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Youâve defined your values. But are you still living them â or just assuming you are?
In this episode of Relationships at Work, we unpack the overlooked side of values in leadership. Not the usual âdefine your top fiveâ â 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 your values at work, why misalignment sneaks up on us, and how self-awareness and situational awareness play a critical role in staying grounded as a leader. Because living out of sync with your values doesnât just affect you â it erodes trust, clarity, and the culture youâre trying to build.
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In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with Sean Vassilaros, CEO and co-founder of Kanny, about whatâs missing from hiringâand itâs not experience or skills. Itâs character.
Sean dives deep into how characterânot personalityâdrives behavior, shapes culture, and ultimately determines long-term success in the workplace. He shares why traditional hiring tools like resumes and references are fundamentally flawed, how peer-driven feedback can bring accountability to both employees and hiring managers, and why data-backed character insights could be the future of leadership and culture.
We talk:
Why 75% of hires are still mis-hiresHow character traits like humility and accountability can be measuredThe rise of âCharacter Intelligenceâ as a cultural north starCreating development plans from day oneWhat Glassdoor reviews reveal about accountabilityOne question you should ask in every work relationshipIf youâve ever made a bad hire, been burned by a toxic teammate, or want to build a team of high-character humansâthis episode is for you.
Hey! If you're enjoying the insights from our guests, you'll love our R@W Notes Newsletter. Itâs packed with guest takeaways, the resources that inspire them, and my own tips on how we as leaders can be better humans for the humans the are responsible for. Go to RelationshipsAtWorkShow.com and Subscribe Now and help the workplace be more human.
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In this episode, we explore the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways curiosity gets shut down in organizationsâand the cultural cost of those missed questions. From assumptions that mask deeper issues to leadership habits that stifle innovation, Russel digs into how curiosity impacts employee retention, decision-making, and growth. Youâll hear real-world examples, warning signs to watch for, and practical ways leaders can model and build a curiosity-driven culture.
Because when curiosity isnât baked into the culture⌠progress gets left behind.
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In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher sits down with renowned business philosopher and bestselling author Anders Indset to unpack the leadership philosophy behind his book The Viking Code: The Art and Science of Norwegian Success.
Anders explores how the values rooted in Norwegian culture have shaped a new model of leadershipâwhere individual excellence and collective support are not at odds, but essential partners. He discusses how self-trust, intrinsic motivation, and brutal honesty can transform workplace relationships and performance. Plus, we dive into the role of ego, the danger of over-optimization, and how to navigate the uncertain future of AI and leadership.
đš In this conversation:
Why leaders must uplift others to elevate themselvesHow Erling Haaland demonstrates Viking Code values on the fieldThe power of subtracting what drains us to build self-trustWhat it means to lead in the âinfinite gameâHow technology and humanity must evolveâtogetherđŹ âIf I uplift others and I wanna be better⌠I will be rewarded.â
This episode challenges what we think we know about leadershipâand inspires us to lead with more purpose, clarity, and connection.
Hey! If you're enjoying the insights from our guests, you'll love our R@W Notes Newsletter. Itâs packed with guest takeaways, the resources that inspire them, and my own tips on how we as leaders can be better humans for the humans the are responsible for. Go to RelationshipsAtWorkShow.com and Subscribe Now and help the workplace be more human.
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As leaders, we often talk about the power of curiosityâbut 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 isnât about egoâitâs about emotional intelligence, active listening, and building a culture where curiosity is welcomed in all directions. Because leadership isnât just about giving answersâitâs about creating space for better ones to emerge.
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Leadership isn't about checking boxes â it's about showing up with intention, clarity, and connection. In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel chats with Pete Steinberg â executive coach, speaker, former national rugby coach, and author of Leadership Shock â to explore the real work behind authentic leadership.
Pete challenges the myths around âbringing your full self to work,â shares how authenticity drives sustainable leadership (and prevents burnout), and reveals why success often leads to leadership shock. He also breaks down the power of feedback loops, relationship-first priorities, and the intentional systems leaders need to grow.
Whether you're climbing into your first leadership role or navigating the C-suite, this conversation is your playbook for aligning who you are with how you lead.
