225. The ‘Ta-Da’! Philosophy: Why Fun Could Save Your Workplace, with Joel Zeff

Welcome back to Truth, Lies & Work, the award-winning podcast where behavioural science meets workplace culture — brought to you by the HubSpot Podcast Network. Hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott, we’re here to simplify the science of work. Summer is over and we're back with This Week in Work, where we bring you the latest headlines, expert hot takes and answer your questions in our world famous weekly workplace surgery. 🔥 Stories Covered 📌 Nestlé CEO Fired Over Secret Romance When the world’s largest food company sacks its global CEO after 40 years, the issue isn’t just scandal — it’s trust. We explore why hidden relationships at the top create ripples through entire organisations, eroding fairness and psychological safety. 📰 Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1mpm9ee9p9o 📌 1,000 Days of ChatGPT What has AI really changed about work since its launch? We look at productivity gains, job fears, and whether we’re truly in the middle of a white-collar industrial revolution. 📰 Read more: https://www.cityam.com/1000-days-of-chatgpt-how-has-work-changed/ 📌 19 Ways to Improve Your Life, According to Science Forget September stress — it’s the real new year. We revisit evidence-based ways to reset, refresh, and make small, meaningful changes. 📰 Read more: https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/19-ways-improve-your-life 🔥 Hot Take: Rage Baiting at Work We’re used to rage-bait headlines online, but what happens when leaders use sarcasm and provocation in the office? Guest Vanessa Judelman argues it silences teams, destroys trust, and confuses sharpness for strength. More from Vanessa: – Website: https://www.mosaicpd.com/ – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessajudelman/ – Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MosaicPeopleDevelopment – Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessajudelman/ – Twitter: https://twitter.com/MosaicPD 💬 Workplace Surgery ❓ Do employee engagement platforms really work — or are they just tick-box exercises? ❓ I was refused unpaid leave for health reasons, but my colleague was granted it months later. What can I do? - featuring Cat Coggins from The Curve Group: https://www.thecurvegroup.co.uk/ ❓ Are we too focused on experience — and missing out on talent? 🧠 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 – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork – 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 podcast where behavioral science meets workplace culture. Hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott, this episode features Tony Cooke, former VP of Human Resources at Adidas, who spent decades proving that HR doesn't have to be the department everyone dreads. Episode Summary Imagine you're the head of an HR team and you get asked to present the team's vision for the future workforce of the largest sportswear company in Europe. But instead of sitting down and putting together the usual dull PowerPoint slide presentation, you instead decide to make a James Bond style movie. You have the MD kidnapped, he's tied up, he's stuffed into a chest and he does multiple takes until he is bruised and battered. That's exactly what happened at Adidas, where Tony Cooke was running HR. His approach was to make HR more human by appealing to people's sense of humor and showing genuine personality. His initiatives were so effective that HQ kept stealing them and rolling them out worldwide, earning his team the nickname "The North Mafia." What We Cover Why HR Became the Villain How HR became the convenient pantomime villain in organizations The Waggish Approach What it means to be "waggish" and take formality out of HR Maverick Initiatives The "Addie Oscars" - cost-neutral recognition that packed halls to the rafters Speed dating for talent across different markets "DIVIN" (Diversity + Inclusion) - making difficult topics fun and engaging The James Bond Movie How Tony's team created a spy movie instead of PowerPoint slides for Workforce 2020 Key Takeaways 1. Collaborate with Senior Stakeholders Early Tony's biggest learning was that even the best ideas need buy-in from decision makers. Build those relationships before you need them, not after. 2. Learn the Business Inside and Out Don't just be an HR person - be a business partner who understands revenue, competitors, and strategic priorities. Tony challenged HR professionals to know their company's turnover. 