121. Crowd Psychology, Gen Alpha Slang and The Peter Principle: This Week in Work, 13th August 2024

Truth, Lies and Work

Welcome to Truth, Lies & Work, the award-winning psychology podcast brought to you by the HubSpot Podcast Network, the audio destination for business professionals.

In this week's episode of Truth, Lies & Work, Al and Leanne bring you a comprehensive breakdown of the most important developments in workplace culture, a nostalgic journey through work history, and practical advice for tackling modern workplace dilemmas.

Segment 1: News Round-Up

• Leadership Lessons: Al and Leanne discuss the latest research and stories around effective leadership, including how managers can better understand and motivate their teams. They explore real-world examples of leadership gone wrong and the critical lessons that can be learned.
• Explore the story further: 7 Bad Bosses to Avoid and How to Spot Them During an Interview

• Gen Alpha in the Workplace: The hosts dive into how Gen Alpha, the newest generation entering the workforce, is influencing workplace dynamics. From their unique communication styles to their digital-first approach, understanding Gen Alpha is becoming crucial for businesses looking to stay ahead.
• Explore the story further: TikTok Video on Gen Alpha | Article on Gen Alpha's Workplace Impact

• Olympic Fever: With the recent Olympic Games still fresh in everyone's minds, Al and Leanne explore the psychology of crowd and how supports can influence athlete performance.

Segment 2: Workplace Time Capsule: Lessons from the 60s, 70s, and 80s

This week, we dive ito the BBC archives and go back to 1974 to explore The Peter Principle.

• The Peter Principle, which states, "In a hierarchy, every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence." Developed by Dr. Laurence J. Peter, this principle explores the common phenomenon where employees are promoted based on their success in previous roles until they reach a position where they are no longer competent.
• Watch the original broadcast on YouTube: The Peter Principle

Segment 3: Weekly Workplace Surgery

• Question 1: "I’m a software engineer and my girlfriend thinks I’m stealing from my boss. This is the situation. I work 100% remotely and I fix bugs and handle support tickets. I’m paid to work 40 hours a week but usually complete my work in 20-25 hours. What do you think, Lea?"

• Question 2: "I’m having to make a redundancy in the next few months. I have two people who do the same job. One is great to be around but not as effective, and the other is highly productive but kind of an asshole. What do I do?"

• Question 3: "Do I lie about being unemployed? I was let go last year and ended up working in fast food for a few months. Now I have an exciting interview in my field, but I’m not sure how to explain the gap in my work history. What should I do?"

Support and Contact Info:

• Have a workplace question you’d like us to tackle in a future episode? Want to share your thoughts on today’s discussion? Get in touch with us:

• Email: [e-mail]
• Website: truthliesandwork.com

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• Truth, Lies & Work on Apple Podcasts
• Truth, Lies & Work on Spotify
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Mental Health Resources:

United Kingdom:

• Mind: www.mind.org.uk
• Samaritans: Call 116 123 or email [e-mail]

United States:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1-800-273-8255 or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org
• Mental Health America: www.mhanational.org
• Crisis Text Line: Text "HELLO" to 741741 or visit crisistextline.org

Rest of the World:

• International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP): www.iasp.info
• Befrienders Worldwide: www.befrienders.org