174. Meta's masculine energy, task masking and toxic superstars. PLUS! How to measure the impact of training, with Valamis' Veerle Numan - This Week in Work, 25th February 2025

Truth, Lies, and Work is an award-winning psychology podcast from the HubSpot Podcast Network, hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott. Every Tuesday, we bring you This Week in Work - your go-to for workplace news, a hot take from an industry expert, and our world-famous workplace surgery, where Leanne answers your toughest work dilemmas. 🗞 News Roundup: 1️⃣ Meta Layoffs vs. Exec Bonuses: What’s Really Going On? Is Meta redefining corporate leadership, or is this just another case of profits over people? Full story 2️⃣ Task Masking: The New Workplace Resistance Movement Employees are "task masking"—faking productivity to push back against return-to-office mandates. Full article 3️⃣ The 4-Part Framework for Finding Meaning in a Chaotic World Feeling overwhelmed by political drama, layoffs, and toxic work cultures? A quick self-check can help you realign & reconnect. Full guide 🔥 Hot Take of the Week: Veerle Numan on The Future of Learning & AI Veerle Numan, Senior Learning Solution Partner at Valamis, challenges outdated workplace training and explains how AI is changing learning & development. 📌 Why Most L&D Fails: Throwing content at employees isn’t learning—it’s just information overload. 📊 How AI & Data Can Transform Learning: AI can measure engagement, analyze training effectiveness, and predict skill gaps. 💡 Key Takeaway: AI can’t magically fix learning cultures—but it can make training more effective & personalized. 📢 Connect with Veerle & Valamis: Veerle’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veerle-van-kersen-numan/ Valamis website: https://www.valamis.com/ 💡 World-Famous Workplace Surgery: 📌 Q1: My Boss Keeps "Adding Context" (But They're Wrong) A manager keeps interrupting during meetings to correct a listener—but he’s often wrong. How do you push back without making it awkward? 📌 Q2: My Top Performer is Toxic A high-achiever delivers 40% of the team’s output—but is horrible to work with. Should you risk losing them by addressing behavior—or keep tolerating the chaos? 📌 Q3: My Employee Disclosed Their Depression—Now What? A listener’s team member is struggling with mental health but wants to keep it private. How do you support them while balancing team performance? 🎧 What’s Next? 📅 This Thursday: We’re joined by Dr. Enya Doyle, aka The Harassment Doctor, to tackle some of the trickiest workplace dilemmas: Can liking a colleague’s Instagram posts be harassment? Should you ban swearing if just one person is offended? How do you comfort a crying coworker without HR knocking on your door? 💡 Enjoyed this episode? Tag us on LinkedIn & say you’re loving the podcast—we’ll send you something nice! 📢 Subscribe now so you don’t miss a thing! General Support with Mental Health and Well-being If you have been affected by any of the themes in this episode, or are currently struggling with your mental health, the following resources may be useful. Mind website: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/ If you are feeling in distress or despair, including feelings of suicide, please do consider calling the Samaritans for free on 116 123 (UK) or email [email protected] (Rest of World) Connect with Al and Leanne Join the Conversation on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork/ Connect with Al on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliott/ Connect with Leanne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetleanne Email: [email protected] Book a Call with Al & Leanne: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat