Relationships at Work - a trust-driven leadership podcast

When Success Feels Empty: Realigning Values in High Pressure Careers

08 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is part 2 of a 4-part series on leading through high pressure at work, with licensed psychologist Dr. Janna Koretz. Each episode explores a diffe...

What High Pressure Really Means at Work (And Why We Keep Getting It Wrong)

07 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is part 1 of a 4-part series on leading through high pressure at work, with licensed psychologist Dr. Janna Koretz. Each episode explores a diffe...

Communicating Change Without Losing Trust

04 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Change is constant—but connection doesn’t have to suffer.In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel Lolacher explores how leaders can build ...

How Principles Drive Culture Change

03 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Forget the posters and buzzwords—real culture change starts with behavior, not branding. In this Relationships at Work episode, Kyle McDowell share...

Building Trust and Accountability in Teams

02 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Great teams don’t just work together—they challenge each other, support each other, and hold each other accountable. In this episode of Relationsh...

Leadership Starts with Self-Reflection

01 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Leadership isn’t a title—it’s an inner journey. In this Relationships at Work episode, Kyle McDowell shares why self-reflection is the essentia...

What Is Principle-Based Leadership?

30 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What is principle-based leadership—and how is it different from values or mission statements? In this episode of Relationships at Work, Kyle McDowe...

Why Workplace Connection Fails — And How Leaders Can Fix It

27 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 l...

The Say-Do Gap: What Reputation Reveals About Your Culture

26 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 them...

How Leaders Earn (or Erode) Reputation with Their Teams

25 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 them...

Reputation Starts with You: Self-Awareness in Leadership

24 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 them...

What Reputation Really Means at Work (and Why It Matters for Leaders)

23 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 them...

Warning Signs Your Employees Don’t Feel Valued

19 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 th...

How Leaders Can Prevent and Navigate Conflict at Work

17 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 th...

Why the Relationships at Work Podcast Is Evolving (And What That Means for You)

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this solo episode, host Russel Lolacher shares a personal and pivotal shift in the Relationships at Work podcast—introducing a new episode format...

Why Leaders Feel Lonely at Work — And What to Do About It

10 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Leadership can be isolating—even when you're constantly surrounded by people. In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher s...

Why Great Leaders Feel Alone – And How to Find Community

05 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Leadership can be incredibly lonely—especially when the people above you aren’t actually leading. In this solo episode of Relationships at Work, ...

How New Leaders Can Lead With Intention and Build Culture

03 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 Relat...

Why Great Leaders Rely on Nuance—Not Just Labels Like 'Toxic'

29 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s easy to label. It’s harder to understand.“Our culture is toxic.” “That leader is horrible.” “This system is broken.”But are the...

Old World Wisdom for Modern Leadership w/ Fabrice Desmarescaux

27 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher welcomes Fabrice Desmarescaux — McKinsey partner, leadership advisor, and author of T...

Workhuman LIVE Insights on Leadership, DEI, AI, and Resiliency

22 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

At Workhuman LIVE, experts and thought leaders shared practical insights on the future of work—uncovering hidden potential, redefining psychological...

The Lost Art of Handwritten Leadership w/ Amy Weinland Daughters

20 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Relationships at Work, we’re diving into the almost-forgotten power of handwritten communication with Amy Weinland Daughters, awa...

Talking Isn’t Doing: Why Leadership Needs More Than Words

15 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve all heard it before—promises of change, assurances of action, and commitments to improvement from leaders. But too often, words are mistaken...

Systemizing Inclusion for Lasting Change w/ Inclusion Strategist Amri B. Johnson

13 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Relationships at Work, I sit down with Amri B. Johnson, executive advisor, organizational consultant, and founder of Inclusion Wins...

Expectation vs. Reality: Leading When Leadership Is Missing

08 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 pers...

Why Leaders Need Neuro-Fitness: Building Regulation and Real Impact w/ Mallory Meyer

06 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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-i...

Six Hard Truths About Leadership (After 250 Episodes of Relationships at Work)

01 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After 250 episodes of exploring leadership, workplace culture, and the human side of work, certain truths just won’t stay quiet. In this solo episo...

How Leaders Can Spark Purpose and Inspiration at Work w/ Dr. Alise Cortez

29 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

urpose isn’t a poster on the wall — it’s an everyday practice. In this episode of Relationships at Work, Dr. Alise Cortez joins Russel Lolacher...

