TruthWorks – Details, episodes & analysis

This week on Truth Works, we’re joined by guest Alison Fragale, award-winning professor and author of Likeable Badass.

She brings sharp insight into leadership, power, and how women can thrive in high-stakes environments.

Welcome to Truth Works.

This month’s cohost is the brilliant Robert Sutton, back with fresh takes on workplace dynamics!

Chapters in this podcast

1. Introduction to Casual Conversations  
2. Exploring Academic Journeys  
3. The Importance of Status in Professional Life  
4. Navigating Relationships and Power Dynamics  
5. Understanding the Balance of Competence and Likability  
6. The Role of Warmth in Professional Interactions  
7. Challenges of Low Status Power Holders  
8. Strategies for Dealing with Insecure Authority Figures  
9. The Impact of Gender on Professional Perception  
10. Building Status and Respect in the Workplace  
11. Conclusion and Key Takeaways  
12. The Power of Unique Contributions  
13. Navigating Professional Relationships  
14. The Balance of Likability and Competence  
15. Proactive Strategies for Professional Interactions  
16. Building Authentic Status  
17. Leveraging Relationships for Promotion  
18. Asking for Help and Reciprocity  
19. New Chapter  
20. Authenticity and Strategy in Professional Growth  

In this episode of Truth Works, Jessica Neal and Patty McCord break down the power, pitfalls, and practices of candid feedback—from Netflix boardrooms to personal moments that stick for life. Discover how feedback (both good and bad) becomes the engine of trust, growth, and culture.

This episode is a rerun but an important topic for us to keep in mind.

Topics & Timestamps:

• [00:00] Opening story: a small act of appreciation
• [01:00] Welcome to Truth Works and theme intro
• [03:00] Production crew feedback moment
• [05:00] Why candid feedback is hard—fear & discomfort
• [07:00] Giving feedback is a learned skill
• [10:00] Positive feedback is often overlooked
• [13:00] Why people fear hearing “feedback”
• [15:00] Netflix culture: obsession with improvement
• [17:00] Impact of lacking positive reinforcement
• [20:00] Feedback as a gift—even if unwelcome
• [22:30] Great feedback has examples and instructions
• [26:00] Cultural differences in feedback styles
• [30:00] Anonymous feedback problems
• [33:00] Modeling feedback behavior as a leader
• [36:00] In-the-moment feedback is most effective
• [38:00] Retention and acknowledgement
• [40:00] The ripple effect of good feedback
• [43:00] Giving feedback with care and solutions
• [46:00] Motivation: feedback that fits the person
• [49:00] Reed Hastings story: positive feedback challenge
• [52:00] Ending reflections and key takeaways
• [55:00] Listener question: when feedback gets petty
• [59:00] Personal jabs vs helpful feedback
• [01:02:00] Creating a feedback culture—final thoughts

Dr. Bernard A. Harris Jr joins Jessica and guest co-host Nellie Peshkov on this episode of TruthWorks to dive into the lessons he’s learnt in his career as an astronaut. From achieving the career he dreamed of as a kid, to his recent induction into the Astronaut Hall of Fame, listen in as he shares  lessons from space and what it really means to make a  leap of faith. Find out more about his new book, Embracing Infinite Possibilities here!

Do you have an ongoing work issue you need guidance solving? Or maybe you want to know how Patty and Jess would have dealt with a past problem. Share your stories and questions with our producers here.

TruthWorks is hosted by Jessica Neal and Patty McCord. The show is edited, mixed and produced by Megan Hayward. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert. TruthWorks is an editaudio production.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joining Jessica Neal today is the CEO of Milo’s Tea, Tricia Wallwork. Together they dive into what makes the “79 year old Start Up” culture thrive and why having the founders mindset when taking over the family business can lead to success.

Find out more about Tricia and the Milo’s Tea story here!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Patty and Jessica dive straight into your Career Confessions and explore your questions and problems! From changes in work life balance to knowing when to retire to who should be buying who coffee, they get into it all!

Do you have a workplace dilemma, anecdote or story to share with the show?

You can submit your career confession or question with our producers here.

TruthWorks is hosted by Jessica Neal and Patty McCord. The show is edited, mixed and produced by Megan Hayward. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert. TruthWorks is an editaudio production.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joining Jessica and Patty this week is Professor of Business and Public policy at University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government- Karthik Ramanna.

Together they delve into the challenges leaders are facing in a polarized world and how to build the trust that empowers your teams.

Find out more about Karthik and The Age Of Outrage here.

Do you have an ongoing work issue you need guidance solving? Or maybe you want to know how Patty and Jess would have dealt with a past problem. Share your stories and questions with our producers here.

TruthWorks is hosted by Jessica Neal and Patty McCord. The show is edited, mixed and produced by Megan Hayward. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert. TruthWorks is an editaudio production.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apparently 55 million meetings are held in the US every day, and Steven Rogelberg is out to change that. Today he gives up some of his own time to join Jessica and Patty, and help you manage yours better. Steven says: rework your agendas; consider who really needs to be in the room; and don’t skip your 1-to-1s. Suddenly your calendar looks a lot clearer, and your workforce will be more productive and more engaged. Find out more about Steven and his book, here.

Do you have an ongoing work issue you need guidance solving? Or maybe you want to know how Patty and Jess would have dealt with a past problem. Share your stories and questions with our producers here.

TruthWorks is hosted by Jessica Neal and Patty McCord. This episode was produced by Megan Hayward, and edited by Maria Passingham. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert. TruthWorks is an editaudio production.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joining Patty and Jessica this week is Behavioral economist and Harvard Professor Iris Bohnet. In this episode they dive into the behavioral economics that can drive workplace gender equity. They also discuss the power of data-driven decisions, and how to design fairer workplaces. Iris also shares some surprising research on performance evaluations, self-assessments, and the persistent gender pay gap... Find out more about Iris and her latest book, Make Work Fair, here.

Do you have an ongoing work issue you need guidance solving? Or maybe you want to know how Patty and Jess would have dealt with a past problem. Share your stories and questions with our producers here.

TruthWorks is hosted by Jessica Neal and Patty McCord. The show is edited, mixed and produced by Megan Hayward. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert. TruthWorks is an editaudio production.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join Patty and Jessica as they look back on the year and some of their favorite episodes.

Featuring:

Innovation at the Largest Scale with Donna Morris

The Company You Keep with Ted Sarandos

Transparency in Practice with Kara Swisher

Self-Reflections On Growth with Nirav Tolia

AI: The Secret to Skill Building with Matt Beane

Investing In The Next Generation with Sachin Shivaram

Minimize Distraction and Maximize Results with Richard E. Cytowic

Being a Power Mom with Joann Lublin

What’s been your favourite episode? If there’s a guest you’d love us to chat to, a topic you want covered, or you have a career confession of your own to submit, get in touch with the show here.

TruthWorks is hosted by Jessica Neal and Patty McCord. The show is edited, mixed and produced by Megan Hayward. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert. TruthWorks is an editaudio production.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Former Google Executive Jenny Wood joins Patty McCord and Jessica Neal on this week’s episode to dive into the fears, ambitions and pitfalls of getting the career you want. Find out more about her book, Wild Courage, here. 

Do you have an ongoing work issue you need guidance solving? Or maybe you want to know how Patty and Jess would have dealt with a past problem. Share your stories and questions with our producers here.

TruthWorks is hosted by Jessica Neal and Patty McCord. The show is edited, mixed and produced by Megan Hayward. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert. TruthWorks is an editaudio production.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.