Hey! If you're enjoying the insights from our guests, you'll love our R@W Notes Newsletter. Itâs packed with guest takeaways, the resources that inspire them, and my own tips on how we as leaders can be better humans for the humans the are responsible for. Go to RelationshipsAtWorkShow.com and Subscribe Now and help the workplace be more human.
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Retention is often seen as an elusive workplace metric, but what if it wasnât?
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 possibleâP.E.R.F.O.R.M.âa leadership approach grounded in personal connection, empowerment, and meaningful work. Learn why retention isnât luck but the result of deliberate leadership, and why calling it a "unicorn" completely misses the point.
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Respect isnât just a workplace buzzwordâitâs 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 isnât responsible for fixing workplace cultureâleaders are.
They dive into:
â The difference between civility and real respect
â How leaders unknowingly erode trust in their organizations
â Why toxic cultures thrive when respect is absent
â The simple, daily actions leaders can take to foster respectIf you want to create a workplace where people feel seen, heard, and valued, this episode is a must-listen.
Hey! If you're enjoying the insights from our guests, you'll love our R@W Notes Newsletter. Itâs packed with guest takeaways, the resources that inspire them, and my own tips on how we as leaders can be better humans for the humans the are responsible for. Go to RelationshipsAtWorkShow.com and Subscribe Now and help the workplace be more human.
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A vision and mission statement should be more than just corporate wallpaperâthey should inspire, align, and drive meaningful action. Yet, most employees canât 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 strategy. We explore what makes a great vision and mission statement, how they can transform engagement and decision-making, and the real cost of getting them wrong. If you want your team to care about the work they do, it starts with giving them something worth believing in.
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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:
âď¸ How financial incentives can backfire and create toxic leadership
âď¸ The difference between responsibility and accountability in leadership
âď¸ Why many employees donât want leadership rolesâand how to change that
âď¸ The real question leaders should ask: If you stopped paying people, would they still follow you?
âď¸ Why "productivity theater" is ruining workplace culture
âď¸ How distributed leadership can fix broken incentive systemsđ§ Tune in for a game-changing conversation on leadership, workplace culture, and what it truly means to inspire others.
đ Subscribe & follow for more episodes on building stronger relationships at work!
Hey! If you're enjoying the insights from our guests, you'll love our R@W Notes Newsletter. Itâs packed with guest takeaways, the resources that inspire them, and my own tips on how we as leaders can be better humans for the humans the are responsible for. Go to RelationshipsAtWorkShow.com and Subscribe Now and help the workplace be more human.
And connect with me for more great content!
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Every job is a communication job. Every leader is a communicatorâwhether 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 workplace culture, we explore how great leaders ensure theyâre communicatingânot just talking. From the power of two-way dialogue to practical ways to measure communication effectiveness, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to improve their leadership impact.
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Leaders often think relationships are built on instincts, but what if theyâre 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 systemsâlike structured feedback loops, proactive communication, and even remembering birthdaysâcan create stronger, more meaningful connections at work.
We dive into:
â Why every relationship already has a system, whether you realize it or not
â How leaders can shift from passive to proactive relationship management
â The power of feedback as a system (and why most leaders fail at it)
â How personal and professional relationships thrive on predictability and intentionBy the end of this conversation, you'll see relationships not as random but as repeatable, improvable systems that can transform workplace culture and leadership success.
đ Listen in and start building better relationship systems today!
Hey! If you're enjoying the insights from our guests, you'll love our R@W Notes Newsletter. Itâs packed with guest takeaways, the resources that inspire them, and my own tips on how we as leaders can be better humans for the humans the are responsible for. Go to RelationshipsAtWorkShow.com and Subscribe Now and help the workplace be more human.
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In this mini-episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher dives into a tough but necessary conversationâwhy 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 forced to "recommend" toxic leaders just to be rid of them. With a simple A.I.M. frameworkâAdmit, Identify, ManageâRussel highlights how leaders and organizations can take responsibility, confront leadership blind spots, and foster real growth. Itâs time to stop hiding leadership issues and start fixing themâbecause while theyâre under your roof, theyâre your responsibility.
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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 emotionsâlike stress and even angerâserve as vital signals from our nervous system, not weaknesses to suppress. Danielle explains why curiosity is the cornerstone of self-awareness and how leaders can use it to build healthier, more empathetic workplaces.
