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

In this episode of Relationships at Work, we explore how recognition is more than praise — it's a cultural signal that defines values, fosters belonging, and drives performance.Host Russel Lolacher sits down with a workplace recognition expert from Workhuman to dig into:Why generic praise fails to make people feel seenHow meaningful recognition strengthens psychological safetyThe damage of performative or biased recognitionWhy culture is built from everyday moments, not posters on the wallThe global, generational, and leadership nuances in how people want to be recognizedIf you're a leader or HR professional looking to create a culture of trust, recognition may be the most underutilized lever you have.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

This is part 4 of a 4-part conversation on the context we need for improving leadership development.If your workplace culture isn’t evolving, your leadership development probably isn’t either. In this Relationships at Work episode, Dr. Rob Lion joins Russel Lolacher to explore how broken systems, poor communication, and lack of psychological safety derail leadership development efforts. They dive into what it takes to manage up, lead across, and build better—without waiting for permission.🔍 You’ll learn:Why leadership development can’t live in silosWhat to do when your culture isn’t ready to support growthHow communication habits shape trust and cultureWhen to stay—and when to walk awayAnd 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 conversation on the context we need for improving leadership development.Great leadership development isn’t done in isolation—it’s done with the team. In this Relationships at Work episode, Dr. Rob Lion explains how leaders can use trust, vulnerability, and shared growth to develop themselves and those around them. Russel Lolacher explores how team engagement and development can be intentional, relational, and central to leadership success.🔍 You’ll learn:How to integrate development into 1:1s and team meetingsWhy vulnerability is key to real engagementHow to grow trust through shared learningWhy leadership development should build your team, not just yourselfAnd 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 conversation on the context we need for improving leadership development.You can’t develop as a leader if you don’t understand yourself. In this Relationships at Work episode, Dr. Rob Lion digs into the internal foundation of leadership development—mindset, identity, motivation, and the courage to seek help. With Russel Lolacher, he explores why self-awareness is non-negotiable and how leaders can stop outsourcing responsibility and start owning their growth.🔍 You’ll learn:Why mindset is the foundation of leadership developmentThe difference between motivation and driveWhat coaching (not outsourcing) looks likeHow identity and values shape how we leadAnd 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 conversation on the context we need for improving leadership development. Leadership development starts with understanding what leadership actually is—but most organizations skip that step entirely. In this Relationships at Work episode, Dr. Rob Lion joins Russel Lolacher to unpack the leadership confusion so many organizations suffer from. Together, they explore why we conflate productivity with leadership, why style-based development doesn’t work, and how a lack of shared definition breaks everything downstream.🔍 You’ll learn:Why clarity is foundational in leadership developmentThe danger of copying poor role modelsWhere post-secondary education misses the markWhat a strong leadership identity looks likeAnd 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

Inclusion is one of the most talked-about values in the modern workplace—but also one of the most misunderstood. We say the word, we build strategies around it, but do we actually know what it looks and feels like?In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher welcomes Peter Andrew Danzig — LSW, MSS, MA, CCPT, CPT — a trauma-informed therapist, inclusion strategist, and performing arts professional, to challenge conventional thinking around workplace inclusion.Together, they explore:Why the “everyone at the table” definition isn’t enoughHow belonging is the true measure of inclusionThe crucial difference between responsibility and accountability in DEIThe cost of conflict avoidance in leadershipWhy HR can’t (and shouldn’t) shoulder inclusion aloneWhat it actually means to bring your full self to workThis conversation isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about redefining inclusion as a lived, evolving, and shared responsibility—and how organizations can move from intention to real impact.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

This is part 4 of a 4-part conversation on the work leaders need to do to incorporate belonging in the workplace with author and research Dr. Beth Kaplan. Each episode explores a different theme—clarity, self-awareness, team dynamics, and workplace culture. Workplace culture often undermines belonging, even with the best of intentions. In this episode, we explore the difference between performative and real belonging, the disconnect between values and actions, and why DEI and belonging should be treated as distinct (but related) priorities. This is a wake-up call for leaders at every level.🎙️ Featuring the expertise of Dr. Beth Kaplan, belonging and leadership expert.Discussion includes:Why “we’re a family” sends the wrong messageThe problem with outsourcing belonging to HRWhy DEI ≠ belonging (and what to do about it)How to embed belonging in the culture, not just the commsAnd 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 conversation on the work leaders need to do to incorporate belonging in the workplace with author and research Dr. Beth Kaplan. Each episode explores a different theme—clarity, self-awareness, team dynamics, and workplace culture.Belonging doesn’t happen by accident—it’s built through consistent, intentional leadership. In this episode, we explore what care really looks like from a team perspective, how one-on-ones can foster trust, and the key leadership habits that make people feel seen, valued, and supported.🎙️ Featuring expert commentary from belonging researcher Dr. Beth Kaplan.Key takeaways:Why care is the #1 value employees wantHow to lead more meaningful one-on-onesThe power of candor, advocacy, and consistencyHow to show up with both humanity and structureAnd 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 conversation on the work leaders need to do to incorporate belonging in the workplace with author and research Dr. Beth Kaplan. Each episode explores a different theme—clarity, self-awareness, team dynamics, and workplace culture.Before we can lead others into belonging, we need to start with ourselves. This episode explores how self-worth, trauma, and emotional safety play a foundational role in how we show up as leaders. We look at the internal work required to foster belonging—not as a reward for performance, but as a decision to value who we are.🎙️ With personal and research-backed insight from author and researcher Dr. Beth Kaplan.What you’ll hear:A powerful story of burnout and survivalWhy belonging can’t be earned through overworkHow workplace PTSD travels with usThe self-awareness required for true leadershipAnd 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 conversation on the work leaders need to do to incorporate belonging in the workplace with author and research Dr. Beth Kaplan. Each episode explores a different theme—clarity, self-awareness, team dynamics, and workplace culture.Belonging isn’t the same as fitting in—and the difference matters. In this episode, we define what belonging truly is and how most organizations misunderstand or misuse the term. We explore why clarity around belonging matters and how vague values and misaligned language can erode trust and workplace culture.🎙️ Featuring expert insight from Dr. Beth Kaplan, author of Braving the Workplace: Belonging at the Breaking Point.Topics covered:What belonging actually meansThe difference between inclusion and belongingWhy performative values harm cultureHow to tell if your organization is doing it rightAnd 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