Relationships at Work - a trust-driven leadership podcast – Details, episodes & analysis
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Relationships at Work - a trust-driven leadership podcast
Russel Lolacher
Frequency: 1 episode/4d. Total Eps: 380
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.
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See allScore global : 52%
Publication history
Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.
The Creative Power of Constructive Conflict
Episode 351
lundi 2 mars 2026 • Duration 56:09
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 paradox, and creating constructive conflict inside your teams.
They discuss:
- Why over-alignment kills innovation
- The difference between reacting and adaptive thinking
- How small experiments build momentum
- Why culture isn’t a “thing” — it’s how leaders lead
- The role of vision in holding chaos together
If you’re leading through uncertainty, AI disruption, or organizational tension, this conversation reframes how real innovation actually happens.
Hey! If you're enjoying the insights from our guests, you'll love our R@W Notes Newsletter. It’s packed with guest takeaways, the resources that inspire them, and my own tips on how we as leaders can be better humans for the humans the are responsible for. Go to RelationshipsAtWorkShow.com and Subscribe Now and help the workplace be more human.
Want more from our conversations on the show? Subscribe to the R@W Notes Newsletter! It’s where I share top takeaways from our guests, the resources that fuel their success, and my personal insights on how we as leaders more human. And we need more human.
Go to RelationshipsAtWorkShow.com and Sign up today to keep your leadership journey on the right path.
And connect with me for more great content!
Values Over Feelings in Leadership
Episode 350
vendredi 27 février 2026 • Duration 10:16
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 becomes mood management.
And connect with me for more great content!
When Job Fit Fails ADHD at Work
Episode 341
lundi 26 janvier 2026 • Duration 59:21
ADHD in the workplace is often framed as a performance issue — but what if the real problem is job fit?
In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel Lolacher sits down with ADHD career coach Shell Mendelson to unpack why capable, skilled ADHD employees struggle in roles that were never designed for how they think, focus, and work.
Together, they explore why performance improvement plans miss the point, how workplace expectations quietly erode confidence, and why creativity and innovation only show up under the right conditions. This conversation challenges leaders to stop pathologizing behavior and start examining environments — and helps ADHD professionals better understand when a role is working against them.
If you’re a leader trying to support neurodivergent employees, or someone with ADHD questioning whether work “just isn’t clicking,” this episode offers clarity without clichés.
Hey! If you're enjoying the insights from our guests, you'll love our R@W Notes Newsletter. It’s packed with guest takeaways, the resources that inspire them, and my own tips on how we as leaders can be better humans for the humans the are responsible for. Go to RelationshipsAtWorkShow.com and Subscribe Now and help the workplace be more human.
Want more from our conversations on the show? Subscribe to the R@W Notes Newsletter! It’s where I share top takeaways from our guests, the resources that fuel their success, and my personal insights on how we as leaders more human. And we need more human.
Go to RelationshipsAtWorkShow.com and Sign up today to keep your leadership journey on the right path.
And connect with me for more great content!
Why Great Leaders Rely on Nuance—Not Just Labels Like 'Toxic'
Episode 259
jeudi 29 mai 2025 • Duration 08:50
It’s easy to label. It’s harder to understand.
“Our culture is toxic.”
“That leader is horrible.”
“This system is broken.”
But are they? Or are we missing the nuance and context that give us the real story?
In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher challenges the rise of black-and-white thinking in leadership and workplace culture. He explores how embracing nuance and context isn't just helpful—it's essential for meaningful, human-centered leadership.
With real-world examples and actionable strategies, you’ll learn:
- Why binary thinking breaks down effective leadership.
- How to ask better questions before making assumptions.
- What situational awareness actually looks like in practice.
This episode is a call to leaders to get curious, stay present, and stop letting oversimplified narratives drive decision-making.
Because great leadership doesn’t live in absolutes. It lives in the grey.
And connect with me for more great content!
Old World Wisdom for Modern Leadership w/ Fabrice Desmarescaux
Episode 258
mardi 27 mai 2025 • Duration 52:19
In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher welcomes Fabrice Desmarescaux — McKinsey partner, leadership advisor, and author of The Art of Retreats — to explore how ancient wisdom can help solve very modern leadership challenges.
Fabrice draws from a range of traditions, from Eastern philosophies like Taoism and Buddhism to Western teachings and monastic practices, to show how leaders can reconnect with purpose, presence, and clarity in a fast-paced, performance-driven world.
💬 Topics discussed include:
- Why short-term thinking is eroding leadership impact
- How retreats create space for connection and insight
- The role of mindfulness, reflection, and solitude in leadership
- Applying ancient principles without bringing religion into the workplace
- A simple mindset check that can shift any leadership interaction
🗣️ “Everything I write about in the book is, as I said, 2000 or 3000 years old for the most part.” – Fabrice Desmarescaux
Whether you're leading a team or leading yourself, this episode offers a grounded, universal lens to rethink how we show up at work.
Hey! If you're enjoying the insights from our guests, you'll love our R@W Notes Newsletter. It’s packed with guest takeaways, the resources that inspire them, and my own tips on how we as leaders can be better humans for the humans the are responsible for. Go to RelationshipsAtWorkShow.com and Subscribe Now and help the workplace be more human.
