Relationships at Work - a trust-driven leadership podcast

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with coach, speaker, author Lyndsay Dowd on what it takes to inspire employees from the C-Suite of an organization. Lyndsay shares her experience and insights on... Inspiration comes from empowerment, not micromanagement. Tailoring leadership through listening. Power of vulnerability and transparency. Listening tours build trust and insight. C...

It's the last week of Russel's vacation away to celebrate his 50th birthday, so we make one more stop into the Relationships at Work archives. In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with academic and best-selling author Hamza Khan on the importance of reinventing leadership to improve the workplace and the employee experience. Hamza shares his insights and experience in.....

It's week two (of three) of Russel's vacation away to celebrate his 50th birthday, so we dig once again into the Relationships at Work archives. 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 insights and experience in... The...

While Russel is off celebrating his 50th birthday, we dig into the Relationships at Work archives. In this episode, Russel chats with author, speaker and age inclusivity advocate Patti Temple Rocks on ageism in the workplace, what it looks like and how to address it. Patti shares her insights and experience with: What is ageism and being ageist in the workplace How ageism can impact mental health...

In this episode, host Russel Lolacher tackles  the pervasive issue of "checked-box leadership" in leadership training — when organizations send employees to leadership programs without a strategic plan for continued growth.  Education and professional development are vital, but without follow-up, support, and real opportunities to apply new skills, they become wasted efforts. We'll...

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Roberta Matuson —keynote speaker, executive coach, and author of seven influential books on leadership and talent management, including "Can We Talk? Seven Principles for Managing Difficult Conversations at Work" and the latest edition of "Suddenly in Charge: Managing Up, Managing Down, Succeeding All Around." With nearly 30 years o...

In this episode of Relationships at Work , host Russel Lolacher shares key insights and observations about one of the most common challenges in the workplace—employees feeling undervalued.  We highlight the critical signs leaders should be aware of, from disengagement to burnout, and offer practical steps to address these issues. Join us as we explore how to create a culture where every team membe...

In this episode of Relationships at Work , host Russel Lolacher sits down with Morgan Williams, co-founder and CEO of Peak HR, and founder of MWHR Consulting, to discuss the growing disconnect between executives and employees in today’s workplace.  Drawing on her extensive experience in HR, psychology, and conflict management, Morgan dives into the real reasons behind the widening gap—post-pandemi...

In this episode, we dive into the concept of moral imagination as an antidote to the arrogant assumptions that can easily creep into leadership. Inspired by Jacqueline Novogratz's book Manifesto For A Moral Revolution , we explore how leaders can envision a more just and inclusive future by embracing humility, empathy, and authenticity. We'll discuss practical steps for developing moral...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with COO and entrepreneur Matt Verlaque on the necessity of stay interviews for the health of your organization. Matt shares his experience and insights on... Stay interviews assess personal and professional fulfillment Candid communication builds strong teams. Frequent one-on-ones create continual growth opportunities. Frequent feedback preve...

We’ve hit a major milestone—200 episodes! Since launching Relationships at Work in January 2022, it's been an incredible journey, evolving from a weekly interview show to twice-a-week episodes, including mini solo episodes every Thursday. Whether you've listened, watched, or supported us through this newsletter, thank you! In this special episode, I reflect on some of the most important...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, we celebrate the 200th episode of the show. To mark the occasion, Russel invites back former guests and a few listeners to share their personal experiences with the work relationships that have shaped their leadership journeys. We ask these experts three questions and learn so much from their answers. What is the most impactful work relationship you'v...

In leadership, even the best-intentioned among us can fall into the trap of making assumptions, often without realizing it. This week, we’re diving into a common leadership pitfall: the arrogant assumption. Inspired by Jacqueline Novogratz's Manifesto for a Moral Revolution , I explore how these assumptions can impact our teams, business relationships, and organizational culture. From dismiss...

In this episode of Relationships at Work , Russel Lolacher welcomes leadership and employee strategist Marc Haine to dive deep into one of the most important but overlooked aspects of leadership: guiding your team through their employee journey.  Marc shares personal stories and invaluable insights on why leaders must shift from being mere managers to becoming true coaches, supporting their team a...

Is the traditional leadership culture broken? In this episode, we explore the fractured state of leadership from the executive level to emerging leaders. Learn why organizations reward productivity over people skills and discover how leaders at every level can take control and redefine what leadership truly means for a thriving workplace culture. Empower yourself to become the leader your team nee...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with executive coach, author, and international speaker Michele Molitor on avoiding the dangers of pursuing perfection as leaders. Michele shares her insights and experience on... Perfection is personal and subjective. Embracing imperfections is healthier. Perfectionism as a trauma response. Striving for excellence vs. toxic perfectionism. Vul...

Are you tired of surface-level solutions to deep-seated workplace issues?  In this episode, we dive into why traditional reactions like reprimanding a bad boss or throwing pizza lunches at disengaged employees only address symptoms, not the disease. Discover how focusing on root causes—like toxic cultures, poor management practices, and systemic flaws—can lead to genuine, lasting change. We’ll exp...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with senior instructor and principle at Bold Type consultancy Grace Aldridge Foster on how leaders can be more impactful writers and build connection with their teams. Grace shares her insights and experience with... Thoughtful communication in leadership writing. Writing as a model for expectations. Audience awareness is essential The ART too...

In a world where leaders often feel pressured to have all the answers, it’s easy to fall into the trap of faking it. But what if the real power of leadership lies in admitting when you don't know?  In this episode, we tackle the toxic advice many leaders receive—lie if you don’t know—and why embracing vulnerability is the key to building genuine trust. Discover practical steps for handling th...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with author, speaker and former pro athlete Dre Baldwin on the benefits of having a sports philosophy when engaging a team in the workplace. Dre shares his insights and experience on... Team dynamics mirror sports teams. Caution against "family" culture. The role of competition in the workplace and driving performance. Sports mentali...

Before you can build the work culture you envision, do you truly understand the culture you have now? In this episode of Relationships at Work , we explore the importance of taking a hard look at your current organizational environment before setting future goals. Using real-life examples, we discuss why leaders often fail to transform their teams and how tools like employee surveys, cultural audi...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with author, mayor and lawyer Ukeme Awakessien Jeter on the importance of embracing immigrant leadership in the workplace. Ukeme shares her insights and experience in... The unique leadership skills of immigrants. Intersectionality in DEI and bias. ImmiGrit as a concept. Transformative resilience over traditional resilience. Positional leaders...

How can new leaders earn trust from day one? In this episode of Relationships at Work , host and leadership expert Russel Lolacher dives into the importance of honoring past legacies when joining a team. Whether you're stepping into a new role or leading an established group, understanding the history behind their successes and challenges is key to effective leadership. Russel shares practica...

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with author, keynote speaker, research and success coach Simon Bailey on what it takes for leadership resilience and brilliance. Simon shares his insights and experience in... Resilience is a double-edged sword. Brilliance is a necessary compliment to resilience in leadership. Generational differences in resilience and emotional expression. Hy...

What happens when leaders do nothing? In this episode, host Russel Lolacher exposes the silent damage caused by leadership inaction and its profound impact on workplace culture. Though it is often said that work culture is the sum of words said and actions taken, it is actually missing the bigger picture. Inaction has as much impact on our workplace, with devastating results.  Russel shares real w...