Relationships at Work - a trust-driven leadership podcast

In this mini-episode of Relationships at Work , host Russel Lolacher dives into a tough but necessary conversation—why organizations need to stop passing the buck on bad leadership. Russel explores the hidden dangers of shifting problematic leaders to new roles without accountability, the ripple effects on workplace culture, and how teams often feel forced to "recommend" toxic leaders ju...

In this episode of Relationships at Work , Danielle Smeltzer, founder and CEO of Awarely Embodied Leadership, dives deep into the transformative power of trauma-informed leadership. She challenges conventional leadership narratives, revealing how emotions—like stress and even anger—serve as vital signals from our nervous system, not weaknesses to suppress. Danielle explains why curiosity is the co...

New ideas need curiosity, not immediate criticism. As leaders, our role isn’t to shut down innovation but to guide and refine it.  In this episode, we explore how the right questions can turn ideas into opportunities, while the wrong mindset can stifle progress. Learn how to shift from assumptions and dismissiveness to curiosity and engagement—building a culture where ideas thrive, and teams feel...

Culture isn’t just a set of values on a website—it’s the daily actions, behaviors, and processes that shape how an organization truly operates.  In this episode of Relationships at Work , host Russel Lolacher sits down with Garrett Delph, founder and CEO of Clarity Ops, to dive deep into how to operationalize culture in a way that actually works. Garrett shares: ✔️ Why most companies fail at cultu...

What’s your leadership style? It’s a common question, but the real answer shouldn’t be just one.  In this episode of Relationships at Work , host Russel Lolacher challenges the idea of rigid leadership styles and explains why adaptability is key to leading effectively. Different situations call for different approaches—whether it’s authoritative leadership in a crisis, transactional leadership for...

Fear, hesitation, and resistance—why do so many leaders struggle with DEI?  In this episode of Relationships at Work , host Russel Lolacher sits down with Toby Mildon , diversity and inclusion architect and author of Inclusive Growth , to break down the misconceptions, challenges, and real business benefits of embedding DEI into workplace culture. Toby shares insights on: ✔️ The biggest fears lead...

Many leaders believe they’re fostering critical thinking and empowerment when they say, “Don’t come to me with problems, come to me with solutions.” But in reality, this approach can stifle innovation, discourage vulnerability, and create barriers between leaders and their teams. In this episode of Relationships at Work , we explore why this mindset is flawed and how it can unintentionally harm wo...

Confidence in leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about knowing when you don’t.  In this episode of Relationships at Work , Bill Lennan, leadership consultant and founder of 40 Percent Better , breaks down what true leadership confidence looks like, how mental models shape our ability to lead, and why vulnerability is a trust-builder, not a weakness. We also discuss how confident le...

Quiet quitting isn’t just an employee behavior—it’s something leaders have been unknowingly doing for years. In this episode of Relationships at Work , we explore what happens when leaders disengage, doing only the minimum required without investing in their teams, vision, or culture. We focus on practical steps to help leaders stay engaged: reconnecting with purpose, setting clear goals, building...

In this episode of Relationships at Work , Russel Lolacher dives into relationship-building hacks with Susan Ireland, executive leadership coach and co-founder of Seasons Leadership. Susan reveals her proven strategies for strengthening workplace connections, including her "inside-out" and "outside-in" approaches to building trust and confidence. From small tweaks that boost ho...

As leaders, how often do we pause to define success—not for our organizations or teams, but for ourselves?  In this episode, we explore the deeply personal nature of success and the critical questions leaders must ask to align their actions with their values. From building team culture to balancing productivity and people, we dive into the trade-offs leaders face and the impact of their choices. T...

In this episode of Relationships at Work , we dive deep into the transformative power of mindset with Lisa Sharapata, Chief Marketing Officer at the Arbinger Institute.  Lisa shares her insights on how leadership mindset drives behavior, shapes organizational culture, and creates lasting impact. From the power of vulnerability and self-awareness to fostering psychological safety, Lisa explains the...