And connect with me for more great content!
Workhuman LIVE Insights on Leadership, DEI, AI, and Resiliency
Episode 257
jeudi 22 mai 2025 • Duration 18:59
At Workhuman LIVE, experts and thought leaders shared practical insights on the future of work—uncovering hidden potential, redefining psychological safety, and building resilient teams equipped for change.
In this episode of Relationships at Work, I break down the biggest takeaways across leadership, DEI, artificial intelligence, and resiliency. Learn how brave spaces challenge comfort, why AI demands clean data, and how true resilience is built through preparation and growth.
Discover insights that will help you lead with purpose and transform your workplace culture. Tune in.
And connect with me for more great content!
The Lost Art of Handwritten Leadership w/ Amy Weinland Daughters
Episode 256
mardi 20 mai 2025 • Duration 39:27
In this episode of Relationships at Work, we’re diving into the almost-forgotten power of handwritten communication with Amy Weinland Daughters, award-winning author of Dear Dana and passionate advocate for intentional connection.
Amy shares how a simple handwritten note can redefine relationships in the workplace, cutting through the noise of digital communication to create moments that are tangible, memorable, and deeply personal. We explore how these small gestures of appreciation can override mistakes, build trust, and even boost retention, all with just a pen and a few minutes of time.
Discover why handwritten notes are more than just ink on paper—they are symbols of care, recognition, and leadership that last far beyond the moment they're received.
🔹 In This Episode:
- Why handwritten notes have more impact than emails or Slack messages
- How vulnerability in handwriting deepens trust and connection
- Overcoming fear of imperfection when writing notes
- Practical tips to make handwritten notes part of your leadership style
If you want to stand out as a leader who truly cares, you might just find your next powerful tool…in a pen.
Would you like me to craft a LinkedIn and Instagram promo post for this episode as well?
Hey! If you're enjoying the insights from our guests, you'll love our R@W Notes Newsletter. It’s packed with guest takeaways, the resources that inspire them, and my own tips on how we as leaders can be better humans for the humans the are responsible for. Go to RelationshipsAtWorkShow.com and Subscribe Now and help the workplace be more human.
And connect with me for more great content!
Talking Isn’t Doing: Why Leadership Needs More Than Words
Episode 255
jeudi 15 mai 2025 • Duration 07:38
We’ve all heard it before—promises of change, assurances of action, and commitments to improvement from leaders. But too often, words are mistaken for progress.
In this episode of Relationships at Work, we’re diving into the dangerous gap between talking and doing in leadership. When leaders say, "We’re working on it," but nothing changes, trust erodes, and relationships suffer. We explore real-world scenarios like resolving workload issues, addressing toxic behavior, and improving feedback loops, and we provide actionable steps leaders can take to ensure their words match their actions. Because in leadership, talking isn’t enough—doing is what matters.
And connect with me for more great content!
Systemizing Inclusion for Lasting Change w/ Inclusion Strategist Amri B. Johnson
Episode 254
mardi 13 mai 2025 • Duration 49:41
In this episode of Relationships at Work, I sit down with Amri B. Johnson, executive advisor, organizational consultant, and founder of Inclusion Wins, to explore what it truly means to systemize inclusion. We break down his Emergent Inclusion System—an approach that goes beyond checkboxes and surface-level DEI initiatives to create lasting, impactful change in the workplace.
Amri shares how organizations can operationalize inclusion through everyday practices, empowering skilled operators to carry the message forward, and building resilience that strengthens through adversity. We also discuss the importance of cultural intelligence, accountability through action—not just mandates—and how real inclusion is built into the DNA of how we work, lead, and connect.
If you're looking to understand how to make inclusion sustainable, actionable, and transformative, this episode is your blueprint.
Listen now and discover:
- How inclusion systems create lasting impact
- The role of cultural intelligence in driving change
- Practical ways to operationalize inclusion daily
- Why accountability is a shared, ongoing process
Join us as we reimagine what inclusion can—and should—be.
Hey! If you're enjoying the insights from our guests, you'll love our R@W Notes Newsletter. It’s packed with guest takeaways, the resources that inspire them, and my own tips on how we as leaders can be better humans for the humans the are responsible for. Go to RelationshipsAtWorkShow.com and Subscribe Now and help the workplace be more human.
And connect with me for more great content!
Expectation vs. Reality: Leading When Leadership Is Missing
Episode 253
jeudi 8 mai 2025 • Duration 10:46
When we show up to work, we bring expectations—with how we’ll be treated, how we’ll grow, and how we’ll be led. But what happens when the person responsible for our development… isn’t really a leader at all? In this solo episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher unpacks the frustration that comes when leadership expectations crash into the reality of untrained, unresponsive supervisors. He offers tangible advice for how employees can lead up when support is lacking—and how real leaders can better manage the expectations placed on them by staying curious and communicative. Because not every manager is a leader, but every leader has the opportunity to rise to the challenge.
And connect with me for more great content!
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