Flip the Script: What’s Your Five-Year Plan for Me?

24 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve all heard the classic career question: “What’s your five-year plan?” But in this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher...

Leading Through Complexity: Rewriting the Narrative of Work w/ Graham Abbey

22 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if the way we talk about work is limiting how we lead it?In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher sits down with Graham Abb...

The Cost of Caring Too Much: How to Lead Without Losing Yourself

17 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Caring makes you a better leader. But what happens when it starts to hurt?In this solo episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher explores...

Design the Work, Empower the People: Human-Centered Leadership w/ Derrick Mains

15 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher sits down with Derrick Mains — speaker, consultant, and CEO of The Process Fixer — ...

Are Your Values Still Yours? A Leadership Gut Check

10 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You’ve defined your values. But are you still living them — or just assuming you are?In this episode of Relationships at Work, we unpack the overl...

Character Counts: Rethinking How We Hire and Lead w/ Sean Vassilaros

08 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with Sean Vassilaros, CEO and co-founder of Kanny, about what’s missing from hiring—and it’...

Is Curiosity Missing from Your Workplace Culture?

03 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we explore the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways curiosity gets shut down in organizations—and the cultural cost of those missed ques...

Cracking the Viking Code of Leadership w/ Anders Indset

01 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher sits down with renowned business philosopher and bestselling author Anders Indset to un...

The Leadership Test: Can You Handle Being Challenged?

27 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As leaders, we often talk about the power of curiosity—but what happens when that curiosity is turned on us? In this episode of Relationships at Wo...

Authenticity Is a Practice, Not a Personality Trait w/ Pete Steinberg

25 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Leadership isn't about checking boxes — it's about showing up with intention, clarity, and connection. In this episode of Relationships at...

The P.E.R.F.O.R.M. Playbook: How to Build a Team That Stays

20 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Retention is often seen as an elusive workplace metric, but what if it wasn’t? In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel Lolacher shares his...

Leading with Respect: The Key to Trust, Engagement, and Culture w/ Dr. Gena Cox

18 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Respect isn’t just a workplace buzzword—it’s the foundation of trust, engagement, and culture. Yet, too many leaders overlook its impact, mistak...

Half-Assed Vision, Half-Assed Motivation

13 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A vision and mission statement should be more than just corporate wallpaper—they should inspire, align, and drive meaningful action. Yet, most emplo...

Incentivizing Leadership: Are We Rewarding the Wrong Behaviors? w/ Nigel Thurlow

11 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this thought-provoking episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher sits down with Nigel Thurlow, co-creator of The Flow System and forme...

Is Leadership Speaking or Actually Communicating at Work?

06 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Every job is a communication job. Every leader is a communicator—whether they realize it or not. But too often, organizations mistake speaking at pe...

Building Better Work Relationships Through Systems, Not Guesswork w/ Trevor Timbeck

04 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Leaders often think relationships are built on instincts, but what if they’re actually built on systems? In this episode, executive and leadership ...

Taking A.I.M. at Bad Leadership: Admit, Identify, Manage

27 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this mini-episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher dives into a tough but necessary conversation—why organizations need to stop pas...

How to Practice Trauma-Informed Leadership w/ Danielle Smeltzer

25 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Danielle Smeltzer, founder and CEO of Awarely Embodied Leadership, dives deep into the transformative power ...

Curiosity Over Criticism: How Leaders Can Foster Innovation

20 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

New ideas need curiosity, not immediate criticism. As leaders, our role isn’t to shut down innovation but to guide and refine it. In this episode, ...

How to Truly Operationalize Work Culture w/ Garrett Delph

18 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Culture isn’t just a set of values on a website—it’s the daily actions, behaviors, and processes that shape how an organization truly operates. ...

Why One Leadership Style Will Fail You and Your Team

13 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What’s your leadership style? It’s a common question, but the real answer shouldn’t be just one. In this episode of Relationships at Work, host...

Breaking the Fear of DEI: Why Inclusion is a Business Imperative w/ Toby Mildon

11 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Fear, hesitation, and resistance—why do so many leaders struggle with DEI? In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher sits down...

Why “Bring Me Solutions, Not Problems” Is Not Good Leadership

06 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Many leaders believe they’re fostering critical thinking and empowerment when they say, “Don’t come to me with problems, come to me with solutio...

