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

Becoming a leader for the first time can feel like being dropped into the deep end—especially in a remote or hybrid world. In this episode of Relationships at Work, principle of The Collective Good LLC Britt Hogue joins Russel Lolacher to explore what new leaders often get wrong, and how intentional leadership can build trust and team connection, even when everyone’s not in the same room.They discuss:How remote work exposes lazy leadership habitsWhy relationship-building must be intentionalWhat new leaders should prioritize in their first 90 daysHow culture starts with consistent action, not just messaging💬 “If you’re just sitting in your office all day, that’s not leadership.”Whether you're new to leadership or supporting someone who is, this episode will give you practical tools and a new perspective on what it takes to succeed in today’s workplace.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

It’s easy to label. It’s harder to understand.“Our culture is toxic.” “That leader is horrible.” “This system is broken.”But are they? Or are we missing the nuance and context that give us the real story? In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher challenges the rise of black-and-white thinking in leadership and workplace culture. He explores how embracing nuance and context isn't just helpful—it's essential for meaningful, human-centered leadership.With real-world examples and actionable strategies, you’ll learn:Why binary thinking breaks down effective leadership.How to ask better questions before making assumptions.What situational awareness actually looks like in practice.This episode is a call to leaders to get curious, stay present, and stop letting oversimplified narratives drive decision-making.Because great leadership doesn’t live in absolutes. It lives in the grey.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, host Russel Lolacher welcomes Fabrice Desmarescaux — McKinsey partner, leadership advisor, and author of The Art of Retreats — to explore how ancient wisdom can help solve very modern leadership challenges.Fabrice draws from a range of traditions, from Eastern philosophies like Taoism and Buddhism to Western teachings and monastic practices, to show how leaders can reconnect with purpose, presence, and clarity in a fast-paced, performance-driven world.💬 Topics discussed include:Why short-term thinking is eroding leadership impactHow retreats create space for connection and insightThe role of mindfulness, reflection, and solitude in leadershipApplying ancient principles without bringing religion into the workplaceA simple mindset check that can shift any leadership interaction🗣️ “Everything I write about in the book is, as I said, 2000 or 3000 years old for the most part.” – Fabrice DesmarescauxWhether you're leading a team or leading yourself, this episode offers a grounded, universal lens to rethink how we show up 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

At Workhuman LIVE, experts and thought leaders shared practical insights on the future of work—uncovering hidden potential, redefining psychological safety, and building resilient teams equipped for change. In this episode of Relationships at Work, I break down the biggest takeaways across leadership, DEI, artificial intelligence, and resiliency. Learn how brave spaces challenge comfort, why AI demands clean data, and how true resilience is built through preparation and growth.Discover insights that will help you lead with purpose and transform your workplace culture. Tune 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 episode of Relationships at Work, we’re diving into the almost-forgotten power of handwritten communication with Amy Weinland Daughters, award-winning author of Dear Dana and passionate advocate for intentional connection.Amy shares how a simple handwritten note can redefine relationships in the workplace, cutting through the noise of digital communication to create moments that are tangible, memorable, and deeply personal. We explore how these small gestures of appreciation can override mistakes, build trust, and even boost retention, all with just a pen and a few minutes of time.Discover why handwritten notes are more than just ink on paper—they are symbols of care, recognition, and leadership that last far beyond the moment they're received.🔹 In This Episode:Why handwritten notes have more impact than emails or Slack messagesHow vulnerability in handwriting deepens trust and connectionOvercoming fear of imperfection when writing notesPractical tips to make handwritten notes part of your leadership styleIf you want to stand out as a leader who truly cares, you might just find your next powerful tool…in a pen.Would you like me to craft a LinkedIn and Instagram promo post for this episode as well?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

We’ve all heard it before—promises of change, assurances of action, and commitments to improvement from leaders. But too often, words are mistaken for progress. In this episode of Relationships at Work, we’re diving into the dangerous gap between talking and doing in leadership. When leaders say, "We’re working on it," but nothing changes, trust erodes, and relationships suffer. We explore real-world scenarios like resolving workload issues, addressing toxic behavior, and improving feedback loops, and we provide actionable steps leaders can take to ensure their words match their actions. Because in leadership, talking isn’t enough—doing is what matters.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, I sit down with Amri B. Johnson, executive advisor, organizational consultant, and founder of Inclusion Wins, to explore what it truly means to systemize inclusion. We break down his Emergent Inclusion System—an approach that goes beyond checkboxes and surface-level DEI initiatives to create lasting, impactful change in the workplace.Amri shares how organizations can operationalize inclusion through everyday practices, empowering skilled operators to carry the message forward, and building resilience that strengthens through adversity. We also discuss the importance of cultural intelligence, accountability through action—not just mandates—and how real inclusion is built into the DNA of how we work, lead, and connect.If you're looking to understand how to make inclusion sustainable, actionable, and transformative, this episode is your blueprint.Listen now and discover:How inclusion systems create lasting impactThe role of cultural intelligence in driving changePractical ways to operationalize inclusion dailyWhy accountability is a shared, ongoing processJoin us as we reimagine what inclusion can—and should—be.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

When we show up to work, we bring expectations—with how we’ll be treated, how we’ll grow, and how we’ll be led. But what happens when the person responsible for our development… isn’t really a leader at all? In this solo episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher unpacks the frustration that comes when leadership expectations crash into the reality of untrained, unresponsive supervisors. He offers tangible advice for how employees can lead up when support is lacking—and how real leaders can better manage the expectations placed on them by staying curious and communicative. Because not every manager is a leader, but every leader has the opportunity to rise to the challenge.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 does it mean to be a neuro-fit leader? In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher is joined by trauma-sensitive, polyvagal-informed leadership and neuro coach Mallory Meyer to unpack the real power of nervous system regulation in leadership. Together, they explore why leaders can’t think their way to better leadership — they have to feel it. Mallory shares how neuro-fitness supports emotional agility, improves decision-making, and helps leaders show up with authenticity and calm in high-stress environments. They also discuss: – Why resilience gets misused in the workplace – What co-regulation looks like in teams – Tangible tools to reset your nervous system in real-time – The connection between diversity, performance, and embodied leadership – How modeling neuro-fitness can shift organizational culture from the inside out If you're tired of performative leadership advice and ready for something rooted in humanity, science, and practical tools, this episode delivers.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

After 250 episodes of exploring leadership, workplace culture, and the human side of work, certain truths just won’t stay quiet. In this solo episode, host Russel Lolacher reflects on the six most consistent, hard-earned lessons that keep showing up — no matter the industry, the title, or the team. From the emotional impact of leadership to the systems that silently shape it, these are the truths every leader needs to face if they want to do better, lead better, and build workplaces worth staying in. This isn’t a checklist — it’s a challenge.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