Our mission is to continue the big conversations about self-leadership, agility and compassionate communication in order to support positive transformations in our worlds of education, social entrepreneurship and business.
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Relationships at Work - The Leadership Guide to Building Workplace Connections and Avoiding Blind Spots.
Russel Lolacher
Relationships at Work - your leadership guide to building workplace connections and avoiding 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 lea ...
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This is not your ordinary technical talk show for IT people! Introducing Chris and Kevin, your TechExec Duo, here to help business leaders, managers, and executives understand important technology concepts without the technical jargon. By day, the Duo runs an IT service provider helping thousands of users throughout the United States operate with various technologies. This show brings what they've learned about business and technology to you in order to help you make better decisions about t ...
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How to Truly Operationalize Work Culture w/ Garrett Delph
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52:15Culture 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. In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher sits down with Garrett Delph, founder and CEO of Clarity Ops, to dive deep into how to operationalize culture in a way that actually works. Gar…
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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 Russel Lolacher challenges the idea of rigid leadership styles and explains why adaptability is key to leading effectively. Different situations call for different approaches—whether it’s authoritative lead…
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Breaking the Fear of DEI: Why Inclusion is a Business Imperative w/ Toby Mildon
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53:58Fear, hesitation, and resistance—why do so many leaders struggle with DEI? In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher sits down with Toby Mildon, diversity and inclusion architect and author of Inclusive Growth, to break down the misconceptions, challenges, and real business benefits of embedding DEI into workplace culture. Toby…
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Many leaders believe they’re fostering critical thinking and empowerment when they say, “Don’t come to me with problems, come to me with solutions.” But in reality, this approach can stifle innovation, discourage vulnerability, and create barriers between leaders and their teams. In this episode of Relationships at Work, we explore why this mindset…
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Confidence Gap: Why Leaders Must Embrace What They Don’t Know w/ Bill Lennan
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42:20Confidence 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 Lennan, leadership consultant and founder of 40 Percent Better, breaks down what true leadership confidence looks like, how mental models shape our ability to lead, and why vulnerability is a trust-builder, n…
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Quiet quitting isn’t just an employee behavior—it’s something leaders have been unknowingly doing for years. In this episode of Relationships at Work, we explore what happens when leaders disengage, doing only the minimum required without investing in their teams, vision, or culture. We focus on practical steps to help leaders stay engaged: reconne…
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Relationship-Building Hacks: Confidence, Connection, and Values w/ Susan Ireland
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48:49In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel Lolacher dives into relationship-building hacks with Susan Ireland, executive leadership coach and co-founder of Seasons Leadership. Susan reveals her proven strategies for strengthening workplace connections, including her "inside-out" and "outside-in" approaches to building trust and confidence. Fr…
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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 personal nature of success and the critical questions leaders must ask to align their actions with their values. From building team culture to balancing productivity and people, we dive into the trade-off…
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Shifting Mindset: The Key to Transformative Leadership w/ Lisa Sharapata
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42:55In this episode of Relationships at Work, we dive deep into the transformative power of mindset with Lisa Sharapata, Chief Marketing Officer at the Arbinger Institute. Lisa shares her insights on how leadership mindset drives behavior, shapes organizational culture, and creates lasting impact. From the power of vulnerability and self-awareness to f…
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Ever felt like you’re "babysitting" your team instead of leading them? You’re not alone. Many leaders hit a point of frustration, but that feeling is a signal—an opportunity for reflection and growth. In this episode, we explore why some leaders feel this way, what it says about their leadership approach, and, most importantly, how to shift from mi…
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Knowing Our Strengths and Weaknesses Changes Everything w/ Anna Nelson
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48:40In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with strengths and development coach Anna Nelson on the importance of knowing our leadership strengths and weakness and its benefit to our teams. Anna shares her thoughts and insights on... Strengths are what energize you, not just what you're good at. We can learn skills, but that doesn't make…
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Leaders often fall into the trap of short-term thinking, sacrificing employee growth and trust for immediate results. In this episode, we dive into why being "too busy" is no excuse for neglecting your team’s long-term potential. Discover how quick fixes can backfire, leading to turnover, disengagement, and a toxic culture—and explore the transform…
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Why Hiring Managers Don't Know How to Hire And How to Fix It w/ Allyn Bailey
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53:36In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with talent futurist and keynote speaker Alynn Bailey on why managers don't know how to hire, and how to help them. Allyn shares her insights and experience with... Empathy and first impressions are crucial. The hiring process is highly complex and often improvised. Consistency in assessment is…
