Why do we spend so much of our lives at work, yet so rarely stop to ask how work shapes our identity?

In Episode 36 of Too Light Too Dark, Leon Eckford is joined once again by Simon Bennett, organisational coach and founder of Challenge Yourself, Kindly, for a thought-provoking exploration of workplace culture, leadership, identity, belonging and organisational psychology.

Together, they examine why culture is far more than policies or values written on a wall. Organisational culture is created through relationships, trust, healthy conflict and the everyday behaviours that either encourage people to flourish or slowly disengage.

Drawing on psychology, coaching and lived experience, Leon and Simon explore how identity at work, psychological safety, positive dissent, healthy leadership, emotional intelligence and belonging influence both individual wellbeing and organisational performance. They discuss why leaders must move beyond command-and-control thinking, embrace curiosity over certainty and create environments where difficult conversations become opportunities for growth rather than sources of fear.

This conversation sits firmly within the Identity & Transformation pillar of Too Light Too Dark, exploring how our relationship with work shapes our sense of self, purpose and meaning, and how healthier organisations begin with more self-aware leaders.

Whether you're a leader, manager, HR professional, coach or someone navigating your own career, this episode offers practical insights into creating healthier workplaces while challenging how we think about success, identity and human connection.

• Workplace culture
• Leadership development
• Identity at work
• Organisational psychology
• Psychological safety
• Positive dissent
• Emotional intelligence
• Belonging and inclusion
• Healthy workplace culture
• Organisational coaching
• Team dynamics
• High-performing teams
• Leadership mindset
• Self-awareness
• Organisational change
• Employee wellbeing
• Trust and accountability
• Systems thinking
• Reflective leadership

🌐 Too Light Too Dark
https://www.toolighttoodark.com

Learn more about the podcast, browse every episode and subscribe to the newsletter for updates and exclusive content.

🤝 Challenge Yourself, Kindly – Simon Bennett

Discover Simon's coaching, leadership development and organisational consultancy through Challenge Yourself, Kindly, supporting individuals and organisations to build healthier workplace cultures through reflection, compassion and courageous conversations.

https://challengeyourselfkindly.com

📧 Feedback & enquiries

contact@toolighttoodark.com

If this conversation resonated with you, we'd love to hear your thoughts. Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with someone passionate about leadership, psychology or creating better workplaces.

Stay gold, stay curious and stay connected.