3. Show Your Human Side Stop being the aloof rule-maker and let people see that you're human with frailties, bad days, and emotions. People warm to authenticity, not perfection. The Results Adidas became known as a talent factory with a conveyor belt of leaders going to senior roles across America, Amsterdam, Germany, and beyond. That's the business impact of making HR genuinely human at one of the world's most recognizable brands. Resources Tony Cooke on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-cooke-9706341b/ Tony's book "Waggish Chronicles of a Maverick in a Corporate World" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Waggish-Chronicles-Maverick-Corporate-World-ebook/dp/B0FDBL9XGS Also available on Everand: https://www.everand.com/book/877879715/Waggish-Chronicles-of-a-Maverick-in-a-Corporate-World Connect with Your Hosts Connect with Al on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliott/ Connect with Leanne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetleanne Join the discussion about this episode on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork/ Email: [email protected] Follow us on Instagram: @truthlieswork Chat with us on Twitter: @truthlieswork YouTube channel: @TruthLiesWork Check us out on TikTok: @truthlieswork Want a chat about your workplace culture? [email protected] Got feedback/questions/guest suggestions? Email [email protected]

Welcome back to Truth, Lies & Work, the award-winning podcast where behavioural science meets workplace culture — brought to you by the HubSpot Podcast Network. Hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott, we’re here to simplify the science of work. This week we’re sharing part two of our conversation with Jon White and Nick Korte, hosts of the Nerd Journey podcast. If you missed part one, it’s in our feed as episode 224. In that first half we explored the pressure on managers in flatter organisations. Today, we flip the lens: what it’s like to be in the team, and how to thrive in uncertain times. 🔥 What We Cover 📌 Clarity is everything Why asking your manager “What does good look like?” is the most powerful way to stand out and support your team. 📌 Psychological safety in action A story from Toyota’s production line — where pulling the stop cord is a daily ritual — shows why culture matters more than rules. 📌 The role of the quiet hero Why the colleagues who make life easier for everyone else are the ones you’ll remember, and why every team needs a “Bob.” 📌 Managers need support too How leaders can stop stress rolling downhill by finding their own outlets — from peers to coaches — instead of passing pressure to their teams. 📌 Becoming an entrepreneur of your own reputation How to take control of how you’re seen at work without falling into “personal brand” clichés. 🎧 Want more from Jon & Nick? Nerd Journey Podcast: ⁠https://www.nerd-journey.com⁠ Connect with Jon White on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonwhite173/⁠ Connect with Nick Korte on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickkorte/⁠ 👉 Listen to Part 1 on Nerd Journey here:⁠⁠https://nerd-journey.com/task-cohesion-managing-a-larger-team-in-a-flatter-organization-amidst-a-climate-of-uncertainty-with-al-and-leanne-elliott-1-2/⁠ 🧠 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 LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork⁠ 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 podcast where behavioural science meets workplace culture — brought to you by the HubSpot Podcast Network. Hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott, we’re here to simplify the science of work. This week we’re joined by Meghan French Dunbar — author, speaker, business anthropologist, and former CEO who built a nationally distributed magazine before realising she was chasing all the wrong metrics. Meghan has interviewed over a thousand business leaders and in her new book This Isn’t Working she argues that everything we’ve been told about business success is upside down. 🔥 What We Cover 📌 Banana-hoarding billionaires Why we celebrate exploitative leaders — and what it says about our values. 📌 The power of active listening How one of Meghan’s best hires started with an unexpected, deeply human conversation. 📌 What’s really broken in business Why shareholder supremacy and profit-at-all-cost thinking is destroying wellbeing, and the companies proving there’s a better way. 📌 Redefining success The shift from extrinsic motivators like money and titles, to intrinsic motivators like purpose, growth, and autonomy. 📌 Practical inspiration Case studies from Zingerman’s to Eileen Fisher showing how treating people well leads to long-term profitability and resilience. 🎧 Want more from Meghan French Dunbar? – Website: https://www.meghanfrenchdunbar.com/book – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanfrenchdunbar – Substack: https://meghanfrenchdunbar.substack.com – Email: [email protected] – Book: This Isn’t Working (use code TLW for 20% off) → https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/meghan-french-dunbar/this-isnt-working/9781541704862/?lens=basic-venture 🧠 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 – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork – 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 podcast where behavioural science meets workplace culture — brought to you by the HubSpot Podcast Network. Hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott, we’re here to simplify the science of work. This week, we’re doing something different. Think of this as your own personal coaching session. September is the season of fresh starts — kids are back at school, Q3 is ending, and it’s the perfect time to reset before the chaos of year-end. Over 40 minutes, Al becomes the “coachee” while Leanne guides us through five evidence-based exercises designed to help you reflect, reset, and refocus for the final stretch of 2025. And yes — you can do them right alongside us. 