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In this episode, we explore the all-too-common leadership failure of undervaluing dedicated employees and their workloads. Inspired by a personal story of one woman who carried an unsustainable workload without recognition or support, we learn what happens when leadership waits for employees to quit before addressing systemic issues. We’ll discuss …
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Busting Innovation Myths: Leadership Lessons w/ Dr. Sam Adeyemi
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52:18In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel Lolacher sits down with Dr. Sam Adeyemi, CEO of Dr. Sam Adeyemi GLC, global leadership consultant, and author of Shifts: Six Steps to Transform Your Mindset and Elevate Your Leadership. Together, they tackle the myths of innovation and explore what it truly takes to lead transformative change. Sam sh…
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Change is exciting, but it’s also challenging—especially when leaders aim to create a new culture without understanding the one they’ve inherited. In this episode, we explore a story of leadership missteps and their lessons, featuring a tale of two Prime Ministers and the impact of mismatched visions and teams. We’ll discuss how leaders can bridge …
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How Leaders Can Help Create High Performing Cultures w/ Chris Dyer
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42:40In 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-performing cultures. Chris shares his insights and experience with.... High-performing cultures require intentionality High-performing cultures do not equate to overworking employees. Proactive leadershi…
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Are Gen Z’s workplace demands really the problem, or is it leadership's resistance to change? In this episode, we break down common stereotypes about Gen Z and reveal how adaptability, transparency, and inclusivity can transform generational challenges into opportunities for growth. Maybe the real question isn’t about them—it’s about us. And connec…
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How Leaders Can Shift Our Unconscious Bias w/ Sara Taylor
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48:40In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with speaker, author and DEI consultant Sara Taylor on how to shift our unconscious bias filters. Sara shares her insights and experience with key takeaways: Unconscious filters control most decisions and behaviors. Disconnect between intent and impact in workplace interactions. Bias isn't just…
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In this episode, we dive into the hidden dangers of the "working leader" mindset and its impact on organizations. Why do so many leaders get bogged down in tasks, leaving no space for strategy, vision, or empathy? We explore how this approach leads to burnout, inefficiency, and short-term thinking—and what organizations can do to redefine leadershi…
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Embracing Leadership Humility and Crafting an Ego-Free Culture w/ Chris King
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46:52In 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 culture for your employees. Chris shares her insights and experience with... Success is a team effort. Humility drives growth. Leveraging individual strengths, not titles. Humility is key to team building.…
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Leadership is messy because leaders are human. In this episode, we explore how to navigate the inevitable disappointments of leadership—whether as the one leading or the one being led. From missed expectations to tough decisions, we'll unpack why these moments happen, how to build trust through self-awareness and accountability, and how to foster u…
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How to Inspire Employees from the C-Suite w/ Lyndsay Dowd
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51:23In 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 of an organization. Lyndsay shares her experience and insights on... Inspiration comes from empowerment, not micromanagement. Tailoring leadership through listening. Power of vulnerability and transp…
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Why It Is Time to Reinvent Leadership and Where To Start w/ Hamza Kahn
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48:45It'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 archives. In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with academic and best-selling author Hamza Khan on the importance of reinventing leadership to improve the workplace and the employee experience. Hamza…
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Why We Need To Take Accessibility More Seriously at Work w/ Stephanie Cadieux
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39:23It'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 archives. In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with Canada’s first Chief Accessibility Officer Stephanie Cadieux on the importance and benefits of embracing an accessible workplace. Stephanie share…
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How To Identify and Address Ageism in the Workplace w/ Patti Temple Rocks
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47:48While Russel is off celebrating his 50th birthday, we dig into the Relationships at Work archives. In this episode, Russel chats with author, speaker and age inclusivity advocate Patti Temple Rocks on ageism in the workplace, what it looks like and how to address it. Patti shares her insights and experience with: What is ageism and being ageist in …
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In this episode, host Russel Lolacher tackles the pervasive issue of "checked-box leadership" in leadership training — when organizations send employees to leadership programs without a strategic plan for continued growth. Education and professional development are vital, but without follow-up, support, and real opportunities to apply new skills, t…
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Why We Should Manage Up to Better Serve Our Teams w/ Roberta Matuson
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44:09Join us for an enlightening conversation with Roberta Matuson—keynote speaker, executive coach, and author of seven influential books on leadership and talent management, including "Can We Talk? Seven Principles for Managing Difficult Conversations at Work" and the latest edition of "Suddenly in Charge: Managing Up, Managing Down, Succeeding All Ar…
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In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher shares key insights and observations about one of the most common challenges in the workplace—employees feeling undervalued. We highlight the critical signs leaders should be aware of, from disengagement to burnout, and offer practical steps to address these issues. Join us as we explor…
