Why Leaders Feel Lonely at Work — And What to Do About It

Relationships at Work - the leadership podcast helping you build workplace connection, improve culture, and avoid blind spots.

Leadership can be isolating—even when you're constantly surrounded by people.

In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher speaks with licensed psychologist, executive coach, and TEDx speaker Dr. Adam Dorsay, author of Super Psyched: Unleash the Power of the Four Types of Connection and Live the Life You Love.

They explore why loneliness in leadership is so common, how disconnection silently affects workplace culture, and what organizations can do to foster genuine human connection at work.

Dr. Dorsay brings insights from neuroscience, psychology, and his own work with executives and tech professionals to break down the four types of connection—and how self-connection forms the foundation for psychological safety, belonging, and trust on teams.

🔍 In this episode:

• Why being surrounded by coworkers doesn’t prevent loneliness
• How vulnerability (not oversharing) creates real intimacy at work
• What leaders can do to build stronger, human-centered workplaces
• The danger of ignoring connection as a cultural value
• Why quiet quitting and disengagement are often symptoms of disconnection
• The science behind awe, self-compassion, and relationship-building

Whether you're a senior executive, team lead, or just trying to feel more seen and supported at work, this episode will help you understand why connection is more than a buzzword—it's a business-critical skill.

Hey! If you're enjoying the insights from our guests, you'll love our R@W Notes Newsletter. It’s 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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