Relationships at Work - The Leadership Guide to Building Workplace Connections and Avoiding Blind Spots.

A vision and mission statement should be more than just corporate wallpaper—they should inspire, align, and drive meaningful action. Yet, most employees can’t even recall theirs. In this episode of Relationships at Work, we dive into why so many organizations treat vision and mission as checkboxes rather than powerful tools for motivation and strategy. We explore what makes a great vision and mission statement, how they can transform engagement and decision-making, and the real cost of getting them wrong. If you want your team to care about the work they do, it starts with giving them something worth believing in.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 thought-provoking episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher sits down with Nigel Thurlow, co-creator of The Flow System and former Chief of Agile at Toyota, to break down the hidden dangers of how we incentivize leadership.We discuss: ✔️ How financial incentives can backfire and create toxic leadership ✔️ The difference between responsibility and accountability in leadership ✔️ Why many employees don’t want leadership roles—and how to change that ✔️ The real question leaders should ask: If you stopped paying people, would they still follow you? ✔️ Why "productivity theater" is ruining workplace culture ✔️ How distributed leadership can fix broken incentive systems🎧 Tune in for a game-changing conversation on leadership, workplace culture, and what it truly means to inspire others.👉 Subscribe & follow for more episodes on building stronger relationships at work!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

Every job is a communication job. Every leader is a communicator—whether they realize it or not. But too often, organizations mistake speaking at people for real communication. In this episode, we break down the difference between broadcasting information and fostering true understanding.Drawing from insights on leadership, engagement, and workplace culture, we explore how great leaders ensure they’re communicating—not just talking. From the power of two-way dialogue to practical ways to measure communication effectiveness, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to improve their leadership impact.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

Leaders often think relationships are built on instincts, but what if they’re actually built on systems? In this episode, executive and leadership coach Trevor Timbeck challenges the idea that relationship-building is purely emotional or intuitive. Instead, he breaks down how intentional systems—like structured feedback loops, proactive communication, and even remembering birthdays—can create stronger, more meaningful connections at work.We dive into:✅ Why every relationship already has a system, whether you realize it or not✅ How leaders can shift from passive to proactive relationship management✅ The power of feedback as a system (and why most leaders fail at it)✅ How personal and professional relationships thrive on predictability and intentionBy the end of this conversation, you'll see relationships not as random but as repeatable, improvable systems that can transform workplace culture and leadership success.🔊 Listen in and start building better relationship systems today!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 mini-episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher dives into a tough but necessary conversation—why organizations need to stop passing the buck on bad leadership. Russel explores the hidden dangers of shifting problematic leaders to new roles without accountability, the ripple effects on workplace culture, and how teams often feel forced to "recommend" toxic leaders just to be rid of them. With a simple A.I.M. framework—Admit, Identify, Manage—Russel highlights how leaders and organizations can take responsibility, confront leadership blind spots, and foster real growth. It’s time to stop hiding leadership issues and start fixing them—because while they’re under your roof, they’re your responsibility.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, Danielle Smeltzer, founder and CEO of Awarely Embodied Leadership, dives deep into the transformative power of trauma-informed leadership. She challenges conventional leadership narratives, revealing how emotions—like stress and even anger—serve as vital signals from our nervous system, not weaknesses to suppress. Danielle explains why curiosity is the cornerstone of self-awareness and how leaders can use it to build healthier, more empathetic workplaces.We explore the myths around stress and burnout, the importance of co-regulation in team dynamics, and why trauma-informed leadership isn’t just another buzzword—it’s a lifelong practice. Danielle also shares practical insights on how leaders can balance empathy with accountability, break free from the "quick-fix" mentality, and truly connect with their teams on a deeper, more human level.If you’re a leader seeking to foster more meaningful connections while navigating the complexities of modern work, this conversation is for you.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

New ideas need curiosity, not immediate criticism. As leaders, our role isn’t to shut down innovation but to guide and refine it. In this episode, we explore how the right questions can turn ideas into opportunities, while the wrong mindset can stifle progress. Learn how to shift from assumptions and dismissiveness to curiosity and engagement—building a culture where ideas thrive, and teams feel supported in their growth.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

Culture isn’t just a set of values on a website—it’s the daily actions, behaviors, and processes that shape how an organization truly operates. In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher sits down with Garrett Delph, founder and CEO of Clarity Ops, to dive deep into how to operationalize culture in a way that actually works.Garrett shares:✔️ Why most companies fail at culture (hint: lack of process and accountability)✔️ The PPP (P3) framework for integrating culture into daily operations✔️ How leadership must move beyond vision statements to reinforce culture in action✔️ The role of measurement, accountability, and feedback in building a sustainable culture✔️ Why cultural debt is just as dangerous as technical debt—and how to avoid itIf you’ve ever wondered how to turn workplace culture from an abstract concept into a measurable, actionable force for success, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in for practical insights and real-world strategies to create a thriving, values-driven workplace.🎧 Listen now!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

What’s your leadership style? It’s a common question, but the real answer shouldn’t be just one. In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher challenges the idea of rigid leadership styles and explains why adaptability is key to leading effectively.Different situations call for different approaches—whether it’s authoritative leadership in a crisis, transactional leadership for goal-driven teams, or servant leadership for collaboration. Sticking to just one limits your impact.Russel explores how leaders can assess their default style, develop new approaches, and build a more dynamic leadership toolkit. If you want to lead well in any environment, it’s time to expand your skill set.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

Fear, hesitation, and resistance—why do so many leaders struggle with DEI? In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher sits down with Toby Mildon, diversity and inclusion architect and author of Inclusive Growth, to break down the misconceptions, challenges, and real business benefits of embedding DEI into workplace culture.Toby shares insights on:✔️ The biggest fears leaders have around DEI—and how to overcome them✔️ Why diversity isn’t just good ethics, but a competitive advantage✔️ The importance of embedding DEI into the DNA of an organization, not isolating it✔️ How inclusive leadership and equity drive long-term business successDEI isn’t a “nice to have”—it’s a necessity. Tune in to learn how organizations that prioritize inclusion not only foster better workplaces but also build resilient, high-performing teams.🎧 Listen now!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