Relationships at Work - a trust-driven leadership podcast
Russel Lolacher
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 workThis is THE place to start and nurture our leadership journey and create an amazing workplace.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 27, 2025 • 11min
How Leadership Can Stop Investing in Cultural Debt
Originally released: June, 2024In this episode of Relationships at Work, communications and leadership nerd (and host) Russel Lolacher discusses the causes and answers to cultural debt.Technical debt is a common term in software development to explain growing issues caused by not properly addressing problems. By only implementing "band-aid" solutions, the root problems only continue to grow and fester. Cultural debt is the same in that organizational issues unaddressed or avoided, will just poison the company little by little over time until it's not something that can be fixed anymore. Russel provides examples of how we invest in cultural debt and the areas we can pay attention to to avoid it. Join us as we discuss. If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe and share with others.And connect with me for more great content! Sign Up for R@W Notes Subscribe on Youtube Follow on Linkedin Follow on Instagram Follow me on Threads Follow on TikTok Email me anytime
Oct 20, 2025 • 9min
Why Respect Outshines Professionalism in Today's Workplace
Originally released: August, 2024What if being 'professional' is actually holding your workplace back? In this episode, host Russel Lolacher challenges the traditional norms and reveals why respect, not rigid professionalism, is the key to a thriving, diverse workplace.The idea of professionalism is usually about aligning behaviours, dress codes, communication styles and work ethics around the norms of the dominant culture. This is a barrier to diversity and innovation, while promoting uniformity. Let's be respectful instead.Russel shares real world examples of what we can do as leaders to encourage a respectful workplace and remove the roadblocks associated with being professional. If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe and share with others.And connect with me for more great content! Sign Up for R@W Notes Subscribe on Youtube Follow on Linkedin Follow on Instagram Follow me on Threads Follow on TikTok Email me anytime
Oct 13, 2025 • 10min
Leadership Alert - Avoiding the Pitfalls of Change Management
Originally released: April, 2024In this episode of Relationships at Work, communications and leadership nerd (and host) Russel Lolacher showcases common resistances to change at work and how leaders can avoid these pitfalls. Change is a constant in the workplace, but so is resistance to it. The success and failure of change will be found in how leadership introduces, leads, implements and follows up on that change, and in how they respect what's come before. Russel shares five common pitfalls that leaders encounter when implementing change and ways in which we can think differently in how we approach them. If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe and share with others.And connect with me for more great content! Sign Up for R@W Notes Subscribe on Youtube Follow on Linkedin Follow on Instagram Follow me on Threads Follow on TikTok Email me anytime
Oct 6, 2025 • 9min
Stop Babysitting, Start Leading - A Leadership Mindset Shift
Originally released: January, 2025Ever 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 actionable steps to empower your team, foster accountability, and redefine your leadership mindset. Because great leadership isn’t about control—it’s about trust, coaching, and clarity.And connect with me for more great content! Sign Up for R@W Notes Subscribe on Youtube Follow on Linkedin Follow on Instagram Follow me on Threads Follow on TikTok Email me anytime
Sep 29, 2025 • 10min
Leader Shout Out! - Stop Keeping Your Values All To Yourself
Originally released: May, 2024In this episode of Relationships at Work, communications and leadership nerd (and host) Russel Lolacher recommends we share our values publicly to build better connection.Knowing our values is vital to our self-awareness and in helping us make decisions and setting boundaries that help our career and our employee experience. But they are too valuable to keep to ourselves. Share them. With everyone. It'll benefit us as leaders, our teams and the organization. Russel provides real-world examples of what sharing our values looks like and the many benefits to doing so to help our teams be more innovative, productive and inclusive. Join us as we discuss. If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe and share with others.And connect with me for more great content! Sign Up for R@W Notes Subscribe on Youtube Follow on Linkedin Follow on Instagram Follow me on Threads Follow on TikTok Email me anytime
Sep 22, 2025 • 9min
Leadership Gap - What Leaders Believe and Employees Know
Originally released July, 2023. In this episode of Relationships at Work, communications and leadership nerd (and host) Russel Lolacher highlights the gap between leadership assumptions and employee reality.Numerous surveys have been conducted by SHRM, Deloitte, Forrester showing executives have a very different perception of their organizational culture than those who work for them.Russel asks the question, "but how do you know?" to challenge those leaders who make assumptions, dismiss data they don't agree with or have far too small of a network to know what's really going on. He also offers ideas on how to embrace employees and the challenges they face. And connect with me for more great content! Sign Up for R@W Notes Subscribe on Youtube Follow on Linkedin Follow on Instagram Follow me on Threads Follow on TikTok Email me anytime
Sep 19, 2025 • 12min
Stepping Back Before Burnout: Why Pausing Is Powerful Leadership
In this Relationships at Work mini-episode, host Russel Lolacher gets real about the warning signs of burnout and why stepping back is one of the most important — and overlooked — leadership skills. Drawing from his own experience producing daily episodes, running a newsletter, and working a full-time job, Russel shares how to recognize when your passion is turning into a grind, and how to model sustainable leadership by setting boundaries.You’ll learn:The early signs burnout is creeping in — before it hits hardWhy pausing isn’t failure but a necessary leadership practiceThree actionable steps to spot and address burnout earlyIf you’ve been feeling your joy fade, your fuse shorten, or your energy drop, this episode will remind you that protecting your well-being is how you protect your impact as a leader.And connect with me for more great content! Sign Up for R@W Notes Subscribe on Youtube Follow on Linkedin Follow on Instagram Follow me on Threads Follow on TikTok Email me anytime
Sep 18, 2025 • 16min
Building Cultures That Learn from Failure
Part 4 of our 4-part conversation on turning adversity into opportunity.Organizations often say they embrace failure — but do they really? Executive coach Whitney Faires and host Russel Lolacher dive into how leadership accountability and honest feedback shape a healthier workplace culture. From avoiding toxic positivity to taking extreme ownership, Whitney shares why cultures that accept setbacks as learning opportunities unlock trust, loyalty, and long-term success.And connect with me for more great content! Sign Up for R@W Notes Subscribe on Youtube Follow on Linkedin Follow on Instagram Follow me on Threads Follow on TikTok Email me anytime
Sep 17, 2025 • 13min
Leading Teams Through Setbacks with Confidence
Part 3 of our 4-part conversation on turning adversity into opportunity at work.When adversity hits, teams look to their leaders for guidance. Executive coach Whitney Faires joins host Russel Lolacher to explore how leaders can normalize setbacks, create space for mistakes, and help teams grow through challenges. Whitney explains how modeling resilience, encouraging problem-solving, and maintaining perspective builds trust and motivation. Learn how to guide your team through adversity without losing momentum.And connect with me for more great content! Sign Up for R@W Notes Subscribe on Youtube Follow on Linkedin Follow on Instagram Follow me on Threads Follow on TikTok Email me anytime
Sep 16, 2025 • 14min
Resilience and Self-Awareness: Turning Setbacks into Strength
Part 2 of our 4-part conversation on turning adversity into opportunity at work.Failure feels personal — but it doesn’t have to define you. In this episode, executive coach Whitney Faires talks with host Russel Lolacher about reframing adversity through mindset and self-reflection. Whitney shares how to separate emotion from fact, regulate your response, and see setbacks as chances for growth. Learn why resilience starts with self-awareness and how leaders can build strength on the other side of adversity.And connect with me for more great content! Sign Up for R@W Notes Subscribe on Youtube Follow on Linkedin Follow on Instagram Follow me on Threads Follow on TikTok Email me anytime
