Gen-Z Slang, wisdom work, meno-washing and toxic bosses PLUS the psychology behind the pumpkin spice latte..?!

Happy September Friends! How was your August?

Whether you were sunbathing in the Balkans (like us!) or enjoying some well-needed family time, I hope you have the most wonderful month. And if you're:

?? Exhausted from having the kids home for the holidays

?? Much more of an autumn person, or

?? In the southern hemisphere

Hurrah! You made it! ??

Regular listeners will know we decided to use August as a chance to rest and recharge. So, we brought you just one episode a week - our This Week in Work episode - for the whole month.

Lighter content for you, and a lighter workload for us. I mean, really. If you're on your holibobs, who wants to listen to a work based podcast?!

That said, we still covered a LOT! This bumper edition of the newsletter is bringing you some of our favourite bits, including our standout news stories, time travels and the fresh voices that have been inspiring us, including renowned Leadership Coach and TedX Speaker, Rob Kalwarowsky .

So, if you think summer is over...think again!

Let's begin.

P.S. Read to the bottom if you want to hear about my first time being trolled on social media. Brutal.

Story 1: Gen-Z Slang Slaps (am I using that right?!)

If you’ve spent any time around Gen-Z recently, you might feel like you need a translator. I certainly do.

Watch Al Elliott test me on the latest slang (HINT: It didn't go well):

VIDEO: Old people try to speak Gen-Z ??

I did terribly. No cap.

So what's the lesson here?

Well, Gen Z prefer authenticity and informality, which often translates into how they communicate, even at work. The question is: should older generations adopt these terms to fit in, or would that just make things awkward?

The general advice? Be yourself. It’s okay to learn the lingo, but if using it feels forced, you might want to stick with what you know. Authenticity will always be more respected than trying too hard to fit in.

Not to mention, we all remember that moment our parents switched from 'groovy' to 'cool'.

Awkward.

You can read the full article here .

Story 2: Is Wisdom Work The Future of the Workforce?

We’ve all heard about knowledge work—the type of tasks that rely on expertise and technical know-how. But a recent article by Chip Conley in Harvard Business Review , explores something new: wisdom work.

VIDEO: What is Wisdom Work? ??

Here are the headlines:

While knowledge work depends on skills and experience, wisdom work goes deeper. It’s about understanding human behavior and being able to predict challenges before they arise. Chip notes that older workers—those who’ve “been there, done that”—are often the best at wisdom work.

As we move toward 2031, employees aged 55 and older will make up a quarter of the global workforce, bringing a much-needed blend of wisdom, knowledge, and digital skills to multigenerational teams.

What does this mean for the future of work? Organisations will need all three types of workers: wisdom, knowledge, and digital natives. And the teams that embrace this diversity will be the ones who excel.

You can read the full article here .

Story 3: What is meno-washing??

Menopause is finally becoming a mainstream conversation, and with that rise in awareness comes the inevitable wave of products marketed specifically for it.

Enter meno-washing - the term used to describe brands capitalising on menopause-related products without much, if any, scientific backing.

Former Truth, Lies and Work guest Kathy Abernethy , a menopause specialist, was recently featured in an article in The Telegraph , calling out brands for exploiting menopausal women with products like “menopause almonds”. Seriously. Take a look...

VIDEO: What is Meno-washing? ??

Kathy's warning is that a lot of brands are slapping the menopause label onto their products, hoping to cash in on the growing market. She emphasised that while it’s great to see more companies acknowledging menopause, consumers need to be cautious of brands exploiting the movement for profit without providing real value.

Kathy suggests that instead of reaching for “menopause almonds,” stick to foods proven to be beneficial, like those found in a Mediterranean diet, and be sure to get plenty of calcium and Vitamin D.

Have you seen any 'meno-washing' products that are equally eyebrow raising..?

You can read for full article here

BONUS Story: The Psychology Behind the Pumpkin Spice Latte

Autumn is (pretty much) here, and with it comes the inevitable Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) obsession. But have you ever wondered why this seasonal drink stirs up so much excitement?

It turns out, the PSL phenomenon taps into something deeper than just our taste buds—it’s all about the Fresh Start Effect.

Nick Hobson, PhD , is Chief Behavioral Scientist at The Behaviorist and Podcast Host of 'It's All Just a Bunch of BS'. Featured in a recent Inc. Magazine article, Nick explained that as we transition from summer to autumn, we experience a psychological shift that makes us more motivated to set new goals and embrace change.

VIDEO: The psychology behind the pumpkin spice latte ??

The Fresh Start Effect helps explain why the early release of Starbucks’ PSL on August 22nd (earlier than ever) fits so perfectly with this mindset. As the leaves change, so do our habits and goals, making autumn a time for fresh starts and renewed focus.

Whether it’s back-to-school campaigns, fitness challenges, or a simple craving for something warm and spiced, marketers know how to tap into this shift. The PSL is more than just a drink, it’s a seasonal marker of change.

You can read more about the psychology behind the PSL craze here .

While we didn't have any guest interviews in August, we did continue to bring you some ideas and insights from thought leaders in the world of work - past and present.

