Relationships at Work - a trust-driven leadership podcast
Relationships at Work - the leadership podcast helping you build workplace connection, improve culture, and avoid blind spots. A relatable and honest show on leadership, organizational culture and soft skills, focusing on improving employee engagement and company culture to inspire people to apply, stay and thrive. Because no one wants leadership that fosters toxic environments at work, nor should they. Host, speaker and communications leader Russel Lolacher shares his experience and insights, discussing the leadership and corporate culture topics that matter with global experts help us with the success of our organizations (regardless of industry). This show will give you the information, education, strategies and tips you need to avoid leadership blind spots, better connect with all levels of our organization, and develop the necessary soft skills that are essential to every organization. From leadership development and training to employee satisfaction to diversity, inclusivity, equity and belonging to personalization and engagement... there are so many aspects and opportunities to build great relationships at work This is THE place to start and nurture our leadership journey and create an amazing workplace.
Episodes
In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher speaks with no-BS leadership coach and culture consultant Adrian Koehler about why great performers often struggle to become great leaders.
Adrian explores the shift from doing the work to creating the conditions for others to succeed, including the risks of control, assumption-based leadership, unclear agreements, and avoiding hard conversations. A candid look at what c...
What if leadership was never meant to be a solo act?
In this episode of Relationships at Work, host and leadership/communication expert Russel Lolacher speaks with executive team coach, keynote speaker, author, and founder of Ferrazzi Greenlight, Keith Ferrazzi, about why the future of leadership depends less on individual authority and more on the strength of the team around us.
Keith shares insights from his book Never Lead Alone: ...
In this episode of Relationships at Work, host and leadership expert Russel Lolacher speaks with business leader, speaker, CEO and author Rick Yvanovich on how purpose can help leaders and organizations navigate constant change.
Rick shares why purpose is more than a goal, how the post-COVID workplace has reshaped our relationship with work, and why organizations need to make purpose real through clarity, equity, and action. The con...
In this solo episode of Relationships at Work, host and leadership/communication expert Russel Lolacher explores why the words leaders use when things go wrong matter more than we think.
A problem, challenge, and opportunity can all be useful terms — but they are not always interchangeable. Russel looks at how well-intended positivity can sometimes dilute urgency, dismiss employee reality, or create a culture where people feel they ...
What makes employees truly buy into their work, their team, and their organization?
In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher talks with business strategist, leadership coach, and author Dave Garrison about what drives employee buy-in and why so many teams slide into disengagement. Dave shares why leaders often unintentionally shut people down, how curiosity and vulnerability create stronger connection, and what...
In this solo episode of Relationships at Work, host and leadership expert Russel Lolacher explores the difference between risk aversion and risk awareness — and why playing it safe can quietly damage trust, engagement, innovation, and culture.
Russel shares how leaders can move beyond fear-based decision-making by asking better questions, challenging assumptions, and creating space for thoughtful experimentation. Because doing nothi...
What if better leadership isn’t found in management books, but in nature itself?
In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher talks with executive coach and author Kelly Wendorf about what leaders can learn from nature to build healthier teams and stronger workplace cultures. Drawing from her book Flying Lead Change, Kelly shares insights on trust, psychological safety, curiosity, conflict, and why thriving leaders...
Saying yes isn’t leadership.
In this episode, Russel Lolacher explores the hidden cost of constant agreement — and how it impacts your team’s capacity, priorities, and performance. Learn how to stay collaborative, set boundaries, and make better decisions about when to say yes… and when not to.
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What does conscious leadership actually look like at work?
In this episode, Russel Lolacher talks with coaches Trevor Stevenson and Dale Allen of Conscious Lead Life about self-awareness, triggers, power, and how leaders can show up with more intention, care, and impact.
If you want to lead without overpowering others or operating on autopilot, this conversation is for you.
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- Sign Up for R@...
A single phrase overheard on a podcast stopped Russel mid-step — and it's been on his desk ever since.
In this episode, communications and leadership veteran Russel Lolacher explores how swapping two small words can shift you from feeling buried by your day to actually owning it.
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What actually motivates people at work?
In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel Lolacher talks with leadership advisor, researcher, and The Motivation Mix co-author James Root about why motivation isn’t one-size-fits-all. James shares how outdated workplace assumptions continue to shape leadership, talent, and team dynamics — and why understanding what truly drives people is essential to building healthier cultures and bet...
We hear it all the time in leadership: “You can’t over-communicate.” But that’s not always true. In this solo episode of Relationships at Work, Russel Lolacher explores how too much communication can feel patronizing, overwhelming, or even damaging to trust. This episode looks at why great leadership communication isn’t about repetition for repetition’s sake—it’s about reading the room, understanding your audience, and adapting you...
In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel Lolacher talks with Karl Staib, founder of Systematic Leader, about why leadership needs more than good intentions. They explore how better systems shape habits, improve communication, strengthen accountability, and create healthier workplace cultures.
And connect with me for more great content!
What if the way we measure leadership is completely off?
In this solo episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher challenges the usual focus on KPIs, deadlines, and delivery—and asks what really matters. Trust, growth, values, and the impact we leave on people may be the real leadership scorecard.
And connect with me for more great content!
In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel Lolacher speaks with Alejandra Ramirez, founder of Ready Cultures, about why internal communication often fails in organizations.
They discuss how misaligned messaging damages workplace culture, why clarity matters in leadership communication, and how Alejandra’s Head–Heart–Hands framework helps leaders communicate what’s happening, why it matters, and what teams should do next.
And co...
Most meetings focus on tasks, updates, and deadlines. Others focus on people, growth, and trust. Both are necessary—but they serve very different purposes.
In this solo episode of Relationships at Work, Russel Lolacher explores the difference between management meetings and leadership meetings, and why leaders need to be intentional about which one they’re running.
Management meetings help move the work forward.
Leadership meeti...
Leaders often complain about their teams — disengaged employees, poor performance, difficult conversations.
But what if the real issue isn’t the team?
In this episode, Russel sits down with leadership expert David Dilger to explore how leaders shape the behavior, performance, and culture of their teams — often without realizing it.
They discuss why avoiding tough conversations hurts everyone involved, how focusing on observable behavi...
Some of the most damaging leaders aren’t the obvious tyrants. They’re the ones celebrated on stages, praised in boardrooms, and admired on LinkedIn.
In this solo episode, Russel Lolacher explores how performative leadership can hide behind recognition, results, and a polished public image. He challenges leaders to look beyond awards and social media presence to examine the real impact leaders have on their teams.
Because leadership i...
What if conflict isn’t the problem — but the engine of innovation?
In this episode, innovation expert Jeff DeGraff joins Russel to explore why adaptability isn’t about reacting to change — it’s about embracing ambiguity, practicing paradox, and creating constructive conflict inside your teams.
They discuss:
- Why over-alignment kills innovation
- The difference between reacting and adaptive thinking
- How small experiments build momentum
- W...
Are you leading from values — or reacting to emotions?
In this solo episode, Russel Lolacher explores why values must anchor workplace decisions, culture, and accountability. Empathy matters. But without clear values, leadership becomes mood management.
And connect with me for more great content!
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