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

Forget the posters and buzzwords—real culture change starts with behavior, not branding. 

In this Relationships at Work episode, Kyle McDowell shares how principle-based leadership can reshape toxic or misaligned cultures by setting consistent expectations for how people work and lead. We explore how to create change at the team level (even without CEO buy-in) and why principles can ripple through an entire organization—and even int...

Great teams don’t just work together—they challenge each other, support each other, and hold each other accountable. In this episode of Relationships at Work, Kyle McDowell explains how embracing challenge and setting clear expectations builds deeper trust, stronger team bonds, and long-term alignment. From confronting resistance to leading by example, this is a masterclass in principle-based team leadership.

And connect with me for...

Leadership isn’t a title—it’s an inner journey. 

In this Relationships at Work episode, Kyle McDowell shares why self-reflection is the essential first step to leading with integrity and impact. We talk about ego, self-awareness, the “mirror of truth,” and how knowing your blind spots isn’t weakness—it’s leadership strength. If you want to lead others, you have to lead yourself first.

And connect with me for more great content!

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What is principle-based leadership—and how is it different from values or mission statements? 

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Kyle McDowell, bestselling author of Begin With We, shares how leaders can gain clarity by establishing a framework for how teams behave, collaborate, and succeed. We explore the origin of his 10 WEs, why clarity fuels accountability, and how leaders can set the tone for excellence—by defining the ...

This is part 1 of 6 of our Workhuman LIVE series. 

In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher is joined by workplace culture and leadership expert Jason Lauritsen to explore the real obstacles leaders face when trying to build meaningful connections at work. From poor relationship training to fear of feedback, Jason breaks down why so many managers get connection wrong—and what to do about it.

We talk about the ro...

This is part 4 of a 4-part series on reputation management with Charlotte Otter, author of We Need New Leaders. Each episode explores a different theme—clarity, self-awareness, team dynamics, and workplace culture.

Culture is shaped by what leaders do—not what’s written on the walls. In this culture-focused conversation, Charlotte Otter joins Russel Lolacher to explore how reputation exposes the health of workplace culture. From soc...

This is part 3 of a 4-part series on reputation management with Charlotte Otter, author of We Need New Leaders. Each episode explores a different theme—clarity, self-awareness, team dynamics, and workplace culture.

Reputation isn’t built behind closed doors—it’s forged in everyday moments with your team. In this episode, Charlotte Otter shares how leaders gain or lose trust through their behavior, and how a bad reputation can create...

This is part 2 of a 4-part series on reputation management with Charlotte Otter, author of We Need New Leaders. Each episode explores a different theme—clarity, self-awareness, team dynamics, and workplace culture.

Before you manage your reputation—know yourself. In this episode, Russel Lolacher and Charlotte Otter explore how self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and personal responsibility form the foundation of a strong leaders...

This is part 1 of a 4-part series on reputation management with Charlotte Otter, author of We Need New Leaders. Each episode explores a different theme—clarity, self-awareness, team dynamics, and workplace culture.

What is reputation in the workplace—and how should leaders define and manage it?
In this clarity-focused episode, Russel Lolacher speaks with Charlotte Otter, reputation strategist and author of We Need New...

Unseen. Unheard. Unappreciated.

It’s the feeling behind the sighs, the silence, and the sudden sick days. And according to research, it’s one of the top reasons employees leave.

In this replay episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher explores the all-too-common experience of feeling undervalued at work—and the leadership blind spots that let it happen. Backed by Gallup and Workhuman data, he shares the nine warning sign...

Conflict doesn’t always show up as yelling matches or angry emails. Sometimes it’s silence in a meeting, a passive-aggressive Slack message, or the word “fine” said through gritted teeth. 

In this replay episode of Relationships at Work, we’re digging into the real roots of workplace conflict—and how to better recognize, prevent, and resolve it.

I’m joined by Carol Bowser, a workplace conflict expert, mediator, speaker, and former em...

In this solo episode, host Russel Lolacher shares a personal and pivotal shift in the Relationships at Work podcast—introducing a new episode format designed to better serve leaders who want to improve workplace culture, build meaningful connections, and avoid leadership blind spots.

You’ll learn the why behind the change, how the show has evolved from a simple curiosity into a transformative leadership resource, and what to expect ...

Leadership can be isolating—even when you're constantly surrounded by people. 

In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher speaks with licensed psychologist, executive coach, and TEDx speaker Dr. Adam Dorsay, author of Super Psyched: Unleash the Power of the Four Types of Connection and Live the Life You Love.

They explore why loneliness in leadership is so common, how disconnection silently affects workplace ...

Leadership can be incredibly lonely—especially when the people above you aren’t actually leading. 

In this solo episode of Relationships at Work, Russel Lolacher explores the hidden loneliness of good leaders and what to do when you're surrounded by hierarchy, but not support.

You'll hear:

• Why great leaders often feel disconnected in toxic or stagnant systems
• The toll of misaligned leadership expectations on mental health
• ...

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 laz...

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&...

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, p...

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 resi...

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....