(From the Relationships at Work podcast) 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 overlooked side of values in leadership. Not the usual “define your top five” — but the deeper, messier question of alignment. Are your values still showing up in how you lead, decide, and interact? Or have they quietly drifted out of sync with your environment… and yourself? This episode explores how to test you...
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(From the Relationships at Work podcast) 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 overlooked side of values in leadership. Not the usual “define your top five” — but the deeper, messier question of alignment. Are your values still showing up in how you lead, decide, and interact? Or have they quietly drifted out of sync with your environment… and yourself? This episode explores how to test you...
(From the Relationships at Work podcast) 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 overlooked side of values in leadership. Not the usual “define your top five” — but the deeper, messier question of alignment. Are your values still showing up in how you lead, decide, and interact? Or have they quietly drifted out of sync with your environment… and yourself? This episode explores how to test you...
(From the Relationships at Work podcast) 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. Empower yourself to become the leader your team needs. If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe and sh...
(From the Relationships at Work podcast) 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 flaws—can lead to genuine, lasting change. We’ll explore real examples, from high turnover to low en...
(From the Relationships at Work podcast) 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 trust. Discover practical steps for handling the unknown with integrity, the impact of transparent co...
From the Relationships at Work podcast 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 and how tools like employee surveys, cultural audits, and direct observation can provide the crucial insigh...
In this episode of Relationships at Work, communications and leadership nerd (and host) Russel Lolacher highlights the importance of prioritizing small gestures before big moments at work. Big events at work are great. It's an opportunity to bring everyone together, connect in new ways, hear from leadership, have presenters sharing new ideas. They're awesome. But without a foundation built through small gestures and regular connection, these efforts will ring hollow. And further hurt t...
In this episode of Relationships at Work, communications and leadership nerd (and host) Russel Lolacher asks us to maintain relationships even through significant change. Change is a part of the work world, whether it's as big as a merger or reorganization of a company or as traditional as moving teams or getting a new job. Great leaders understand that relationships are integral to the employee experience so we have to keep nurturing those connections even if our environments change. Russel...
In this episode of Relationships at Work, communications and leadership nerd (and host) Russel Lolacher explores how leadership should and shouldn't respond to tragedy from their teams. Not so long ago, Russel experienced a personal tragedy, which inspired his curiosity on how leaders and workplace cultures handle those moments. He provides real-world examples of good and bad experiences before highlighting some of the steps great leaders take to pass this tragedy test. Join us as we d...
In this episode from the Relationships at Work podcast, communications and leadership nerd (and host) Russel Lolacher provides a recap of attending Workhuman LIVE in Austin and his favourite takeaways. Russel shares the future of work leadership from Brene Brown, the lessons Baratunde Thurston learned when he discovered his mom wasn't perfect, the importance of intention and impact with considering A.I., how Issa Rae embraces fit for herself and her colleagues, and the frustration of h...
In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with executive coaches and consultants John Volturo and Peter Gandolfo on the challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community at work and steps needed to be more inclusive. John and Peter share their thoughts, stories and experience with... The challenge of the rainbow glass ceiling.Who is responsible for diversity and equity in an organization.What to look for and do to ensure an organization was LGBTQ+ supportive before applying.How organiz...
In this episode of Relationships at Work, communications and leadership nerd (and host) Russel Lolacher shares a story of how dismissive language can happen at work and how we can stop using it. Russel tells the story of how leaders can dismiss employees, even when those employees are being honest and vulnerable, and what that dismissal can actually communicate to the larger organization. Curiosity and awareness can be incredibly helpful in preventing leaders from being dismissive and bette...
In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with leadership development consultant Janet Livingstone on creating connection and culture with remote and hybrid teams. Janet shares her thoughts, stories and experience with... The challenges created by remote and hybrid work.Is resistance to remote work generational?The connection of mental health and remote work.Where to start when learning to engage with remote workers.Why connection is so key for remote teams.How do you connect a ...
In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with keynote speaker, consultant and analyst Justin Robbins on addressing employee apathy in the workplace - as a leader, as an organization and as an individual. Justin shares his thoughts, stories and experience with... The definition of power.How authority and influence play a role in power.Why "leading from the front" is nonsense.How power can prevent an organization from innovating.Why understanding power balance is key to imp...
In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with author and leadership coach-mentor Dr. Stephen Barden on how we can learn to balance power to improve the workplace and the dangers of its misuse. Stephen shares his thoughts, stories and experience with... The definition of power.How authority and influence play a role in power.Why "leading from the front" is nonsense.How power can prevent an organization from innovating.Why understanding power balance is key to improving the...
Same style, same tone, new focus - the employee! Relationships at Work presents Frontline Feedback - Stories from the Employee Journey. Host and storyteller Russel Lolacher shares the real story of Compassion So Counterfeit. In this inaugural tale, we’ll hear the story of Sally, one in which she shares a moment of an outreached hand and a possible safe space for vulnerability but it only leads to shattered confidence and inept leadership. We’ll wrap it up by digging into the emotional impact...
Check out this sneak peek episode of the new podcast RELATIONSHIPS AT WORK - the Employee Experience and Workplace Culture Podcast. Host Russel Lolacher will be discussing important employee engagement, leadership, workplace culture, communication and related topics as it relates to the employee experience. He'll be chatting with amazing guests and digging into the latest research. All to help you learn how best to approach your staff, coworkers, colleagues and day to day life. ...
Customer Experience Storytime host and storyteller Russel Lolacher shares the story of When Stress Meets Service. In this tale, we’ll hear the story of Louis, who in a fit of stress and procrastination, forgot to solve a problem that would cost him more money than he was comfortable spending. We’ll hear about how his service provider chose to address Louis and his problem wrapped in a bundle of frayed nerves. We’ll wrap it up by digging into the emotional impacts, the lessons you can take f...
Customer Experience Storytime host and storyteller Russel Lolacher shares the story of Two Ears, One Mouth, Zero Service. In this tale, we’ll hear the story of Colin and Renee. A couple doing what many couples do, go out to eat. This time however, it left them feeling like their needs didn’t matter and with a bad first impression of a new city. Then we will explore what were the emotional impacts from those actions and the actions or strategies you can take to move your customer relationship...
Customer Experience Storytime host and storyteller Russel Lolacher shares the story of A Service Tier Too Far. In this tale, we’ll hear the story of Sarah. A woman trying to advance her event-driven side hustle with an online ticketing and management system, only to learn their service is not geared towards helping the customer and their ticket holders. Listen to hear how one customer experience could drive someone away to competitors, by making it more difficult than it needed to be,&n...
Customer Experience Storytime host and storyteller Russel Lolacher shares the story of The High Price of Canopy Coverage. In this tale, we’ll hear the story of Jack and his search for a canopy for his pickup truck, his experience with various dealers and how one business responded when the prices differed widely, then we will explore what were the emotional impacts from those actions and the actions or strategies you can take to move your customer relationships forward. If you enj...
(From the Relationships at Work podcast) 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 overlooked side of values in leadership. Not the usual “define your top five” — but the deeper, messier question of alignment. Are your values still showing up in how you lead, decide, and interact? Or have they quietly drifted out of sync with your environment… and yourself? This episode explores how to test you...
