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

In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher sits down with Morgan Williams, co-founder and CEO of Peak HR, and founder of MWHR Consulting, to discuss the growing disconnect between executives and employees in today’s workplace. Drawing on her extensive experience in HR, psychology, and conflict management, Morgan dives into the real reasons behind the widening gap—post-pandemic priorities, employee motivations, and leadership’s failure to adapt. She offers powerful insights on how executives can reconnect with their teams by showing genuine empathy, understanding personal struggles, and leading with emotional intelligence. Morgan also shares actionable strategies for fostering trust and accountability, ensuring that leadership isn’t just about directives, but about building meaningful, reciprocal relationships in both in-office and remote work environments. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on the future of leadership and how organizations can evolve to meet the changing needs of their workforce.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 episode, we dive into the concept of moral imagination as an antidote to the arrogant assumptions that can easily creep into leadership. Inspired by Jacqueline Novogratz's book Manifesto For A Moral Revolution, we explore how leaders can envision a more just and inclusive future by embracing humility, empathy, and authenticity. We'll discuss practical steps for developing moral imagination, from building trust to challenging the status quo, and how these actions can shape a healthier, more equitable workplace for everyone.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, Russel chats with COO and entrepreneur Matt Verlaque on the necessity of stay interviews for the health of your organization.Matt shares his experience and insights on...Stay interviews assess personal and professional fulfillmentCandid communication builds strong teams.Frequent one-on-ones create continual growth opportunities.Frequent feedback prevents surprises.Stay interviews promote candid feedback and culture alignment.Organizations often deprioritize stay interviews due to short-term productivity focus.Leaders should inspect what they expect, but not as micromanagers.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 hit a major milestone—200 episodes! Since launching Relationships at Work in January 2022, it's been an incredible journey, evolving from a weekly interview show to twice-a-week episodes, including mini solo episodes every Thursday. Whether you've listened, watched, or supported us through this newsletter, thank you!In this special episode, I reflect on some of the most important lessons learned along the way, from the power of defining leadership terms, to the profound impact daily, small actions have on building trust, and why leadership’s true influence can be life-changing. I’ve had the privilege of learning from global experts on leadership, and the insights gained have been both inspiring and sobering.Tune in for my top takeaways on leadership’s ripple effect across the workplace, why the “missing middle” of employees deserves more attention, and how incorporating more humanity into leadership—kindness, empathy, curiosity—can truly transform workplace culture.Let’s reflect on what we’ve achieved and look forward to even more impactful conversations.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 celebrate the 200th episode of the show. To mark the occasion, Russel invites back former guests and a few listeners to share their personal experiences with the work relationships that have shaped their leadership journeys.We ask these experts three questions and learn so much from their answers.What is the most impactful work relationship you've ever had and why was it impactful?What have your work relationships taught you about being a better leader?With all the hindsight and experience you have now, what do you wish you would have done sooner to build better relationships at work faster?Learn more from the leadership journeys of:Jen BuckHamza KahnChris HsiungMike VardyBonnie Low-KramenBailey ParnellMeredith BellStacy ShermanMaureen McCannIan FossRichard HalliburtonKate NasserLeslie O'FlahavanDr. Angela StopperRob VolpeAmii Barnard-BahnHey! 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 leadership, even the best-intentioned among us can fall into the trap of making assumptions, often without realizing it. This week, we’re diving into a common leadership pitfall: the arrogant assumption. Inspired by Jacqueline Novogratz's Manifesto for a Moral Revolution, I explore how these assumptions can impact our teams, business relationships, and organizational culture.From dismissing ideas without consideration to believing we know better than others, these assumptions communicate an unintended arrogance. We’ll break down ten common ways this behavior can show up, how it diminishes innovation and psychological safety, and why it's crucial to replace arrogance with curiosity and moral imagination.I’ll also share some of my own leadership moments where assumptions got in the way of growth. We all want to lead well, but it’s vital to align our intentions with our impact. In a future episode, we’ll explore practical ways to address assumptions, but first, don’t miss our special 200th episode celebration next week! See you then!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, Russel Lolacher welcomes leadership and employee strategist Marc Haine to dive deep into one of the most important but overlooked aspects of leadership: guiding your team through their employee journey. Marc shares personal stories and invaluable insights on why leaders must shift from being mere managers to becoming true coaches, supporting their team at every milestone. From onboarding to creating workplace ambassadors, Marc explains how journey mapping and continuous support can transform your corporate culture and boost employee engagement. If you’re a leader looking to inspire and retain top talent, this episode will equip you with practical tools and fresh perspectives to ensure your team thrives.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

Is the traditional leadership culture broken? In this episode, we explore the fractured state of leadership from the executive level to emerging leaders. Learn why organizations reward productivity over people skills and discover how leaders at every level can take control and redefine what leadership truly means for a thriving workplace culture. Empower yourself to become the leader your team needs.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, Russel chats with executive coach, author, and international speaker Michele Molitor on avoiding the dangers of pursuing perfection as leaders.Michele shares her insights and experience on...Perfection is personal and subjective.Embracing imperfections is healthier.Perfectionism as a trauma response.Striving for excellence vs. toxic perfectionism.Vulnerability as a strength.Self-awareness of personal motivators improves 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

Are you tired of surface-level solutions to deep-seated workplace issues? In this episode, we dive into why traditional reactions like reprimanding a bad boss or throwing pizza lunches at disengaged employees only address symptoms, not the disease. Discover how focusing on root causes—like toxic cultures, poor management practices, and systemic flaws—can lead to genuine, lasting change. We’ll explore real examples, from high turnover to low engagement, and share actionable strategies like Root Cause Analysis and data-driven decision-making to help leaders dig deeper and create a truly impactful workplace. Stop the quick fixes and start making a real difference.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