Truth, Lies and Work

Most founders pride themselves on being “high-capacity”.
The person who can sell, operate, strategise, and firefight all at once.

But there’s a point where that strength quietly becomes the problem.

In this episode, Al and Leanne are joined by Dustin Hillis, a serial entrepreneur and executive coach who has led businesses from early-stage chaos through to $100m-plus scale, and is now building again at a much bigger level.

Dustin’s core message is simple, but uncomfortable:what gets you to your first milestone will not get you to the next one.

Unless leaders change how they work, think, and let go, they become the bottleneck that holds everything back.

This is a long-form, honest conversation about growth, power, systems, and the emotional reality of leadership that rarely gets talked about.

🔍 What you’ll learn in this episode


Why working harder eventually stops working, and what replaces it


How leaders unintentionally burn out their best people by turning them into “catch-alls”


Why systems don’t kill creativity, but reduce fear and create capacity


What actually changes at £1m, £10m, £100m and beyond


The power dynamics that quietly derail teams as money and authority increase


Why “pruning” underperformance is painful but essential for healthy cultures


How to stop being the centre of everything without losing control

Dustin acts as a guide through the messy middle of growth, grounded in lived experience rather than theory.

📘 About the book

Dustin is the author of Capacity: Building Your Business Bigger Than You, a practical exploration of how leaders build organisations that no longer depend on them to function.

🔗 Connect with Dustin


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


Website: https://dustinhillis.com

💬 Connect with the hosts


Al Elliotthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/alelliott/


Leanne Elliotthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/leanneelliott/

🎧 Connect with Truth, Lies & Work


Website: https://truthliesandwork.com


Email: [email protected]


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truth-lies-and-work


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthlieswork

Have a workplace dilemma or question? Get in touch — it may feature in a future episode.

🧠 Mental health support

If this episode brings up difficult feelings, support is available:


UK: Samaritans — call 116 123 or visit https://www.samaritans.org


US: Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988 or visit https://988lifeline.org


Australia: Lifeline — call 13 11 14 or visit https://www.lifeline.org.au


Elsewhere: https://findahelpline.com

January blues are back — but is Blue Monday actually real?
In this episode of Truth, Lies & Work, we explore wintering, career pivots, and what behavioural science really says about mood, motivation and burnout at work during January.

If the start of the year feels heavy, flat or strangely exhausting, you’re not alone. Instead of pushing harder, this week we ask a different question: what if slowing down is the smarter response?

🔥 Stories Covered

Word of the Week: Wintering
We unpack the idea of wintering, coined by author Katherine May, which reframes winter as a period of restoration rather than something to “power through”. Drawing on coverage in The Times and insights from clinical psychologist Dr Stephanie Fitzgerald, we explore why January might not be the time for big life changes — and how seasonal rhythms, cold exposure, warm food rituals and gentler movement can help regulate mood and energy.

Links:https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/article/january-blues-cure-wintering-tkxhxwkskhttps://katherine-may.co.uk/winteringhttps://www.penguin.co.uk/books/472162/the-gifts-of-winter-by-fitzgerald-dr-stephanie/9780241779576

When is it really time for a career pivot?
We look at new thinking on how to tell the difference between genuine readiness for change and endless rumination. With careers becoming less predictable and many people stuck in the “Big Stay”, we explore why job-hugging is rising — and how understanding your real strengths can help you spot when fit has genuinely broken down.

Link:https://www.fastcompany.com/91462109/how-tell-time-career-pivot

Mattel launches its first autistic Barbie
Mattel has introduced its first autistic Barbie, developed with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. Thoughtful design choices around sensory comfort, communication and representation open up a bigger conversation about inclusion, neurodiversity and what people grow up seeing as “normal” — and how that shapes expectations at work.

Links:https://corporate.mattel.com/news/barbie-introduces-the-first-autistic-barbie-doll-championing-representation-for-children-through-playhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-cygielman-7a912412/

🧠 Truth or Lie: Is Blue Monday real?

Every January, we’re told there’s a single Monday that’s the most depressing day of the year. It sounds scientific. It feels believable. But does it stand up to evidence?

We break down where Blue Monday came from, what research actually says about winter mood, money stress, Mondays and post-holiday crashes — and where the idea falls apart.

Verdict:
Blue Monday as a specific date is a lie.
January strain and winter pressure are very real.

💬 Workplace Surgery

This week we answer:


What actually works in a company culture diagnostic beyond satisfaction surveys?


How do you build a genuinely high-performance team without burning people out?


If your policies support work-life balance but staff say otherwise, what’s missing?

