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 leadership. Learn actionable steps to shift from band-aid solutions to meaningful investments that build trust, engagement, and a thriving workplace. If you’re ready to stop managing symptoms and start curing the disease, this episode is for you.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

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 starts with managers.Practical experience outweighs observation.The ripple effect of poor hiring.Confidence in hiring requires support systems.Hey! If you're enjoying the insights from our guests, you'll love our R@W Notes Newsletter. It’s packed with guest takeaways, the resources that inspire them, and my own tips on how we as leaders can be better humans for the humans the are responsible for. Go to RelationshipsAtWorkShow.com and Subscribe Now and help the workplace be more human.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

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 workloads, provide resources, and foster healthy work environments that prevent burnout and turnover. This is a call to move beyond management and embrace leadership with a human lens—because true leadership starts with understanding and supporting your team before it’s too late.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

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 creating something entirely new but building on existing ideas, the role of leaders in fostering curiosity and psychological safety, and why a collaborative team dynamic is essential for success. Packed with actionable advice and real-world examples, this episode is a must-listen for leaders aiming to align innovation with their unique vision and values.Discover how to debunk the lone genius myth, embrace failure as part of success, and create environments where innovation thrives. Plus, hear Sam’s powerful personal stories about the risks and rewards of empowering young leaders.Tune in to learn how to break barriers and lead innovation authentically!Hey! If you're enjoying the insights from our guests, you'll love our R@W Notes Newsletter. It’s packed with guest takeaways, the resources that inspire them, and my own tips on how we as leaders can be better humans for the humans the are responsible for. Go to RelationshipsAtWorkShow.com and Subscribe Now and help the workplace be more human.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

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 reality they face by conducting cultural assessments, developing aligned leadership, and managing change with respect and transparency. Discover the essential steps to navigate the journey from where you are to where you want to be, ensuring your team joins you in building a better future.Because leadership isn’t just about dreaming big—it’s about understanding the map, the people, and the path to get there. Tune in and lead the way.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

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 intentionalityHigh-performing cultures do not equate to overworking employees.Proactive leadership is required and should focus on removing obstacles.The importance of transparency and measurementHigh-performing sustainability comes through prioritization, delegation, and incremental change.These cultures start with curiosity and fuels improvement with it.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

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 for R@W Notes Subscribe on Youtube Follow on Linkedin Follow on Instagram Follow me on Threads Follow on TikTok Email me anytime

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 set the tone for organizational cultural competence.Bias impacts organizations at multiple levels.Diverse teams perform best with cultural competence.Cultural competence requires a developmental process.Unconscious filters affect both leaders and organizational systems. Hey! If you're enjoying the insights from our guests, you'll love our R@W Notes Newsletter. It’s packed with guest takeaways, the resources that inspire them, and my own tips on how we as leaders can be better humans for the humans the are responsible for. Go to RelationshipsAtWorkShow.com and Subscribe Now and help the workplace be more human.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

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 practical solutions to empower leaders to truly lead.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

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 broader mission.Persistence overcomes ego-driven environments.The power to listen, adapt, and stay accessible.Hey! If you're enjoying the insights from our guests, you'll love our R@W Notes Newsletter. It’s packed with guest takeaways, the resources that inspire them, and my own tips on how we as leaders can be better humans for the humans the are responsible for. Go to RelationshipsAtWorkShow.com and Subscribe Now and help the workplace be more human.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