How to Survive the Darkest Jobs, PLUS Hero Tax, Creepy Co-Workers and When is a Pilot Too Old to Fly?

Hey Everyone! Welcome Back to This Week’s Truth, Lies & Work Podcast Newsletter!

We’re all about uncovering the Truth and Lies of the modern workplace with insights from industry leaders and experts. This edition covers our latest episodes: 106 and 107.

Let’s dive right in!

Episode 108 - How to Survive the Darkest Jobs, with Dimple Dhabalia

WARNING: This episode contains themes that may be challenging for some listeners. Discretion is advised.

Listen here ?? (or wherever you get your podcasts!)

Meet Dimple Dhabalia

In Episode 108, we had a candid conversation with Dimple Dhabalia , founder of Roots in the Clouds, a consulting firm specialising in using storytelling to heal individual and organisational trauma.

Dimple is a writer, podcaster, coach and facilitator with over 20 years of public service experience. Her book, "Tell Me My Story—Challenging the Narrative of Service Before Self," delves into the impact of service on mental health and the need for self-care in humanitarian work.

Key Highlights:

• Vicarious Trauma: Vicarious trauma occurs when individuals are repeatedly exposed to others' traumatic experiences, leading to emotional and psychological distress. Dimple explained that this is particularly common among professionals who work in high-stress environments, such as healthcare workers, therapists, and humanitarian aid workers.
• Self-Care and Mindfulness: Dimple underscored the critical role of self-care and mindfulness in managing stress and preventing burnout. She described self-care as the practice of taking intentional actions to care for one's physical, emotional, and mental well-being. This includes activities like exercise, proper nutrition, adequate sleep, and hobbies that bring joy and relaxation. Mindfulness involves being fully present in the moment and cultivating an awareness of one's thoughts, feelings, and sensations without judgment.
• Storytelling as Healing: One of the core aspects of Dimple's work is using storytelling as a tool for healing. She explained that storytelling allows individuals and organizations to process and make sense of their experiences, fostering a deeper understanding and connection. By sharing their stories, people can release pent-up emotions, gain new perspectives, and build empathy among their peers.

Standout Quote:

"Being human is messy and serving humanity is messier. But nobody's talking about that. So we just we walk around thinking I'm the only one. There's something wrong with me. And it just creates this hole that we climb into and it gets harder and harder to climb out of."

Catch the full episode here for a deeper dive into Dimple's experiences and insights.

Or watch on YouTube ??

Episode 109: Hero Tax, Creep Co-Workers, and When is a Pilot Too Old to Fly?

Listen here ?? (or wherever you get your podcasts!)

If you're new here, our Thursday episode is dedicated to bringing you the best and brightest voices from the worlds of organisational life and psychology.

Tuesdays are a little more...loose.

Every Tuesday, we bring you our News Round-up and our WORLD FAMOUS Weekly Workplace Surgery. Our mystery segment this week is: Truth or Lie?!

Welcome to the News Round-up!

Here’s what's caught our eye in the news this week!

Story 1: Hero Tax

?? New term alert! ??

"Hero Tax," which refers to the phenomenon where individuals in heroic professions, such as firefighters, primary care workers, and teachers, often earn less.

This term was highlighted in a recent BBC News article discussing how society's perception of these roles can lead to poorer remuneration and worse working conditions.

Matthew Stanley from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business explained that "heroisation" may cause us to overlook the fair treatment of these workers, assuming they do not care about compensation due to their altruistic motives.

We discuss how this is a gross misunderstanding and how we should all advocate for better working conditions for those in 'hero' professions.

Read more about the Hero Tax .

Watch 'Hero Tax' here: ??

Story 2: Top Traits of 10/10 Candidates

We chat about a post by Adriane Schwager, co-founder and CEO of GrowthAssistant, about the top traits of exceptional leaders.

According to Schwager, leaders who excel share five key traits: hyper-competence, awareness, versatility, problem-solving skills, and resilience. These traits help leaders navigate challenges, adapt to various roles, and maintain a high level of performance.

Check out the full post by Adriane Schwager .

But what's a Twitter/X post without a bit of beef? ??

I might have a small rant about glamourising burnout...

Watch 'Top Traits of 10/10 Candidates' here: ??

Story 3: When are Pilots Too Old to Fly?