Confidence Gap: Why Leaders Must Embrace What They Don’t Know w/ Bill Lennan

04 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Confidence in leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about knowing when you don’t. In this episode of Relationships at Work, Bill...

How Leaders Can Avoid Quiet Quitting

30 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Quiet quitting isn’t just an employee behavior—it’s something leaders have been unknowingly doing for years. In this episode of Relationships at...

Relationship-Building Hacks: Confidence, Connection, and Values w/ Susan Ireland

28 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel Lolacher dives into relationship-building hacks with Susan Ireland, executive leadership coach and co...

Defining Success: The Honest Questions Every Leader Must Ask

23 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As leaders, how often do we pause to define success—not for our organizations or teams, but for ourselves? In this episode, we explore the deeply p...

Shifting Mindset: The Key to Transformative Leadership w/ Lisa Sharapata

21 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Relationships at Work, we dive deep into the transformative power of mindset with Lisa Sharapata, Chief Marketing Officer at the Ar...

Stop Babysitting, Start Leading - A Leadership Mindset Shift

16 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ever felt like you’re "babysitting" your team instead of leading them? You’re not alone. Many leaders hit a point of frustration, but th...

Knowing Our Strengths and Weaknesses Changes Everything w/ Anna Nelson

14 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with strengths and development coach Anna Nelson on the importance of knowing our leadership st...

Beyond Quick Fixes: Leading with Long-Term Vision

02 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Leaders often fall into the trap of short-term thinking, sacrificing employee growth and trust for immediate results. In this episode, we dive into w...

Why Hiring Managers Don't Know How to Hire And How to Fix It w/ Allyn Bailey

31 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with talent futurist and keynote speaker Alynn Bailey on why managers don't know how to hi...

The Hidden Cost of Leadership Overlooking Employee Workload

26 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we explore the all-too-common leadership failure of undervaluing dedicated employees and their workloads.Inspired by a personal story...

Busting Innovation Myths: Leadership Lessons w/ Dr. Sam Adeyemi

24 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel Lolacher sits down with Dr. Sam Adeyemi, CEO of Dr. Sam Adeyemi GLC, global leadership consultant, an...

From Now to Next: Leading Through Cultural Awareness

19 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Change is exciting, but it’s also challenging—especially when leaders aim to create a new culture without understanding the one they’ve inherite...

How Leaders Can Help Create High Performing Cultures w/ Chris Dyer

17 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with keynote speaker and author Chris Dyer on the steps leaders need to take to foster high-per...

Gen Z at Work: The Leadership Wake-Up Call

12 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Are Gen Z’s workplace demands really the problem, or is it leadership's resistance to change? In this episode, we break down common stereotype...

How Leaders Can Shift Our Unconscious Bias w/ Sara Taylor

10 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with speaker, author and DEI consultant Sara Taylor on how to shift our unconscious bias filter...

The Leadership Trap: Why 'Working Leaders' Fail to Lead

05 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we dive into the hidden dangers of the "working leader" mindset and its impact on organizations. Why do so many leaders ge...

Embracing Leadership Humility and Crafting an Ego-Free Culture w/ Chris King

03 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with CEO and author Chris King on embracing humility as a leader and crafting an ego-free cultu...

Leaders Will Disappoint – And That’s Okay

28 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Leadership is messy because leaders are human. In this episode, we explore how to navigate the inevitable disappointments of leadership—whether as ...

How to Inspire Employees from the C-Suite w/ Lyndsay Dowd

26 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with coach, speaker, author Lyndsay Dowd on what it takes to inspire employees from the C-Suite...

Why It Is Time to Reinvent Leadership and Where To Start w/ Hamza Kahn

19 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's the last week of Russel's vacation away to celebrate his 50th birthday, so we make one more stop into the Relationships at Work archive...

Why We Need To Take Accessibility More Seriously at Work w/ Stephanie Cadieux

12 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's week two (of three) of Russel's vacation away to celebrate his 50th birthday, so we dig once again into the Relationships at Work archi...

How To Identify and Address Ageism in the Workplace w/ Patti Temple Rocks

05 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

While Russel is off celebrating his 50th birthday, we dig into the Relationships at Work archives. In this episode, Russel chats with author, speaker ...

Beyond the Checkbox: Building a Leadership Learning Plan That Lasts

31 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, host Russel Lolacher tackles  the pervasive issue of "checked-box leadership" in leadership training — when organization...

