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
Sep 12, 2025 • 9min
Corporate Speak Is Killing Connection – Here’s How to Fix It
Corporate jargon might sound polished, but it’s destroying trust, relationships, and humanity at work. In this Relationships at Work mini-episode, host Russel Lolacher — internationally recognized leadership speaker and host of this globally ranked top 5% podcast — breaks down why corporate speak fails and how leaders can replace it with clear, human communication. Learn why jargon alienates teams, what it signals about leadership, and three practical steps to create authentic connection through plain, honest language.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 11, 2025 • 14min
Building a Culture Inspired by Leadership Design
Part 4 of our 4-part conversation on leadership design.What does a workplace look like when leadership design is at its core? Host Russel Lolacher is joined by Georgi Enthoven — global advisor and thought leader on purposeful, high-impact work — to reveal how cultures shaped by vision and contribution inspire employees to say, “I’m proud of what I do.” This episode explores how organizations can foster community, pride, and sustainability to create modern workplaces worth belonging to.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 10, 2025 • 11min
Keeping Teams Aligned Through Vision, Not Just Strategy
Part 3 of our 4-part conversation on leadership design.Leaders often mistake strategy for identity, creating rigidity and disconnection. In this conversation, host Russel Lolacher and Georgi Enthoven — bestselling author and venture partner with deep experience advising businesses on impact and culture — discuss how leadership design helps teams align on a compelling vision. They explore how to co-create purpose with diverse perspectives and keep teams engaged without losing sight of the bigger picture.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 9, 2025 • 10min
Why Leadership Design Starts with Self-Awareness
Part 2 of our 4-part conversation on leadership design.How can leaders design their impact if they don’t know themselves first? Host Russel Lolacher sits down with Georgi Enthoven — a seasoned entrepreneur and podcast host who helps professionals align ambition with purpose — to uncover the importance of self-awareness in leadership. Georgi shares how identifying your unique strengths (not just fixing weaknesses) builds the confidence and clarity leaders need to show up authentically and drive meaningful change.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 8, 2025 • 18min
Defining Leadership Design for the Future of Work
Part 1 of our 4-part conversation on leadership design.In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher explores what “leadership design” really means. Guest Georgi Enthoven — entrepreneur, venture partner, advisor to global family businesses, and USA Today bestselling author of Work That’s Worth It — shares why leadership is more than profit or promotion. She explains how integrating impact into business models is becoming non-negotiable, and why younger generations are demanding leaders rethink what success looks like.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 5, 2025 • 9min
Two-Way Communication: A Leader’s Path to Connection
In this solo episode of Relationships at Work, host and leadership communication expert Russel Lolacher challenges a common leadership blind spot: treating communication as one-way. Drawing from decades of experience and real workplace stories, Russel explains why leaders—not employees—carry the full responsibility for ensuring messages are understood.You’ll learn practical actions to:Make communication relevant to employees.Deliver messages in ways that are easy to consume.Keep it interesting and interactive to build trust.Discover why true leadership is about adapting, clarifying, and trying again—because connection only happens through two-way communication.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 4, 2025 • 14min
Turning Workplace Friction Into a Flow-Based Culture
Part 4 of our 4-part conversation on shifting our leadership from friction to flow.Culture is built on behaviors, moods, and systems that either fuel friction or create flow. In this Relationships at Work episode, host Russel Lolacher talks with Margaret Graziano, keynote speaker and bestselling author of Ignite Culture, about how leaders can take responsibility for toxic environments and transform them into thriving, high-performing cultures. Learn how small moments of friction snowball into dysfunction, and how flow accelerates change, profitability, and retention.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 3, 2025 • 14min
From Friction to Flow: How Teams Thrive Together
Part 3 of our 4-part conversation on shifting our leadership from friction to flow..What does a team in flow actually look like? In this Relationships at Work episode, host Russel Lolacher is joined by Margaret Graziano to unpack how leaders can shift their teams from defensive, draining dynamics into collaboration and empowerment. Discover why the “magic number” for team problem-solving is five to eight people, how laughter and trust fuel flow, and what leaders can do to unlock their team’s best work.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 2, 2025 • 12min
Leadership Starts with Self-Awareness: Moving from Friction to Flow
Part 2 of our 4-part conversation on shifting our leadership from friction to flow..Flow begins with you. In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher talks with Margaret Graziano, culture transformation expert and bestselling author of Ignite Culture, about how ego, triggers, and old patterns affect leadership. Learn why personal awareness is the first step toward flow, and why leaders can’t move their teams forward without first moving themselves.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 1, 2025 • 28min
Friction vs Flow at Work: Leadership Clarity for Better Results
Part 1 of our 4-part conversation on shifting our leadership from friction to flow..What’s the difference between friction and flow in the workplace? In this episode of the Relationships at Work podcast, host Russel Lolacher sits down with Margaret Graziano — CEO of KeenAlignment and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Ignite Culture. Together they define friction in leadership, explore how it wastes energy and productivity, and explain how clarity helps leaders shift their people and organizations into flow.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
