Relationships at Work - a trust-driven leadership podcast

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with author, speaker, CEO and empathy advocate Rob Volpe on the steps we can take to create a more empathetic workplace. Rob shares his thoughts and experience with... Types of empathy  Why we need a more empathetic workplace What gets in the way of empathy building The nature vs nurture understanding of having empathy Where to start when buil...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with transformation and culture change consultant Katie McLaughlin on why we need to introduce the principles and power of theatre into the employee experience. Katie shares her thoughts and experience with... What does theatre looks like as an engagement tool in the workplace How theatre can help employees be seen and heard The challenge of d...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with workplace culture consultant Erin Skillen on the importance of bringing and keeping humour and joy in the workplace. Erin shares her thoughts and experience with... Why is now a great time to focus on humour and joy The connection humour and joy have to mental health Where to find joy in the workplace The importance of psychological safet...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with 4x author, keynote speaker and consultant on service culture Jeff Toister on connecting the dots to create tangible employee engagement at work. Jeff shares his thoughts and experience with... The questions to ask to gauge if your employees are engaged Personalization's relationship to culture fit How metrics shouldn't be the ba...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with productivity expert and author Mike Vardy on our relationship with time management in the workplace and how we can look at it differently. Mike shares his thoughts and experience with... How productivity has changed with the pandemic Why "time management" is the wrong term The relationship between mindset and tactics  Who's...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with author and employee experience leader Stacy Sherman on the latest employee experience workforce trends your organization needs to watch and plan for in the years ahead. Stacy shares her thoughts and experience with... Current trends we may or may not be aware of. What is missing the mark for EX leadership and HR right now. Whether organiz...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with Executive Career Strategist Maureen McCann on taking the right steps for your career transition. Maureen shares her thoughts and experience with... How do you know when it's time for a career transition. What you need to have in place before you start looking for your next job. The importance of understanding your values to others. H...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with SaaS Head of Support and Training and emerging leader Reagan Helms on his experience in learning to lead by example. Reagan shares his thoughts and experience with... What it is to lead by example. As a new leader, where to look for examples of leadership. What are the words and actions that resonate with and inspire young leaders. What t...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with Senior Manager for Marketing Solutions at Linkedin Amber Naslund on Imposter Syndrome. As someone challenged by it, she shares what she's learned, what it feels like and how it shows up and how leadership can better support those with this issue. Amber shares her thoughts and experience with... Who generally suffers from Imposter Syn...

Relationships at Work presents Frontline Feedback - Stories from the Employee Journey. Host and storyteller Russel Lolacher shares the real story of Compassion So Counterfeit . In this inaugural tale, we’ll hear the story of Sally, one in which she shares a moment of an outreached hand and a possible safe space for vulnerability but it only leads to shattered confidence and inept leadership. We’ll...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with organizational consultants and compensation experts Crystal Henrickson and Annika Reinhardt on the role of compensation in professional development and workplace culture. Annika and Crystal share their thoughts and experience with... The various levels of compensation How compensation is determined in an organization How a job description...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with neurodivergent leader Doug Rabold on embracing neurodivergency in the workplace, what it might look like and its importance. Doug shares his thoughts and experience with... What neurodivergency is Typical misconceptions of neurodivergency How autism and neurodivergency can show up at work Why organizations should embrace neurodivergent le...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with leadership and culture coach Katie Rasoul on the importance of prioritizing belonging at work and what it looks like. Katie shares her thoughts and experience with... What belonging feels like at work How belonging is associated with DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) Why it's still challenging for organizations to talk about belongi...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with activist and IKEA Campaigns Manager Jessie MacNeil-Brown ( formally the head of Global Activism and Corporate Responsibility for the Body Shop and the Global Campaigns Manager for Amnesty International) on encouraging activism in employees improves the world and workplace. Jessie shares her thoughts and experience with... Are companies pr...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher chats with strategic HR manager and DEI corporate advocate Alexa Harris on being more intentional in our workplaces with diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging and what that looks like. Alexa shares her thoughts and experience with... Defining the difference between D, E, I and B What is most misunderstood in implementing DEI in an...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with Canada's first Chief Accessibility Officer Stephanie Cadieux on the importance and benefits of embracing an accessible workplace. Stephanie shares her thoughts and experience with... The definition of accessibility. What organizations are missing out on by not being accessible. Where to start for your organization. Where organization...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with workplace violence prevention advisor and consultant Felix Nater on the impacts of violence and non-violent behaviour in the workplace, its impact on culture and steps to avoid it. Felix shares his experience with... The definition of workplace violence How to approach it in your organization before it erupts The single most important ing...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with co-founder of the CX Accelerator and speaker Nate Brown on how to build community to benefit your employee experience in your industry.  Nate shares his experience with... the different types of networks the origins of the CX Accelerator network the differences between introverts and extroverts in building connections The benefits of crea...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with multi-time best selling author, researcher and international Hall of Fame speaker Eric Chester on the ingredients to an on fire workplace culture that solves the employee retention problem and improves employee engagement. Eric shares his experience with... The seven pillars for a great workplace culture How the "Golden Rule" ge...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with management consultant, executive coach and speaker Liz Kislik on the importance of compassion in the workplace. Liz shares her experience with... The difference between compassion and empathy How to be more compassionate Where compassion fits depending on your generation How workplace culture can benefit from compassion How we can foster...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with customer experience and employee experience advisors Dr. Robyn Petree-Guzman and Keith Kmett on how organization silos can be formed and the best approaches and benefits of removing them. Robyn and Keith share their experience with... how organizational silos can be created how vision and mission of a company relate to silos the importanc...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with technology service leader and speaker Brandon Caudle on the pros and cons of communication technology at work. Brandon shares his experience with... The types of communication platforms organizations can use How knowledge transfer and culture can benefit from communication technology The dark side of always being connected How to introduc...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with author and keynote speaker Gregg Ledermen on how being a good human through knowing your values and embracing your vulnerability can make you a better human leader at work. Gregg shares his experience with... The balance between results and humanity The importance of living your defined values Where followers fit in good leadership Why yo...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with Neal Dlin , founder and Chief Human Experience Officer of customer and employee experience consultancy Chorus Tree, on intention and action alignment at work, including how it can impact culture, the role of leadership and employees, and how curiosity can help.   Neal shares his experience and expertise on... The impacts of words not matc...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with author, speaker, coach and award-winning entrepreneur Vicki McLeod on speaking well in the workplace, either in-person or through technology. Vicki shares her experience and expertise on... Why speaking well is important. What speaking well (and not speaking well) looks like in the workplace. The importance of preparation, and its dark si...