In this episode of Work’s Not Working… Let’s Fix It!, Siân Harrington sits down with Steven D’Souza – award-winning educator, executive coach and senior partner at Korn Ferry – to explore a question few leaders dare to ask: what if the problem isn’t our systems or strategies… but ourselves?

Because as Steven explains, every leader carries a “shadow” – the unseen habits, fears and defences that quietly shape decisions, relationships and culture. When ignored, these shadows can derail even the smartest leaders. When understood, they can become a source of wisdom, empathy and real change.

Drawing on psychology, biology, culture and meaning, Steven reveals how our past shows up in the present – from childhood messages that still drive our behaviour, to toxic corporate patterns that reward overconfidence and silence feedback.

Together, we unpack:

Why strength under stress so often becomes a weakness in disguise
How organisational cultures create their own “blind spots” and ethical drift
What leaders can do to confront their shadow and build healthier, more human workplaces.

Key Takeaways

Every leader has a shadow – the part they suppress or deny – and it always shows up at work.
Most derailment isn’t about incompetence but about unexamined patterns under stress.
Toxic culture thrives when leaders reward results and ignore behaviour.
Emotional literacy, self-awareness and courage to receive feedback are core leadership skills.
The future of leadership isn’t perfection – it’s wholeness: knowing both your shadow and your light.

Whether you’re a CEO, manager or HR leader this episode will change how you think about leadership maturity and what it really means to be whole at work.

Interested in insights about people leadership, HR and the future of work?
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