Workplace Time Capsule

For our August 'special segment', we brought you our Workplace Time Capsule. Each week, we dived into the archives to bring you footage from the world of work in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Here are some of my favourites!

The Peter Principle (1970s)

Even in the 1970's, experts pondered why some people seem to struggle in leadership roles. If someone excels in their job, surely it makes sense that they will excel in leading others doing that same job. They will be able to pass on their knowledge and effective ways of working. And yet, may people who are promoted from technical roles into leadership fail.

Dr. Laurence Peter presented the Peter Principle as an explanation: people tend to get promoted until they reach a position where they’re no longer competent.

This clip includes original footage of Dr. Laurence Peter, originally broadcast by the BBC on the 20 March, 1974.

VIDEO: Why Top Performers Don’t Always Make Great Managers: The Peter Principle ??

The Peter Principle suggests that in hierarchical organisations, employees tend to be promoted based on their success in previous roles until they are eventually promoted into a position where they are no longer competent.

But how relevant is this concept today?

2019 research from Alan Benson and colleagues at 美国明尼苏达大学 - 卡尔森管理学院 , examined the performance of sales workers at 131 firms and found evidence consistent with the Peter Principle - that organisations do prioritise current job performance in promotion decisions at the expense of other (more predictive) indicators of performance in management roles.

The researchers went on to argue that promotions based on sales performance, rather than managerial potential, can result in significant costs. The study estimates that promoting top salespeople, who may not have the skills necessary for management, can reduce managerial quality by up to 30%.

Others think differently...

A 2004 paper out of 美国斯坦福大学 agreed with the logic of the The Peter Principle, which states that people are promoted to their level of incompetence, but suggesting that something is fundamentally misaligned in the promotion process is unnecessary and inconsistent with the data.

They argue this is a statistical matter. Being promoted is evidence that a standard has been met and regression to the 'performance mean' in the new role is to be expected. Rather than evidence of a mistake, the Peter Principle is a necessary consequence of any promotion rule.

Either way, this 50 year old footage does serve as a reminder that just because someone excels in one role doesn’t mean they’ll automatically succeed in another.

Great managers have a very particular set of skills. Start by understanding what they are, and recruit/promote candidates that demonstrate these skills.

It's not rocket science...but it is psychology.

You can Watch the full video on The Peter Principle from The BBC Archive here ??

Our Workplace Time Capsule also...

Went back to the 1960's and explored how Tarry’s Chip Shop revolutionised the way we eat. Uber Eats might owe the fella, or his family, some pennies for the idea...

Find out more in episode 122 ??

We also went back to a cigarette factory in the UK which became the epicenter of the fight for equal pay back in 1968. Female workers challenged the pay scales that were weighted in favor of men, demanding fair compensation for equal work.

This historic moment laid the groundwork for the ongoing fight for gender equality in the workplace.

Check out episodes 123 for more??

If you liked this segment, let us know! We might just bring it back!

Introducing Our September Segment: Fresh Voices

We’re excited to introduce Fresh Voices, a new segment where we feature both emerging and established thought leaders who are bringing fresh ideas to the world of work.

Our first Fresh Voice is Rob Kalwarowsky , a world renowned leadership coach, and podcast co-host of the Leadership Launchpad Project. Rob’s recent TEDX Talk on toxic leadership and its impact on mental health offers a deeply personal take on this often-overlooked issue.

Having experienced passive-aggressive leadership firsthand, Rob’s talk is a wake-up call for companies to prioritise mental health in leadership development.

Warning: This video contains themes that some people may find challenging, including adverse mental health and suicide.

VIDEO: How to Handle a Bad Boss, with Rob Kalwarowsky | TEDxKumamoto ??

Key Takeaways from Rob’s Talk:

1. Toxic Leadership and Mental Health: Rob reveals how toxic leadership can cause anxiety, depression, and burnout. He stresses that leadership style is critical to employee well-being, and toxic environments can lead to long-term mental health issues.
2. Setting Boundaries: One of Rob’s key strategies for surviving a toxic boss is setting boundaries early on. He encourages employees to be clear about what behaviour they will and will not tolerate and to communicate these boundaries to leadership.
3. Knowing When to Walk Away: Sometimes, toxic leadership isn’t something you can fix. Rob advises that if your mental health is suffering, it might be time to leave the organisation. No job is worth sacrificing your emotional and psychological well-being.

Why Rob’s Message Matters:

Rob’s story isn’t just about bad bosses, it’s about the impact toxic workplaces have on mental health and how organisations need to do more to support employees.

By sharing his personal journey and offering practical solutions, Rob gives employees the tools to protect themselves and thrive.

Check out episode 124 for more of our thoughts on Rob's TedX talk ??

That’s it for this week!

Tune into the full episodes for more insights and subscribe to stay up to date with the latest from Truth, Lies & Work Podcast As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on these topics - let’s keep the conversation going!

You can comment here, drop me a DM, or email us on [email protected]

Remember how I said I got trolled..?

#LeanneLetTheSideDown

I'm ok.

It's not like it was on one of our most popular episodes with the great Rory Sutherland . Oh no, wait.

It was...

No further feedback as yet. Al and I start elocution lessons next week.

In the meantime...

?? ?? ??