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Addressing Disconnection Between The C-Suite And Frontline w/ Morgan Williams
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48:25In 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 r…
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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 discus…
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Why Leaders Need to Invest in Stay Interviews w/ Matt Verlaque
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50:57In 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 fulfillment Candid communication builds strong teams. Frequent one-on-ones create conti…
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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, …
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Add Humanity - Experts Share Lessons From Their Leadership Stories
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58:56In 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 …
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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 relationshi…
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Why Leaders Need To Join Their Employee’s Journey w/ Marc Haine
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45:25In 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 t…
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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. E…
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How to Avoid The Dangers of Pursuing Perfection w/ Michele Molitor
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49:04In 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. St…
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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 fla…
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Write Like a Leader: How To Be More Impactful In Our Written Communication w/ Grace Aldridge Foster
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54:08In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with senior instructor and principle at Bold Type consultancy Grace Aldridge Foster on how leaders can be more impactful writers and build connection with their teams. Grace shares her insights and experience with... Thoughtful communication in leadership writing. Writing as a model for expecta…
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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 leadership lies in admitting when you don't know? In this episode, we tackle the toxic advice many leaders receive—lie if you don’t know—and why embracing vulnerability is the key to building genuine tru…
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Building A Sales Team Through A Sports Philosophy w/ Dre Baldwin
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46:06In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with author, speaker and former pro athlete Dre Baldwin on the benefits of having a sports philosophy when engaging a team in the workplace. Dre shares his insights and experience on... Team dynamics mirror sports teams. Caution against "family" culture. The role of competition in the workplace…
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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 explore the importance of taking a hard look at your current organizational environment before setting future goals. Using real-life examples, we discuss why leaders often fail to transform their teams a…
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Immigrant Leadership: The Key to Innovation and Cultural Transformation w/ Ukeme Awakessien Jeter
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44:30In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with author, mayor and lawyer Ukeme Awakessien Jeter on the importance of embracing immigrant leadership in the workplace. Ukeme shares her insights and experience in... The unique leadership skills of immigrants. Intersectionality in DEI and bias. ImmiGrit as a concept. Transformative resilien…
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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 importance of honoring past legacies when joining a team. Whether you're stepping into a new role or leading an established group, understanding the history behind their successes and challenges is key to …
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How to Cultivate Leadership Resilience and Brilliance with Simon Bailey
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26:26In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with author, keynote speaker, research and success coach Simon Bailey on what it takes for leadership resilience and brilliance. Simon shares his insights and experience in... Resilience is a double-edged sword. Brilliance is a necessary compliment to resilience in leadership. Generational diff…
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What happens when leaders do nothing? In this episode, host Russel Lolacher exposes the silent damage caused by leadership inaction and its profound impact on workplace culture. Though it is often said that work culture is the sum of words said and actions taken, it is actually missing the bigger picture. Inaction has as much impact on our workplac…
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How To Harness The Emotional Power of Change Enthusiasm w/ Cassandra Worthy
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28:11In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with speaker, author and change enthusiast Cassandra Worthy on how we can embrace difficult emotions and harness the power of change enthusiasm. Cassandra shares her experience and insights in... Emotional awareness as a foundation for change. Opportunity for change in adversity. Resilience is …
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What if being 'professional' is actually holding your workplace back? In this episode, host Russel Lolacher challenges the traditional norms and reveals why respect, not rigid professionalism, is the key to a thriving, diverse workplace. The idea of professionalism is usually about aligning behaviours, dress codes, communication styles and work eth…
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How to Establish and Build Connection in the Workplace w/ Morag Barrett
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44:35In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with author, executive coach and leadership expert Morag Barrett on how to establish and build workplace connections. Morag shares her insights and experience in.. The importance of trust in work relationships. Building and recognizing connection. Loneliness in leadership is a real issue. Inten…
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