath the surface.
• Supporting Leaders Benefits Everyone: When leaders are supported to show vulnerability, it fosters connection, improves workplace culture, and can potentially lead to more compassionate decision-making.

🌐 More from Dr. Elaine Smith:

• Leadership Retreat: https://www.thinkresilience.co.uk
• Online Course: Creating Compassionate Workplaces: https://www.drelainesmith.com/online-leadership-course-stress-resilience
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-elaine-smith-creating-compassionate-workplaces/

💡 World-Famous Workplace Surgery:

📌 Q1: From Friend to Boss—How to Lead Without Losing Your Mates

• A new team lead is struggling with a former peer undermining their authority. How do you establish authority without coming off as power-hungry?

📌 Q2: The Unlimited Holiday Trap

• An "unlimited holida