Relationships at Work - a trust-driven leadership podcast
Relationships at Work - the leadership podcast helping you build workplace connection, improve culture, and avoid blind spots.
A relatable and honest show on leadership, organizational culture and soft skills, focusing on improving employee engagement and company culture to inspire people to apply, stay and thrive.
Because no one wants leadership that fosters toxic environments at work, nor should they.
Host, speaker and communications leader Russel Lolacher shares his experience and insights, discussing the leadership and corporate culture topics that matter with global experts help us with the success of our organizations (regardless of industry). This show will give you the information, education, strategies and tips you need to avoid leadership blind spots, better connect with all levels of our organization, and develop the necessary soft skills that are essential to every organization.
From leadership development and training to employee satisfaction to diversity, inclusivity, equity and belonging to personalization and engagement... there are so many aspects and opportunities to build great relationships at work
This is THE place to start and nurture our leadership journey and create an amazing workplace.
Episodes
383 episodes
When a Problem Isn’t a Challenge or An Opportunity
In this solo episode of Relationships at Work, host and leadership/communication expert Russel Lolacher explores why the words leaders use when things go wrong matter more than we think.A problem, challenge, and opportunity can ...
How Leaders Build Employee Buy-In
What makes employees truly buy into their work, their team, and their organization?In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher talks with business strategist, leadership coach, and author Dave Garrison ...
Risk Aversion Is Not a Leadership Strategy
In this solo episode of Relationships at Work, host and leadership expert Russel Lolacher explores the difference between risk aversion and risk awareness — and why playing it safe can quietly damage trust, engagement, innovation, and ...
What Nature Teaches Us About Leadership
What if better leadership isn’t found in management books, but in nature itself?In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher talks with executive coach and author Kelly Wendorf about what leaders can learn from...
Stop Saying Yes To Work Like It's Leadership
Saying yes isn’t leadership.In this episode, Russel Lolacher explores the hidden cost of constant agreement — and how it impacts your team’s capacity, priorities, and performance. Learn how to stay collaborative, set boundaries, and make...
Conscious Leadership Without Causing Harm
What does conscious leadership actually look like at work?In this episode, Russel Lolacher talks with coaches Trevor Stevenson and Dale Allen of Conscious Lead Life about self-awareness, triggers, power, and how leaders can show up with ...
I Don't Have To. I Get To.
A single phrase overheard on a podcast stopped Russel mid-step — and it's been on his desk ever since. In this episode, communications and leadership veteran Russel Lolacher explores how swapping two small words can shift you from f...
Why Most Leaders Get Motivation Wrong
What actually motivates people at work? In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel Lolacher talks with leadership advisor, researcher, and The Motivation Mix co-author James Root about why motivation isn’t on...
You Can Over-Communicate
We hear it all the time in leadership: “You can’t over-communicate.” But that’s not always true. In this solo episode of Relationships at Work, Russel Lolacher explores how too much communication can feel patronizing, overwhelming, or ...
Why Great Leadership Needs Better Systems
In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel Lolacher talks with Karl Staib, founder of Systematic Leader, about why leadership needs more than good intentions. They explore how better systems shape habits, improve communication, s...
Are You Measuring Leadership Wrong?
What if the way we measure leadership is completely off? In this solo episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher challenges the usual focus on KPIs, deadlines, and delivery—and asks what really matters. Trust, g...
When Internal Communication Breaks Down
In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel Lolacher speaks with Alejandra Ramirez, founder of Ready Cultures, about why internal communication often fails in organizations.They discuss how misaligned messaging damages workpl...
Leadership Meetings vs Management Meetings (And Why You Need Both)
Most meetings focus on tasks, updates, and deadlines. Others focus on people, growth, and trust. Both are necessary—but they serve very different purposes.In this solo episode of Relationships at Work, Russel Lolac...
You Get the Team You Deserve
Leaders often complain about their teams — disengaged employees, poor performance, difficult conversations.But what if the real issue isn’t the team?In this episode, Russel sits down with leadership expert David Dilger to explore ...
The Most Dangerous Leaders Don’t Look Dangerous
Some of the most damaging leaders aren’t the obvious tyrants. They’re the ones celebrated on stages, praised in boardrooms, and admired on LinkedIn.In this solo episode, Russel Lolacher explores how performative leadership can hide behin...
The Creative Power of Constructive Conflict
What if conflict isn’t the problem — but the engine of innovation?In this episode, innovation expert Jeff DeGraff joins Russel to explore why adaptability isn’t about reacting to change — it’s about embracing ambiguity, practicing parado...
Values Over Feelings in Leadership
Are you leading from values — or reacting to emotions? In this solo episode, Russel Lolacher explores why values must anchor workplace decisions, culture, and accountability. Empathy matters. But without clear values, leadership...
Toxic Positivity vs. Authentic Leadership
Is workplace positivity building trust — or masking real problems?In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel Lolacher sits down with author Johanna Laurent to unpack the difference between authentic positivity and the kind...
Stop Calling Yourself a People Leader
When did leadership stop being about people?The rise of the term “People Leader” sounds progressive — but it may reveal a deeper problem. If leadership needs a qualifier, something’s already broken.In this solo episode, Russel cha...
Building an Olympic Mindset at Work
What can leaders learn from Olympic athletes?Former cycling champion and high-performance coach Lee Povey breaks down why winning is out of your control — and why focusing on process, feedback, and adaptability is what truly drives perfo...
Really Investing in Your Team Isn’t Optional — It’s the Work
Putting time on a calendar isn’t investment. Sending a survey isn’t support.In this solo episode, Russel Lolacher challenges leaders to stop assuming and start asking: What does meaningful investment actually look like for my team?
Busy Is a Leadership Problem (Not a Badge of Honor)
In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel Lolacher sits down with leadership expert and author Kishshana Palmer to unpack why being “busy” has become one of the most damaging habits in modern leadership.They explor...
Talking Is Not Walking: When Leadership Mistakes Dialogue for Action
“Let’s start the conversation” has become a comfortable way for leaders to delay real change.In this R@W Note mini-episode, Host Russel Lolacher explores why talking about improvement isn’t the same as starting it — and how conver...