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Podcast by Andrew Grossett
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Relationships at Work - The Leadership Guide to Building Workplace Connections and Avoiding Blind Spots.
Russel Lolacher
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250
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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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 Work, host Russel Lolacher explores what it really means to be open to questions, pushback, and challenges from our teams. This isn’t about ego—it’s about emotional intelligence, active listening, and buil…
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Leadership isn't about checking boxes — it's about showing up with intention, clarity, and connection. In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with Pete Steinberg — executive coach, speaker, former national rugby coach, and author of Leadership Shock — to explore the real work behind authentic leadership. Pete challenges the myths ar…
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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 firsthand experience of leading and retaining the same team for 12 years. He dives into the framework that made it possible—P.E.R.F.O.R.M.—a leadership approach grounded in personal connection, empowerm…
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Respect isn’t just a workplace buzzword—it’s the foundation of trust, engagement, and culture. Yet, too many leaders overlook its impact, mistaking civility for true respect. In this episode, Dr. Gena Cox joins Russel Lolacher to break down why respect is the missing piece in leadership, how it directly affects employee engagement, and why HR isn’t…
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A vision and mission statement should be more than just corporate wallpaper—they should inspire, align, and drive meaningful action. Yet, most employees can’t even recall theirs. In this episode of Relationships at Work, we dive into why so many organizations treat vision and mission as checkboxes rather than powerful tools for motivation and strat…
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In this thought-provoking episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher sits down with Nigel Thurlow, co-creator of The Flow System and former Chief of Agile at Toyota, to break down the hidden dangers of how we incentivize leadership. We discuss: ✔️ How financial incentives can backfire and create toxic leadership ✔️ The difference betwee…
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Every job is a communication job. Every leader is a communicator—whether they realize it or not. But too often, organizations mistake speaking at people for real communication. In this episode, we break down the difference between broadcasting information and fostering true understanding. Drawing from insights on leadership, engagement, and workpla…
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Leaders often think relationships are built on instincts, but what if they’re actually built on systems? In this episode, executive and leadership coach Trevor Timbeck challenges the idea that relationship-building is purely emotional or intuitive. Instead, he breaks down how intentional systems—like structured feedback loops, proactive communicati…
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In this mini-episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher dives into a tough but necessary conversation—why organizations need to stop passing the buck on bad leadership. Russel explores the hidden dangers of shifting problematic leaders to new roles without accountability, the ripple effects on workplace culture, and how teams often feel…
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In this episode of Relationships at Work, Danielle Smeltzer, founder and CEO of Awarely Embodied Leadership, dives deep into the transformative power of trauma-informed leadership. She challenges conventional leadership narratives, revealing how emotions—like stress and even anger—serve as vital signals from our nervous system, not weaknesses to su…
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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, we explore how the right questions can turn ideas into opportunities, while the wrong mindset can stifle progress. Learn how to shift from assumptions and dismissiveness to curiosity and engagement—build…
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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. 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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Fear, 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 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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In 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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In 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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In 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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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 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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In 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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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-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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In 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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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 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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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 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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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 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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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 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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While 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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Join 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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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 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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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 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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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 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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In 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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In 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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