186. Are Gen-X the forgotten generation? PLUS! The 5 words all great leaders use and the emotional wreckage of DOGE, with Sara Weiner - This Week in Work, 8th April 2025

Welcome back to Truth, Lies & Work, the award-winning psychology podcast from the HubSpot Podcast Network, hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott. This week, we’re asking one big question: Has Gen X become the forgotten generation at work? 🔥 Stories Covered This Week: Has Gen X Become the Biggest Work Losers? The Independent’s piece highlights how Gen Xers are increasingly overlooked, underpaid, and edged out—despite being the most resilient and experienced generation in the workforce. Read more: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gen-x-work-jobs-b2727513.html The Power of One Word to Sound More Persuasive Al shares five words that can instantly boost your credibility as a leader—including “because”, “together” and “yet”. (Yes, there’s science behind it.) Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brain-wise/201310/the-power-of-the-word-because-to-get-people-to-do-stuff Dr Cheryl Robinson: https://www.drcherylrobinson.com/ Can Work Coaches Really Fix Long-Term Unemployment? With nearly 3 million UK adults off work due to long-term sickness, the government’s new plan to deploy 1,000 work coaches sounds promising—but is it? Yahoo Finance UK: https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/unemployment-sickness-workplace-coach-060033452.html 🔥 Hot Take: DOGE, Layoffs & Workplace Trauma Sara Weiner, organisational psychologist and SIOP UN Chair, shares why mass layoffs without empathy create trauma—not just for those let go, but for everyone left behind. Sarah Weiner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-weiner-4843a08/ Workplace Surgery: This Week’s Dilemmas – “They promoted the 30-something again. After 30 years, I’ve become invisible.” – “The CEO’s nephew applied—and now I’m being pressured to hire him.” – “My team’s faking online activity… even though I don’t care when they work.” 🎧 Coming Up Thursday… Our next guest is TED speaker and late-career coach John Tarnoff, a man who’s been fired from 40% of his jobs and still built a wildly successful second act. If you're over 45 (or just curious what career reinvention really looks like), don’t miss it. 🎯 Enjoyed this episode? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review on your podcast platform of choice. And connect with us on LinkedIn—we love hearing your thoughts. 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