Why We Should Manage Up to Better Serve Our Teams w/ Roberta Matuson

29 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Roberta Matuson—keynote speaker, executive coach, and author of seven influential books on leadership ...

Spotting the Signs: How to Recognize Employees Who Feel Undervalued

24 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher shares key insights and observations about one of the most common challenges in the wor...

Addressing Disconnection Between The C-Suite And Frontline w/ Morgan Williams

22 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 Cons...

Unlocking Moral Imagination: Leadership Beyond Assumption

17 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we dive into the concept of moral imagination as an antidote to the arrogant assumptions that can easily creep into leadership. Inspi...

Why Leaders Need to Invest in Stay Interviews w/ Matt Verlaque

15 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 y...

Leadership Lessons Learned From 200 Episodes

10 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve hit a major milestone—200 episodes! Since launching Relationships at Work in January 2022, it's been an incredible journey, evolving fr...

Add Humanity - Experts Share Lessons From Their Leadership Stories

08 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 fe...

Leadership Checkin - Being Aware of Our Arrogant Assumptions

03 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Why Leaders Need To Join Their Employee’s Journey w/ Marc Haine

01 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel Lolacher welcomes leadership and employee strategist Marc Haine to dive deep into one of the most imp...

Is Leadership Broken? Redefining Leadership for Future Success

26 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Is the traditional leadership culture broken? In this episode, we explore the fractured state of leadership from the executive level to emerging leade...

How to Avoid The Dangers of Pursuing Perfection w/ Michele Molitor

24 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with executive coach, author, and international speaker Michele Molitor on avoiding the dangers...

Beyond the Quick Fix: Tackling Leadership’s Root Problems

19 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Are you tired of surface-level solutions to deep-seated workplace issues? In this episode, we dive into why traditional reactions like reprimanding a...

Write Like a Leader: How To Be More Impactful In Our Written Communication w/ Grace Aldridge Foster

17 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with senior instructor and principle at Bold Type consultancy Grace Aldridge Foster on how lead...

Leading with Truth: Embracing ‘I Don’t Know’

12 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In a world where leaders often feel pressured to have all the answers, it’s easy to fall into the trap of faking it. But what if the real power of l...

Building A Sales Team Through A Sports Philosophy w/ Dre Baldwin

10 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with author, speaker and former pro athlete Dre Baldwin on the benefits of having a sports phil...

Knowing Where We Stand: The Key to Shaping Our Work Culture

05 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Before you can build the work culture you envision, do you truly understand the culture you have now? In this episode of Relationships at Work, we exp...

Immigrant Leadership: The Key to Innovation and Cultural Transformation w/ Ukeme Awakessien Jeter

03 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with author, mayor and lawyer Ukeme Awakessien Jeter on the importance of embracing immigrant l...

Why Embracing Past Legacies is Essential for Leading a New Team

29 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How can new leaders earn trust from day one? In this episode of Relationships at Work, host and leadership expert Russel Lolacher dives into the impor...

How to Cultivate Leadership Resilience and Brilliance with Simon Bailey

27 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with author, keynote speaker, research and success coach Simon Bailey on what it takes for lead...

Leadership's Quiet Sabotage: How Inaction Shapes the Workplace

22 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when leaders do nothing? In this episode, host Russel Lolacher exposes the silent damage caused by leadership inaction and its profound i...

How To Harness The Emotional Power of Change Enthusiasm w/ Cassandra Worthy

20 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with speaker, author and change enthusiast Cassandra Worthy on how we can embrace difficult emo...

Why Respect Outshines Professionalism in Today's Workplace

15 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What if being 'professional' is actually holding your workplace back? In this episode, host Russel Lolacher challenges the traditional norms...

How to Establish and Build Connection in the Workplace w/ Morag Barrett

13 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with author, executive coach and leadership expert  Morag Barrett on how to establish and buil...

Showing Respect - Everyone's Time Is Valuable

08 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Is your leadership style disrespecting your team's time? In this episode, host Russel Lolacher reveals the subtle ways leaders overlook others&ap...

Breaking Barriers: Mastering Change in Resistant Industries w/ Tim Lupinacci

06 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with the chairman and chief executive officer of Baker Donelson, Tim Lupinacci on managing chan...

Do Not Forget The OTHER Executive Presence

01 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What if executive presence is less about fitting a mold and more about how leaders truly show up? In this episode, host Russel Lolacher challenges the...