🔥 What We Cover (and How to Do It Yourself) 📌 STOP: A Mindfulness Reset STOP is a simple four-step tool for breaking out of autopilot and regaining clarity. S – Stop what you’re doing. T – Take a breath. O – Observe what’s happening: your thoughts, feelings, and body. P – Proceed with greater awareness. This is especially useful before tough meetings, responding to emails, or when stress spikes. 📌 Three Good Things: Gratitude with Science At the end of each day, write down three things that went well and why. Research shows this boosts happiness, resilience, and sleep quality. For a September reset, reflect on three good things from your summer — it helps you carry positive energy into autumn. 📌 Future Self Vision: Planning with Perspective Our brains treat “future us” like a stranger, which makes long-term planning harder. Visualisation helps close that gap. Imagine yourself three months from now (end of Q4): What have you achieved? What challenges did you overcome? How do you feel? Write it down as if it’s already happened — this creates motivation and clarity for the months ahead. 📌 WOOP Goal Setting: Turning Wishes into Action WOOP is a research-backed framework to set goals that stick: W – Wish: What do you want to achieve? O – Outcome: What would it look and feel like if you succeeded? O – Obstacle: What could get in the way? P – Plan: What will you do when that obstacle shows up? This helps move beyond vague goals into practical steps. 📌 Energy Intention: Carrying the Right Mindset Instead of just asking “What do I want to achieve?”, ask: “How do I want to show up?” “What energy do I want to bring to my team, my family, my work?” This reframes success as not just outcomes but how you live and lead every day. 🧠 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 – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork – 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 podcast where behavioural science meets workplace culture — brought to you by the HubSpot Podcast Network. I’m Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott, joined as always by business owner Al Elliott, and together we simplify the science of work. This week’s guest is Patrick Fagan — behavioural scientist, bestselling author, and consultant on influence and psychology. Patrick spent a year doing something completely new every single week, from joining cults to attending cuddle workshops, from My Little Pony conventions to colonic irrigation, all to see how novelty shapes happiness, memory, and meaning. His reflections are part science, part personal experiment — and the lessons go way beyond fun stories. They show us how leaders, teams, and individuals can use novelty and experience design to build happier, more connected, and more creative lives. 🔥 What We Cover 📌 The science of novelty and happiness Why our brains crave new experiences — and how they can literally make life feel longer. 📌 52 weeks, 52 experiments From cult meetings to cuddle workshops, what Patrick learned by pushing himself into the uncomfortable and unusual. 📌 Pleasure vs purpose The psychology of why struggle and awkwardness can create deeper meaning than comfort alone. 📌 From marketing to management What behavioural science and experiential retail can teach leaders about creating workplaces that people remember. 📌 Practical takeaways Why even small changes — like trying a new recipe or changing your work setting — can transform how you feel about life and work. 🎧 Want more from Patrick Fagan? – Website (consulting, behavioural science): https://patrickfagan.co.uk/ – “Just Do Stuff” blog (Patrick’s 52 experiences): https://justdostuff.co.uk/ 🧠 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 – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork – 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 podcast where behavioural science meets workplace culture — brought to you by the HubSpot Podcast Network. Hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott, we’re here to simplify the science of work. This week, we’re rolling out a brand-new format: Ranking the Wildest Workplace Stories of 2025. From four-day weeks to CEO meltdowns, overemployment scams to viral kiss cams, these are the headlines shaping work this year — and we’re grading them like a school report card. Some get an A+. Some fail spectacularly. All of them tell us something about where work is headed. 🔥 The Stories We Cover 📌 🌍 200 UK Companies Go Four-Day Week A permanent shift for over 5,000 workers. Future of productivity or privileged luxury? 📌 🤬 Jamie Dimon’s WFH Rant The JPMorgan CEO’s viral meltdown over hybrid petitions. Authentic leadership or toxic boomer energy? 📌 🤖 Duolingo’s AI-First Revolution Replacing writers and translators with AI. Bold innovation or corporate creativity-killer? 