Relationships at Work - the leadership podcast helping you build workplace connection, improve culture, and avoid blind spots.

This is part 1 of 6 of our Workhuman LIVE series. In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher is joined by workplace culture and leadership expert Jason Lauritsen to explore the real obstacles leaders face when trying to build meaningful connections at work. From poor relationship training to fear of feedback, Jason breaks down why so many managers get connection wrong—and what to do about it.We talk about the role of self-awareness, why cultural misfits suffer in silence, how trust is lost through delegation, and what connection really means in leadership. If you're looking to improve employee experience, boost psychological safety, and become a more human-centered leader, this episode is for you.🔎 Topics include:The difference between relationships and connectionWhy middle managers get scapegoatedThe emotional cost of poor leadershipThe power of one-on-one conversationsHow remote leaders can still build trust and connectionHey! 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

This is part 4 of a 4-part series on reputation management with Charlotte Otter, author of We Need New Leaders. Each episode explores a different theme—clarity, self-awareness, team dynamics, and workplace culture.Culture is shaped by what leaders do—not what’s written on the walls. In this culture-focused conversation, Charlotte Otter joins Russel Lolacher to explore how reputation exposes the health of workplace culture. From social media transparency to unwritten norms and cross-functional relationships, they discuss the reputational risks leaders face when they don’t match their messaging with their behavior.✅ How culture and reputation are interconnected ✅ Why unwritten norms influence perception ✅ Managing reputation during change and missteps ✅ The role of consistency and communication in culture-buildingAnd 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

This is part 3 of a 4-part series on reputation management with Charlotte Otter, author of We Need New Leaders. Each episode explores a different theme—clarity, self-awareness, team dynamics, and workplace culture.Reputation isn’t built behind closed doors—it’s forged in everyday moments with your team. In this episode, Charlotte Otter shares how leaders gain or lose trust through their behavior, and how a bad reputation can create a fear-based culture that kills innovation. Together with Russel Lolacher, she breaks down how psychological safety, vulnerability, and honest feedback are essential for leadership success.✅ How fear damages culture ✅ Why vulnerability is key to recovery ✅ Leading with consistency and empathy ✅ What your team actually remembersAnd 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

This is part 2 of a 4-part series on reputation management with Charlotte Otter, author of We Need New Leaders. Each episode explores a different theme—clarity, self-awareness, team dynamics, and workplace culture.Before you manage your reputation—know yourself. In this episode, Russel Lolacher and Charlotte Otter explore how self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and personal responsibility form the foundation of a strong leadership reputation. Drawing from Charlotte’s work with executive clients and her book We Need New Leaders, they discuss why personal brand, inner work, and behavioral alignment are essential for leadership growth.✅ Why self-audit is difficult but necessary ✅ The impact of therapy, coaching, and lived experience ✅ How triggers and empathy shape leadership reputation ✅ What personal brand has to do with your careerAnd 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

This is part 1 of a 4-part series on reputation management with Charlotte Otter, author of We Need New Leaders. Each episode explores a different theme—clarity, self-awareness, team dynamics, and workplace culture.What is reputation in the workplace—and how should leaders define and manage it? In this clarity-focused episode, Russel Lolacher speaks with Charlotte Otter, reputation strategist and author of We Need New Leaders, to uncover the fundamentals of reputation management. From the definition used by scholars to the realities of perception, this episode breaks down the importance of consistency, narrative, and trust for every leader.✅ What reputation is (and isn’t) ✅ How perception drives opportunity ✅ Why leaders need clarity on their narrative ✅ The role of values and the “say-do” gapAnd 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

Unseen. Unheard. Unappreciated.It’s the feeling behind the sighs, the silence, and the sudden sick days. And according to research, it’s one of the top reasons employees leave.In this replay episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher explores the all-too-common experience of feeling undervalued at work—and the leadership blind spots that let it happen. Backed by Gallup and Workhuman data, he shares the nine warning signs that your employees may not feel seen or supported, from subtle disengagement to visible burnout.You’ll learn:What behaviours signal an employee feels disconnected or dismissedWhy “quiet quitting” might be more about leadership than lazinessHow under-recognition is a silent killer of retention and trustWhat actions leaders can take to reestablish connection and careThis episode is a call to stop missing what’s right in front of us—and start leading with intention 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

Conflict doesn’t always show up as yelling matches or angry emails. Sometimes it’s silence in a meeting, a passive-aggressive Slack message, or the word “fine” said through gritted teeth. In this replay episode of Relationships at Work, we’re digging into the real roots of workplace conflict—and how to better recognize, prevent, and resolve it.I’m joined by Carol Bowser, a workplace conflict expert, mediator, speaker, and former employment lawyer who’s spent decades helping organizations navigate tough conversations. Together, we explore how conflict lives in hybrid and remote work environments, why “win-win” might set the wrong expectations, and how leaders can read the emotional room—even when it’s on Zoom.You’ll learn:Why trust breaks down before conflict shows upHow power dynamics and organizational culture shape tensionThe one question every leader should be asking to avoid conflict escalationWhat it actually means to resolve conflict (spoiler: it’s not always kumbaya)If you’ve ever struggled to address tension on your team, felt unsure about when to step in—or stepped in too late—this episode is your leadership toolkit for navigating the uncomfortable with more clarity and connection.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 solo episode, host Russel Lolacher shares a personal and pivotal shift in the Relationships at Work podcast—introducing a new episode format designed to better serve leaders who want to improve workplace culture, build meaningful connections, and avoid leadership blind spots.You’ll learn the why behind the change, how the show has evolved from a simple curiosity into a transformative leadership resource, and what to expect going forward: ✔️ Four themed episodes each week—Clarity, Relationship with Self, Relationship with Team, and Organizational Culture ✔️ Bite-sized leadership insights you can actually use ✔️ Friday solo episodes with mindset nudges to reflect and rechargeIf you’ve ever asked, “What does leadership really look like day to day?”—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

Leadership can be isolating—even when you're constantly surrounded by people. In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher speaks with licensed psychologist, executive coach, and TEDx speaker Dr. Adam Dorsay, author of Super Psyched: Unleash the Power of the Four Types of Connection and Live the Life You Love.They explore why loneliness in leadership is so common, how disconnection silently affects workplace culture, and what organizations can do to foster genuine human connection at work.Dr. Dorsay brings insights from neuroscience, psychology, and his own work with executives and tech professionals to break down the four types of connection—and how self-connection forms the foundation for psychological safety, belonging, and trust on teams.🔍 In this episode:Why being surrounded by coworkers doesn’t prevent lonelinessHow vulnerability (not oversharing) creates real intimacy at workWhat leaders can do to build stronger, human-centered workplacesThe danger of ignoring connection as a cultural valueWhy quiet quitting and disengagement are often symptoms of disconnectionThe science behind awe, self-compassion, and relationship-buildingWhether you're a senior executive, team lead, or just trying to feel more seen and supported at work, this episode will help you understand why connection is more than a buzzword—it's a business-critical skill.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

Leadership can be incredibly lonely—especially when the people above you aren’t actually leading. In this solo episode of Relationships at Work, Russel Lolacher explores the hidden loneliness of good leaders and what to do when you're surrounded by hierarchy, but not support.You'll hear:Why great leaders often feel disconnected in toxic or stagnant systemsThe toll of misaligned leadership expectations on mental healthWhy building community sideways—not just upward—is essentialThree actionable ways to build or find your leadership networkIf you're a people-first leader frustrated by the lack of leadership around you, this episode is your reminder: you're not alone—and your leadership community may be closer than you think.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