Ever felt like you’re "babysitting" your team instead of leading them? You’re not alone. Many leaders hit a point of frustration, but that feeling is a signal—an opportunity for reflection and growth.  In this episode, we explore why some leaders feel this way, what it says about their leadership approach, and, most importantly, how to shift from micromanaging to mentoring. Learn actiona...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with strengths and development coach Anna Nelson on the importance of knowing our leadership strengths and weakness and its benefit to our teams. Anna shares her thoughts and insights on... Strengths are what energize you, not just what you're good at. We can learn skills, but that doesn't make them strengths. Recognizing strengths a...

Leaders often fall into the trap of short-term thinking, sacrificing employee growth and trust for immediate results.  In this episode, we dive into why being "too busy" is no excuse for neglecting your team’s long-term potential. Discover how quick fixes can backfire, leading to turnover, disengagement, and a toxic culture—and explore the transformative power of intentional, strategic l...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with talent futurist and keynote speaker Alynn Bailey on why managers don't know how to hire, and how to help them. Allyn shares her insights and experience with... Empathy and first impressions are crucial. The hiring process is highly complex and often improvised. Consistency in assessment is essential but rare. Accountability in hiring...

In this episode, we explore the all-too-common leadership failure of undervaluing dedicated employees and their workloads. Inspired by a personal story of one woman who carried an unsustainable workload without recognition or support, we learn what happens when leadership waits for employees to quit before addressing systemic issues. We’ll discuss actionable strategies for leaders to assess worklo...

In this episode of Relationships at Work , Russel Lolacher sits down with Dr. Sam Adeyemi, CEO of Dr. Sam Adeyemi GLC, global leadership consultant, and author of Shifts: Six Steps to Transform Your Mindset and Elevate Your Leadership . Together, they tackle the myths of innovation and explore what it truly takes to lead transformative change. Sam shares insights on why innovation isn’t about crea...

Change is exciting, but it’s also challenging—especially when leaders aim to create a new culture without understanding the one they’ve inherited. In this episode, we explore a story of leadership missteps and their lessons, featuring a tale of two Prime Ministers and the impact of mismatched visions and teams. We’ll discuss how leaders can bridge the gap between the culture they envision and the...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with keynote speaker and author Chris Dyer on the steps leaders need to take to foster high-performing cultures. Chris shares his insights and experience with.... High-performing cultures require intentionality High-performing cultures do not equate to overworking employees. Proactive leadership is required and should focus on removing obstacl...

Are Gen Z’s workplace demands really the problem, or is it leadership's resistance to change?  In this episode, we break down common stereotypes about Gen Z and reveal how adaptability, transparency, and inclusivity can transform generational challenges into opportunities for growth. Maybe the real question isn’t about them—it’s about us. And connect with me for more great content! Sign Up fo...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with speaker, author and DEI consultant Sara Taylor on how to shift our unconscious bias filters. Sara shares her insights and experience with key takeaways: Unconscious filters control most decisions and behaviors. Disconnect between intent and impact in workplace interactions. Bias isn't just negative—it can also be positive. Leaders se...

In this episode, we dive into the hidden dangers of the "working leader" mindset and its impact on organizations.  Why do so many leaders get bogged down in tasks, leaving no space for strategy, vision, or empathy? We explore how this approach leads to burnout, inefficiency, and short-term thinking—and what organizations can do to redefine leadership for long-term success.  Tune in for p...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with CEO and author Chris King on embracing humility as a leader and crafting an ego-free culture for your employees. Chris shares her insights and experience with... Success is a team effort. Humility drives growth. Leveraging individual strengths, not titles. Humility is key to team building. Connecting individual contributions to the broade...

Leadership is messy because leaders are human.  In this episode, we explore how to navigate the inevitable disappointments of leadership—whether as the one leading or the one being led. From missed expectations to tough decisions, we'll unpack why these moments happen, how to build trust through self-awareness and accountability, and how to foster understanding and compassion for the leaders...