Relationships at Work - a trust-driven leadership podcast

Hosted by Russel Lolacher

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Episodes

396

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

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.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 9, 2026Episode 37946 min

How to Build a Better Feedback Culture

Feedback should help people grow, not make them defensive. In this episode, host Russel chats with HR expert and leadership coach Carolyn Troyan about what healthy feedback cultures look like, why trust and psychological safety matter, and how leaders can shift from giving advice to coaching better conversations. They also explore peer feedback, cultural differences, people leadership and why feedback works best when it becomes part of everyday work—not an annual event. 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

July 27, 2026Episode 37844 min

Why Strong Workplace Relationships Are Built, Not Collected

In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher speaks with executive coach and leadership expert Payal Nanjiani about what it really takes to build meaningful relationships at work. They explore why networking becomes ineffective when it is transactional, how trust is strengthened through consistency and vulnerability, and why leaders need relationships across every level of an organization. Payal also shares how self-awareness, boundaries and genuine curiosity can help people move beyond simply making contacts to building connections that support better leadership, stronger teams and long-term career growth. 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

July 20, 2026Episode 37752 min

How Accidental Managers Become Intentional Leaders

In this episode of Relationships at Work , host Russel Lolacher speaks with keynote speaker, author and workplace expert Joel Hilchey about why so many people become managers without being prepared to lead. Joel explains how accidental managers are created, the habits that can quietly damage teams, and why good intentions are not enough. They discuss feedback, career development, values, accountability, team performance and the importance of becoming more deliberate about how you lead. The conversation also explores what managers can do to remove barriers, support high performers, share credit and take responsibility when things go wrong. 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

July 14, 2026Episode 37650 min

How Intentional Communication Builds Influence at Work

In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher speaks with business communication expert, sports broadcaster, and author Jen Mueller about how leaders can communicate with more intention, clarity, and influence. Jen shares what decades in professional sports taught her about asking better questions, building trust through small moments, and making conversations easier for others. Russel and Jen explore why communication is often the difference-maker in high-performing teams, how leaders can be clearer about expectations and outcomes, and why everyday interactions can strengthen workplace relationships over time. 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

July 7, 2026Episode 37546 min

Defining Leadership’s Role in Cultural Transformation

In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher speaks with leadership strategist and executive coach Andrea Wanerstrand about the role leaders play in making cultural transformation real. They explore how autonomy, accountability, trust, emotional regulation, and everyday leadership behaviours shape workplace culture—and why transformation succeeds or fails in the micro moments. 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

June 29, 2026Episode 37450 min

How Clarity Empowers Employees

In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher speaks with HR executive advisor and People Leader Accelerator co-founder Andrew Bartlow about why clarity is essential to employee empowerment and organizational success. Andrew explains how vague goals create competing priorities, why leaders need to translate direction into meaningful choices, and how HR can help organizations communicate what matters most. They also explore the role of self-awareness, two-way communication, and personal agency in creating greater clarity at every level. 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

June 22, 2026Episode 37347 min

How Your Worldview Shapes Your Leadership

In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher speaks with leadership trainer, coach, and keynote speaker Barbara Boselli about how our worldview influences the way we lead, communicate, and respond to others. They explore how assumptions become stories, why curiosity helps prevent unnecessary conflict, how leaders can separate facts from interpretations, and what it takes to create greater psychological safety within a team. 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

June 15, 2026Episode 37252 min

Why Workplace Values Fail — And How Leaders Can Fix Them

In this episode of Relationships at Work , host Russel Lolacher speaks with Yvonne Jackson about why workplace values should be practical decision-making tools—not aspirational words on a wall. They explore how leaders can connect values to behaviours, boundaries, accountability, and equity to create clearer team norms and better organizational decisions. 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

June 8, 2026Episode 37153 min

Stop Avoiding Emotions at Work

Emotions are already shaping the workplace, whether leaders acknowledge them or not. In this episode of Relationships at Work , host and leadership/communication expert Russel Lolacher talks with emotional intelligence leadership coach Jamelle Lindo about emotional empowerment, emotional avoidance, and why so many workplace challenges are emotion-based beneath the surface. Jamelle shares how leaders can build emotional self-awareness, strengthen team relationships, and create healthier cultures by learning to engage with emotions rather than suppress them. 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

June 1, 2026Episode 37056 min

Self-Understanding Is the Leadership Work

Leadership does not begin with strategy, authority, or knowing all the answers. It begins with understanding ourselves. In this episode of Relationships at Work , host and leadership expert Russel Lolacher is joined by Margaret Andrews, Harvard instructor, speaker, founder of The Milo Center, and author of Manage Yourself to Lead Others: Why Great Leadership Begins with Self-Understanding . Together, they explore why great leadership requires more than self-awareness — it requires a deeper understanding of the experiences, values, triggers, feedback, and patterns that shape how we show up. Margaret shares how leaders can better recognize their impact, reflect without spiralling into rumination, use feedback as a tool for growth, and understand the difference between adapting to a culture and losing themselves within it. Because if we want to lead others well, we first have to understand who we are, what shaped us, and who we are trying to become. 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