🎧 Coming up Thursday

A brand-new expert interview with Beth Sherman, comedian and seven-time Emmy Award-winning writer, on how humour builds trust, rapport and confident decision-making at work.

📬 Get in touch with the show

Have a question for Workplace Surgery or feedback on the episode?


LinkedIn (Show): 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]


Website: https://truthliesandwork.com/

💚 Mental wellbeing support

If you or someone you know is struggling, confidential help is available:


Samaritans (UK & Ireland): 116 123


Mind (England & Wales): 0300 102 1234


988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US): Call or text 988


Find A Helpline (Global): https://findahelpline.com/

This week on Truth, Lies & Work, Al and Leanne sit down with Dr Matt Poepsel, Marine veteran, author and the self-proclaimed Godfather of Talent Optimization at The Predictive Index. In a world shaped by burnout, uncertainty and rapid AI disruption, Matt argues that many organisations are facing a “hope crisis” – and it is quietly draining performance, motivation and leadership effectiveness.

What We Cover

Matt explains why hope is not fluffy positivity but a measurable psychological skill linked directly to job performance, resilience and team culture. Drawing on Snyder’s Hope Theory, he shows how two components – agency (belief you can influence outcomes) and pathways (seeing the concrete steps to succeed) – determine whether people stay engaged or slip into autopilot.

We also explore why so many teams are struggling: years of instability, constant change and leaders who unknowingly remove autonomy or fail to explain the path forward. Matt shares practical ways leaders can rebuild hope by creating clarity, showing people where they fit, and setting ambitious but achievable goals.

The conversation moves into modern leadership, where AI automates admin but heightens the importance of human connection, psychological safety and real alignment. Matt introduces his concept of Enlightened Leadership – a shift away from outdated command-and-control approaches toward a more selfless, purpose-driven model that balances technology with humanity.

If you lead people, manage teams or want to stay ahead in a rapidly changing workplace, this episode offers concrete actions to build engagement, performance and wellbeing in 2026 and beyond.


Why hope predicts job performance as strongly as intelligence


How burnout, bureaucracy and unclear goals quietly erode hope


The difference between hope, optimism and positivity


Why new beginnings generate motivation and why post-achievement crashes happen


How leaders can use agency and pathways to rebuild engagement


Why AI makes human leadership a competitive advantage


What Enlightened Leadership looks like in practice


How to measure hope inside your organisation


Why hope becomes contagious when leaders model it

Connect with Matt Poepsel

🌐 Website: https://mattpoepsel.com
💼 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel
🎧 Podcast: Lead the People – https://www.mattpoepsel.com/podcasts/lead-the-people

Connect with Al & Leanne

LinkedIn (Show): 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
Website: https://truthliesandwork.com/

Mental Health Support

Samaritans (UK & Ireland) – 116 123Mind (England & Wales) – 0300 102 1234988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US) – Call or text 988Find A Helpline (Global) – https://findahelpline.com/

This week, we're sharing a special feed drop from Great Mondays Radio! Our very own Chartered Occupational Psychologist, Leanne Elliott, takes the guest chair as host Josh Levine (Work Futurist, author, and culture consultant) interviews her on creating amazing workplaces.

In this candid conversation, Leanne and Josh dismantle the myths around company culture and redefine it as a strategic, business-critical system rooted in behavioral science. If you're tired of treating culture as a "nice-to-have" or a collection of perks, this episode is a must-listen for business leaders, managers, and HR professionals.

🧠 What We Cover:


A Clear Definition of Culture: Leanne shares her preferred definition of culture by John Amaechi: "The worst behaviors tolerated." This makes culture behavior-based and is a living, breathing thing that everyone can be responsible for.


The Biggest Misunderstanding: Why do business leaders mistakenly think culture is something physical (like a cool office, ping-pong table, or the general vibe around the place) rather than something psychological and scientific?


Moving Beyond Fluff: All the data and science show that building an awesome workplace is fundamentally good for business. It's great for the bottom line, customers, and growth trajectory.


The Right Data: Leanne advocates for collecting data on psychosocial risk factors (relationships, control over work, trust, resources, change management) because they are transactional elements that directly impact how people think, feel, and behave.


Innovation vs. Efficiency: An organization's strategy (e.g., chasing efficiency vs. relying on innovation) dictates which psychosocial factors to prioritize. For example, innovation requires nurturing psychological safety to allow people to make mistakes safely.


Building Internal Capability: Building internal capability for people and culture is critical for survival in the next decade due to increasing complexity and the rate of change. A C-level leader must own this responsibility.

🛠️ Practical Resources


Oblong Consultancy (Leanne Elliott's Company)


Website: https://oblonghq.com/


HSE Management Standards (UK Health and Safety Executive)


Leanne recommends this completely free resource for understanding and measuring key psychosocial risk factors at work.


