Relationships at Work - a trust-driven leadership podcast

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...

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...

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 tan...

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 exp...

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 org...

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 superviso...

What does it mean to be a neuro-fit leader?  In this episode of Relationships at Work , host Russel Lolacher is joined by trauma-sensitive, polyvagal-informed leadership and neuro coach Mallory Meyer to unpack the real power of nervous system regulation in leadership. Together, they explore why leaders can’t think their way to better leadership — they have to feel it. Mallory shares how neuro-fitn...

After 250 episodes of exploring leadership, workplace culture, and the human side of work, certain truths just won’t stay quiet.  In this solo episode, host Russel Lolacher reflects on the six most consistent, hard-earned lessons that keep showing up — no matter the industry, the title, or the team. From the emotional impact of leadership to the systems that silently shape it, these are the truths...

urpose isn’t a poster on the wall — it’s an everyday practice.  In this episode of Relationships at Work , Dr. Alise Cortez joins Russel Lolacher to explore how leaders can move beyond surface-level engagement and truly ignite meaning, connection, and inspiration in the workplace. Drawing from her research in logotherapy, workplace meaning, and leadership development, Alise shares:  ✅ Why leaders...

We’ve all heard the classic career question: “What’s your five-year plan?”  But in this episode of Relationships at Work , host Russel Lolacher flips it on its head—asking leaders to consider their five-year plan for their employees. Why? Because true leadership isn’t reactive—it’s intentional, strategic, and supportive. Russel explores how leaders can align employee growth with organizational goa...

What if the way we talk about work is limiting how we lead it? In this episode of Relationships at Work , host Russel Lolacher sits down with Graham Abbey—Chief Executive of Farleigh Performance and Professor in Practice at the University of Bristol Business School—for a deep dive into complexity in today’s organizations. From metaphors that reveal our worldview to the mechanical mindset still dom...

Caring makes you a better leader. But what happens when it starts to hurt? In this solo episode of Relationships at Work , host Russel Lolacher explores the emotional toll of leadership when we care too much . While empathy and passion can strengthen our connection with teams, they can also lead to burnout, blurred boundaries, and frustration—especially when others don’t seem to care as much. Russ...

In this episode of Relationships at Work , host Russel Lolacher sits down with Derrick Mains — speaker, consultant, and CEO of The Process Fixer — to dive into the power of building human-centered systems at work. Derrick shares why most businesses are unintentionally designed for failure, the hidden costs of command-and-control leadership, and how shifting from goals to aims can unlock unpreceden...

You’ve defined your values. But are you still living them — or just assuming you are? In this episode of Relationships at Work , we unpack the overlooked side of values in leadership. Not the usual “define your top five” — but the deeper, messier question of alignment. Are your values still showing up in how you lead, decide, and interact? Or have they quietly drifted out of sync with your environ...

In this episode of Relationships at Work , Russel chats with Sean Vassilaros, CEO and co-founder of Kanny, about what’s missing from hiring—and it’s not experience or skills. It’s character . Sean dives deep into how character—not personality—drives behavior, shapes culture, and ultimately determines long-term success in the workplace. He shares why traditional hiring tools like resumes and refere...

In this episode, we explore the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways curiosity gets shut down in organizations—and the cultural cost of those missed questions. From assumptions that mask deeper issues to leadership habits that stifle innovation, Russel digs into how curiosity impacts employee retention, decision-making, and growth. You’ll hear real-world examples, warning signs to watch for, and practi...

In this episode of Relationships at Work , host Russel Lolacher sits down with renowned business philosopher and bestselling author Anders Indset to unpack the leadership philosophy behind his book The Viking Code: The Art and Science of Norwegian Success . Anders explores how the values rooted in Norwegian culture have shaped a new model of leadership—where individual excellence and collective su...

As leaders, we often talk about the power of curiosity—but what happens when that curiosity is turned on us ?  In this episode of Relationships at Work , host Russel Lolacher explores what it really means to be open to questions, pushback, and challenges from our teams. This isn’t about ego—it’s about emotional intelligence, active listening, and building a culture where curiosity is welcomed in a...

Leadership isn't about checking boxes — it's about showing up with intention, clarity, and connection. In this episode of Relationships at Work , Russel chats with Pete Steinberg — executive coach, speaker, former national rugby coach, and author of Leadership Shock — to explore the real work behind authentic leadership. Pete challenges the myths around “bringing your full self to work,”...

Retention is often seen as an elusive workplace metric, but what if it wasn’t?  In this episode of Relationships at Work , Russel Lolacher shares his firsthand experience of leading and retaining the same team for 12 years. He dives into the framework that made it possible—P.E.R.F.O.R.M.—a leadership approach grounded in personal connection, empowerment, and meaningful work. Learn why retention is...

Respect isn’t just a workplace buzzword—it’s the foundation of trust, engagement, and culture. Yet, too many leaders overlook its impact, mistaking civility for true respect.  In this episode, Dr. Gena Cox joins Russel Lolacher to break down why respect is the missing piece in leadership, how it directly affects employee engagement, and why HR isn’t responsible for fixing workplace culture—leaders...

A vision and mission statement should be more than just corporate wallpaper—they should inspire, align, and drive meaningful action. Yet, most employees can’t even recall theirs.  In this episode of Relationships at Work , we dive into why so many organizations treat vision and mission as checkboxes rather than powerful tools for motivation and strategy. We explore what makes a great vision and mi...

In this thought-provoking episode of Relationships at Work , host Russel Lolacher sits down with Nigel Thurlow , co-creator of The Flow System and former Chief of Agile at Toyota , to break down the hidden dangers of how we incentivize leadership. We discuss:  ✔️ How financial incentives can backfire and create toxic leadership  ✔️ The difference between responsibility and accountability in leader...

Every job is a communication job. Every leader is a communicator—whether they realize it or not. But too often, organizations mistake speaking at people for real communication.  In this episode, we break down the difference between broadcasting information and fostering true understanding. Drawing from insights on leadership, engagement, and workplace culture, we explore how great leaders ensure t...

Leaders often think relationships are built on instincts, but what if they’re actually built on systems?  In this episode, executive and leadership coach Trevor Timbeck challenges the idea that relationship-building is purely emotional or intuitive. Instead, he breaks down how intentional systems—like structured feedback loops, proactive communication, and even remembering birthdays—can create str...