📌 💼 Soham Parekh’s Overemployment Scam One man, four startups, 140-hour weeks. Audacious hustle or scam that risks remote work trust? 📌 🎵 Kiss Cam Coldplay CEO Affair Caught live at a concert — and out of a job days later. Just comedy, or proof of workplace power imbalance? 📌 🔥 Sydney Sweeney “Jeans or Genes” Ad A viral American Eagle campaign gone global. Smart controversy marketing or harmful echo of eugenics? 🧠 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 – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork – 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 podcast where behavioural science meets workplace culture, brought to you by the HubSpot Podcast Network. Hosted by Leanne Elliott, Chartered Occupational Psychologist and business owner, Al Elliott, together they help you simplify the science of work. This week’s summer session is about something we don’t talk about enough: fun. Our guest, Joel Zeff — keynote speaker, improv performer, and workplace energy expert — believes that celebrating small wins with a simple “ta-da!” can transform how your team feels and performs. Forget forced fun and ping pong tables. Joel’s approach is about authentic energy, appreciation, and joy. 🔥 What We Cover 📌 Why fun matters at work Joel shares why fun isn’t a distraction, but the secret sauce for engagement, retention, and genuine performance. 📌 Dumb Ass Managers The managers who drain energy and destroy creativity — and how to avoid becoming one. 📌 The ‘Ta-Da’ philosophy How celebrating everyday wins can rebuild motivation, positivity, and connection. 📌 Appreciation as leadership Joel explains why recognising people is the simplest, most powerful tool managers have. 🎧 Want more from Joel Zeff? – Website: https://www.joelzeff.com/ – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelzeff/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thejoelzeff/ 🧠 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 – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork – 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 podcast where behavioural science meets workplace culture. Hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott, we’re here to simplify the science of work. This week is a special crossover: our conversation with Jon White and Nick Korte, co-hosts of the brilliant Nerd Journey podcast. In this two-part series, we dig into what makes teams thrive (and fail), the skills most managers never get taught, and how to navigate careers in uncertain times. 👉 Listen to Part 1 on Nerd Journey here:https://nerd-journey.com/task-cohesion-managing-a-larger-team-in-a-flatter-organization-amidst-a-climate-of-uncertainty-with-al-and-leanne-elliott-1-2/ 👉 Listen to Part 2 on Nerd Journey here:https://nerd-journey.com/champion-your-people-role-clarity-for-the-ic-in-the-chaotic-world-of-work-with-al-and-leanne-elliott-2-2/ 🔥 What We Cover The hidden skills every great manager needs — and why most never get trained in them. How to navigate career pivots without losing confidence (even if it feels like you’re starting over). The difference between being a “boss” and being a leader who actually develops people. Why Jon and Nick believe the best career stories come from mistakes and detours, not perfect planning. The surprising lessons they’ve learned from 300+ interviews with tech professionals. 🎧 Want more from Jon & Nick? Nerd Journey Podcast: https://www.nerd-journey.com Connect with Jon White on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonwhite173/ Connect with Nick Korte on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickkorte/ 🧠 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 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork 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 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 Thursday deep-dive with a workplace expert. 🎙️ This Week's Guest: John Michel Associate Professor at Loyola University of Maryland, John discovered that awkward small talk doesn't just make people uncomfortable — it leads to emotional exhaustion, the precursor to burnout. His research reveals the dark side of workplace chatter that's hiding in plain sight. 💡 Key Takeaways from John Michel Surface-level is better. Until trust develops, keep workplace conversations professional. Personal topics can harm professional image. Forced fun backfires. Don't mandate Fun Fridays. Organic socializing builds stronger relationships than manufactured activities. Uncomfortable conversations isolate. Bad small talk makes people feel excluded, reducing their support network and increasing burnout risk. 🎧 Want more from John Michel? – Website: https://johnwmichel.wordpress.com/ – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-michel-33883a5/ 🎧 Enjoying the show? Follow, share, and leave us a review — and join us Tuesday for our summer session where we chat about the fun side of work. 🧠 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 – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork – 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