We explore the myths around stress and burnout, the importance of co-regulation in team dynamics, and why trauma-informed leadership isnât just another buzzwordâitâs a lifelong practice. Danielle also shares practical insights on how leaders can balance empathy with accountability, break free from the "quick-fix" mentality, and truly connect with their teams on a deeper, more human level.
If youâre a leader seeking to foster more meaningful connections while navigating the complexities of modern work, this conversation is for you.
Hey! If you're enjoying the insights from our guests, you'll love our R@W Notes Newsletter. Itâs packed with guest takeaways, the resources that inspire them, and my own tips on how we as leaders can be better humans for the humans the are responsible for. Go to RelationshipsAtWorkShow.com and Subscribe Now and help the workplace be more human.
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New ideas need curiosity, not immediate criticism. As leaders, our role isnât 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 engagementâbuilding a culture where ideas thrive, and teams feel supported in their growth.
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Culture isnât just a set of values on a websiteâitâs 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.
Garrett shares:
âď¸ Why most companies fail at culture (hint: lack of process and accountability)
âď¸ The PPP (P3) framework for integrating culture into daily operations
âď¸ How leadership must move beyond vision statements to reinforce culture in action
âď¸ The role of measurement, accountability, and feedback in building a sustainable culture
âď¸ Why cultural debt is just as dangerous as technical debtâand how to avoid itIf youâve ever wondered how to turn workplace culture from an abstract concept into a measurable, actionable force for success, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in for practical insights and real-world strategies to create a thriving, values-driven workplace.
đ§ Listen now!
Hey! If you're enjoying the insights from our guests, you'll love our R@W Notes Newsletter. Itâs packed with guest takeaways, the resources that inspire them, and my own tips on how we as leaders can be better humans for the humans the are responsible for. Go to RelationshipsAtWorkShow.com and Subscribe Now and help the workplace be more human.
And connect with me for more great content!
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Whatâs your leadership style? Itâs a common question, but the real answer shouldnât 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 approachesâwhether itâs authoritative leadership in a crisis, transactional leadership for goal-driven teams, or servant leadership for collaboration. Sticking to just one limits your impact.
Russel explores how leaders can assess their default style, develop new approaches, and build a more dynamic leadership toolkit. If you want to lead well in any environment, itâs time to expand your skill set.
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Fear, hesitation, and resistanceâwhy 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 shares insights on:
âď¸ The biggest fears leaders have around DEIâand how to overcome them
âď¸ Why diversity isnât just good ethics, but a competitive advantage
âď¸ The importance of embedding DEI into the DNA of an organization, not isolating it
âď¸ How inclusive leadership and equity drive long-term business successDEI isnât a ânice to haveââitâs a necessity. Tune in to learn how organizations that prioritize inclusion not only foster better workplaces but also build resilient, high-performing teams.
đ§ Listen now!
Hey! If you're enjoying the insights from our guests, you'll love our R@W Notes Newsletter. Itâs packed with guest takeaways, the resources that inspire them, and my own tips on how we as leaders can be better humans for the humans the are responsible for. Go to RelationshipsAtWorkShow.com and Subscribe Now and help the workplace be more human.
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Many leaders believe theyâre fostering critical thinking and empowerment when they say, âDonât come to me with problems, come to me with solutions.â 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 is flawed and how it can unintentionally harm workplace culture. Weâll discuss:
âď¸ The hidden downsides of requiring employees to always have solutions
âď¸ How it limits collaboration and suppresses real problem-solving
âď¸ A better way to empower teams without creating unnecessary pressureInstead of shutting down conversations, letâs build a culture of trust, support, and innovation. Tune in to learn how.
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Confidence in leadership isnât about having all the answersâitâs about knowing when you donât.
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, not a weakness. We also discuss how confident leaders protect their teams, why saying âI donât knowâ can actually build credibility, and the small habits that create lasting confidence.
Whether you're a new leader or a seasoned executive, this conversation will challenge your assumptions about confidence and give you actionable steps to lead with authenticity. Tune in now!
Hey! If you're enjoying the insights from our guests, you'll love our R@W Notes Newsletter. Itâs packed with guest takeaways, the resources that inspire them, and my own tips on how we as leaders can be better humans for the humans the are responsible for. Go to RelationshipsAtWorkShow.com and Subscribe Now and help the workplace be more human.
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