Website: https://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/standards/

📬 Connect with Al & Leanne (Truth, Lies & Work)


LinkedIn (Show): 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


Podcast Website: https://truthliesandwork.com/

Connect with Josh Levine (Guest Host):


Connect with Josh Levine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akajoshlevine


Follow Josh on Instagram: @greatmondays_culturedesign


Great Mondays website: https://greatmondays.com


Great Mondays Radio: https://radio.greatmondays.com


Great Mondays YouTube: https://youtube.com/@GreatMondays


Get the book "Great Mondays" at greatmondays.com

💚 Mental Health Support Resources

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Please reach out to one of the following confidential services:


Samaritans (UK & Ireland) - Emotional support for anyone struggling to cope, available 24/7.


Call: 116 123 (Free, 24/7)


Mind (England & Wales) - Advice and support for mental health problems.


Phone: 0300 102 1234 (Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm)


988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US-based) - Confidential, free, 24/7/365 support for those in crisis.


Call or Text: 988 (24/7)


Find A Helpline (Global) - Connects users to over 1,600 free and confidential support resources worldwide.


Website: https://findahelpline.com/

Welcome back to Truth, Lies & Work. This is part two of our Predictions 2026 series, where we ask leaders, researchers and thinkers what they believe is coming our way next year. If part one was warm and reflective, part two brings the heat!

🧠 What We Cover: The Big Predictions for 2026

Hybrid Will Fracture Before It Settles – Professors Ina Purvanova & Alanah Mitchell

The authors of The New Workplace predict deeper relational fractures across hybrid teams. As employees split across offices, homes and third spaces, meaningful connection weakens and culture becomes harder to sustain. Expect more intentional design, stronger tech integration and a rising demand for purpose and meaning as AI reshapes traditional work.

More of the Same… but With More Pressure – Danny Wareham

Danny sees 2026 as a magnified version of 2025: tighter budgets, rising expectations and leaders forced to think smarter rather than scale bigger. His hope? A shift toward evidence-based people practices — job analysis, behavioural data and hiring decisions that finally move past “gut feel”.

Unionisation Will Surge – Rebecca Taylor

Rebecca predicts a new wave of unionisation across industries. As job insecurity rises and workers feel increasingly squeezed, collective bargaining will gain momentum. Anti-union stigma is fading, and younger generations will be the ones to push workplaces toward shared power.

AI Will Break Management Before It Fixes It – Vince Sanderson

Vince foresees a period of chaos where leaders delegate too much emotional labour to AI — and employees do the same. AI responding to AI, while real connection disappears. The result? Frustrated teams, resentful managers and widening distrust. But he also predicts a competitive edge for companies that stay human-first.

The Death of Assimilation – Sonia Thompson

Sonia says the old norm of “fit in at all costs” is over. Employees are less willing to hide their identities to succeed, and organisations must adapt. The future belongs to brands that embrace difference rather than smooth it out. Inclusion is shifting from compliance to cultural courage.

AI Will Become a Dealbreaker for Candidates – Becky Simms

Becky predicts top talent will increasingly judge companies on their approach to AI. If tools are outdated, restricted or slow, candidates will simply move on. Transparency, experimentation and a clear AI strategy will become as important as salary or flexibility.

A Reality Check for Leaders – Jeanette Ramsden

Jeanette highlights a growing disconnect between what leaders think they are communicating and what people actually hear. Feedback fatigue, message overload and constant change will demand a new level of clarity, groundedness and empathy if leaders expect teams to follow them.

🔗 Connect with the Contributors

Danny Wareham – ⁠https://firgun.co.uk/⁠Rebecca Taylor – ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccataylor2/⁠Vince Sanderson – ⁠https://www.vincentsanderson.com/⁠Sonia Thompson – ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/soniaethompson/⁠

⁠www.frictionlessgrowthlab.com⁠

⁠www.frictionlessgrowthlab.com/roadmap⁠Jeanette Ramsden – ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanette-ramsden-0946a83/⁠Becky Simms – ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckyreflectdigital/⁠Alanah Mitchell – ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanah-mitchell/⁠Ina Purvanova – ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ina-purvanova/⁠

📬 Connect with Al & Leanne

LinkedIn (Show): ⁠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
Podcast Website: ⁠https://truthliesandwork.com/⁠

💚 Mental Health Support

Samaritans (UK & Ireland) – 116 123Mind (England & Wales) – 0300 102 1234988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US) – Call or text 988Find A Helpline (Global) – ⁠https://findahelpline.com/⁠