In 2027 a record number of Americans will turn 65.

This has raised questions about whether mandatory retirement ages should be reevaluated, particularly in physically demanding jobs.

The debate has been fuelled by cases like that of Barry Kendrick, a professional pilot who has faced significant financial setbacks due to mandatory retirement policies.

Is this fair? Is 65 a reasonable cut off age? We discuss whether a case-by-case approach may be more effective.

Read more about the retirement age debate .

Watch 'When Are Pilots Too Old to Fly?' here: ??

MYSTERY SEGMENT: Truth or Lie?

We introduced a fun (what fun!) new segment called "Truth or Lie," where we take popular psychological principles or trends and see if our listeners can tell if they are true or false.

This week, we asked if motivational quotes are truly motivating. Here is the result of the LinkedIn poll:

The poll results were split, with some insightful comments from our listeners highlighting both the benefits and limitations of motivational quotes.

Mandy Serra : "Like positive affirmations, they help frame or reframe thinking. I’m for motivational quotes!!"

Rita Ernst, Positivity Influencer : "Quotes can create the perfect pause, contemplation, or reset. They shift thinking even if the thought is 'That's rubbish.'"

Pavle S. Grujic, CPT : "Motivational quotes can help but not as much as people think. Discipline is the key."

So is it a True or is it a lie??

IT's TRUE!

Research suggests that motivational quotes can influence one's mindset and emotional state, leading to enhanced motivation and performance. They align individuals with their intrinsic goals and personal values, contributing to better engagement and productivity.

Well there you have it!

Look out for this week's poll where we ask: Can micro-expressions tell us if someone is lying?

What can I say. Al Elliott is a fan of Lie based TV shows...

Watch 'Truth or Lie' here: ??

The 'World Famous' Weekly Workplace Surgery

Our final segment on Tuesdays is the 'World Famous' Weekly Workplace Surgery. Each week, we answer your questions on work, business, leadership and life.

Whether you’re dealing with a tricky HR issue or seeking career guidance, we’re here to help!

This week, we explore how to deal with a creepy co-worker, broken work promises, and how to tell your team to leave you alone!

Q1: Dealing with a Creepy Coworker

Question: I have a coworker who makes me uncomfortable with his inappropriate comments and actions. My concerns are often dismissed by others. Should I report him to my supervisor or keep my distance and hope things improve?

We chat about documenting specific instances of inappropriate behaviour, how to raise it with managers and HR representatives, and why creating a safe and respectful work environment is more important than ever.

Hear our full advice here: ??

Q2: Broken Job Promises

Question: My job promised summer Fridays off, but now they might cancel this perk. This was a big reason I took the job. What should I do?

We chat about how the listener could discuss their concerns with their manager or HR to seek clarity and possibly reconsider the change. We also wonder if it's time to reflect on overall job satisfaction and weigh this perk against other aspects of your job.

Are broken promises a red flag??

Hear our full advice here: ??

Q3: How do I get my team to leave me alone?!

Question: As a department head, I want to stay professional and avoid personal drama at work. How can I set boundaries without being rude?

After initial confusion as to what the actual problem was, we discuss how it might be helpful to communicate your availability for work-related discussions while gently steering personal conversations back to work topics. Al also raises an excellent point: Is the listener burnt out..?

Watch our full advice here: ??

If you have a question (or better advice for our listeners!), contact us via the LinkedIn show page Truth, Lies & Work Podcast

Let’s Chat!

We’d love to hear your thoughts on this week’s episodes:

• How does your organisation address the "Hero Tax" and ensure fair compensation for employees in altruistic roles?
• What are your views on the top leadership traits shared by Adriane Schwager?
• Do you think the mandatory retirement age should be reevaluated, especially for physically demanding jobs?

Drop your comments below and let’s get the conversation started!

Listen and Subscribe

Catch the full episodes here . Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast for more great discussions.

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Until Next Time...

Thank you for being a part of our community. Stay tuned for our upcoming episode with Dr Hayley Lewis and ?? Paula Brockwell (CPsychol) - Culture Shaper . We'll be answering the question that - at this point - you might be afraid to ask:

What is a business psychologist anyway...?

I'm looking for a guy in finance...

HubSpot? Honestly, we're as surprised as you are...