Demystifying Company Culture and Getting Real About Better Workplaces Episode #6

In this series of episodes on Our Agile Tales, we’re getting radically honest about company culture with Lizzie Benton—culture coach, founder of Liberty Mind, and one of the most refreshingly candid voices in the world of modern work.

Let’s face it: “culture” has become a buzzword. It’s often pitched as a magic bullet for success, but most organizations still struggle to define it—let alone get it right. In this series, Lizzie helps us move beyond the platitudes. She unpacks what culture actually is, why so many transformations fall flat, and what it really takes to build a workplace where both people and business can thrive.

We’ll explore the tools and mindsets that matter, and dig into the uncomfortable truths that often get overlooked.

In this episode:

In this episode of Our Agile Tales, we continue our conversation with Lizzie Benton, where she shares insights on integrating company culture with sustainability, embedding continuous learning, and fostering employee engagement and retention. She also explores innovative approaches to pay, promotions, and the ongoing debate of remote vs. hybrid work environments. Providing examples from progressive organizations, Lizzie illustrates the importance of co-creation, psychological safety, and empathetic feedback in building adaptable and thriving workplaces.

• 00:00 Introduction 
• 02:03 The Importance of Sustainability in Company Culture
• 04:27 Embedding Continuous Learning in Company Culture
• 07:23 The Role of Professional Development in Employee Engagement
• 10:02 Progressive Companies: Pay and Promotions in Flatter Organizations
• 16:41 Remote vs. Hybrid Work: Co-Creating the Best Environment
• 23:44 Ensuring Accountability Without Carrots and Sticks
• 29:04 Conclusion

About Lizzie Benton:

Lizzie is a culture coach and the founder of Liberty Mind. She helps companies evolve beyond bureaucratic structures toward more human-centered, purpose-driven workplaces. She’s worked across industries—from tech to charities to construction—always with a focus on unlocking human potential and helping teams co-create meaningful change.

Her approach blends depth and practicality, rooted in progressive practices like self-management, Liberating Structures, and Teal principles. Lizzie is a certified Holacracy Practitioner, Semco Style Expert, and TuffLeadership coach. She’s been named one of the top 30 millennials changing the world of work and has been featured in Forbes, The Metro, and The Financial Times.

Visit us at https://www.ouragiletales.com/about