How to Escape the People Pleasing Trap at Work

How Judgment and Risk Aversion Murder Creativity at Work

Episode 17 of Corporate Therapy takes a blowtorch to the myth of workplace creativity. Matt, the corporate plumber, and Rob, the leadership locksmith, rip into the gap between what leaders say they want and what actually happens when someone dares to colour outside the lines. They reveal why joy (not beanbags or post-its) fuels real creativity, how fragility and judgement kill ideas faster than a budget meeting, and why the obsession with efficiency is creativity’s silent assassin. They explain: - Why most people still believe they’re “not creative” - How judgement and risk-aversion bury ideas before they breathe - The hidden link between joy, trust, and productivity - Why constraints can fuel creativity or crush it - How middle managers can protect fragile creativity in toxic environments This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit corporatetherapy.substack.com [https://corporatetherapy.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Episode 16: How to Build a Growth Mindset

Episode 16 of Corporate Therapy rips into the myths around growth mindset and shows why it’s more than a motivational slogan. Matt, the corporate plumber, and Rob, the leadership locksmith, reveal what really happens when leaders cling to certainty, why unlearning matters more than ever, and how failure becomes the raw material of growth. They explain: * The messy difference between fixed and growth mindsets * Why failure isn’t a detour but the main road to learning * How leaders can swap ego for curiosity * What it takes to build resilience under pressure * Why discomfort is the clearest signal you’re actually growing This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit corporatetherapy.substack.com [https://corporatetherapy.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Episode 15 - How to Tackle Conflict at Work

Episode 15 of Corporate Therapy takes a hard look at the kind of workplace silence that isn’t about deep focus. It is about fear, politics, and unspoken tension that slowly rots a team from the inside out. Matt, the corporate plumber, and Rob, the leadership locksmith, pull back the curtain on how conflict really plays out behind closed doors. They unpack the difference between healthy quiet and the kind that signals trouble, share personal stories of when ignoring it backfired, and call out why HR isn’t always the hero you think it is. Along the way, they explore whether AI can actually help manage conflict without stripping it of its humanity. This isn’t just theory. They break down how to spot the early signs, how to open the conversations people avoid, and how to turn heated debates into trust-building moments. If you have ever worked somewhere where the loudest thing in the room was the silence, this episode will hit uncomfortably close to home and give you the tools to do something about it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit corporatetherapy.substack.com [https://corporatetherapy.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Why Prioritisation Feels Like a Rigged Game

Welcome to Corporate Therapy, where Matt the Corporate Plumber and Rob the Leadership Locksmith rip into the corporate fantasy of perfect prioritisation. You know the one, neat frameworks, rational decisions, zero burnout. Yeah, that’s not how it works. In this episode, they expose why prioritisation often becomes a theatre of busyness, how culture and politics hijack decision-making, and why half your backlog exists just to look productive. It’s part rant, part intervention, loaded with frameworks that actually work, stories of when it all goes to hell, and sharp truths about why getting your priorities straight is less about tools and more about courage. If your team’s drowning in “top priorities” and nothing seems to move, this one’s for you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit corporatetherapy.substack.com [https://corporatetherapy.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

How to Escape the People Pleasing Trap at Work

Dive into the latest episode of Corporate Therapy with Matt, your corporate plumber, and Rob, your leadership locksmith, as they tackle the pitfall of people pleasing in the workplace. They discuss how people pleasing can supercharge your early career but turn detrimental as you climb the leadership ladder. Matt and Rob explore the personal experiences, psychological underpinnings, gender norms, and industry-specific challenges that shape people-pleasing behaviour. With tips on setting boundaries, shifting habits, and fostering self-validation, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you break free from the cycle of people pleasing and become a more effective leader. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit corporatetherapy.substack.com [https://corporatetherapy.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]