Relationship Equity cover art

Relationship Equity

Relationship Equity

By: Richard Walker
Listen for free

About this listen

 Do you want to learn how to build lasting and meaningful relationships in your personal and professional life? Do you want to hear from successful leaders who have positively impacted thousands of lives with their vision and values? Do you want to discover the power of Relationship Equity, a principle that can transform your career and your happiness? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you need to listen to Relationship Equity with Richard Walker, a podcast that explores the stories and insights of people who have mastered the art of connecting with others. In each episode, Richard Walker, the CEO of York Solutions a prominent IT consulting firm, sits down with guests who have made a positive difference in the world through their work, their passion, or their generosity. Relationship Equity is more than just a podcast. It’s a movement. It’s a mindset. It’s a way of living that can enrich your life and the lives of those around you. Join Richard Walker and his guests as they inspire you to invest in your relationships and reap the rewards of Relationship Equity. Subscribe today and don’t miss an episode!Forbes Books Economics
Episodes
  • Beyond Code: How Curiosity & Relationships Forge Top Tech Leaders with Jim Graham & Melissa Flicek (Part One)

    Beyond Code: How Curiosity & Relationships Forge Top Tech Leaders with Jim Graham & Melissa Flicek (Part One)
    Jun 23 2025
    Join Richard Walker for an unfiltered conversation with two visionary technology executives—Melissa Flicek and Jim Graham—as they dissect the non-technical traits that propelled them to CIO/CTO-level success. Rejecting outdated "techie in the corner" stereotypes, Melissa reveals how her "million questions" philosophy and passion for talent development drove innovation, while Jim shares why sitting in the "right chair at the right time" (paired with radical humility) unlocked transformative opportunities. Together, they unpack why curiosity isn’t innate—it’s cultivated through discomfort, personal development plans, and shadowing customer service teams to uncover automation goldmines.

    Discover why authentic leadership means discussing Real Housewives in the boardroom (Melissa’s signature move) and treating relationships as "the long game" where high "say-do ratios" build unshakeable trust. Learn Jim’s framework for dissecting business levers before deploying tech, and Melissa’s counterintuitive "start with the willing" strategy for driving change—where consistent base hits trump risky home runs. They debate networking’s hidden power (hint: internal allies matter most), why failed interviews can be blessings ("If you can’t be authentic, it wasn’t the right fit"), and how to ask questions that expose real business needs.


    Perfect for aspiring leaders and seasoned execs alike, this episode delivers actionable tools to transform from order-taker to strategic partner—one relationship, one question, and one uncomfortable growth moment at a time.
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • Zach Mercurio on the Power of Mattering: How to Make People Feel Seen, Valued & Needed (Part Two)

    Zach Mercurio on the Power of Mattering: How to Make People Feel Seen, Valued & Needed (Part Two)
    May 6 2025
    In Part 2, Richard Walker continues his deep dive with Zach Mercurio into the power of "mattering"—the belief that we are seen, valued, and needed by those around us. Building on their earlier conversation, Zach and Richard explore how small, intentional interactions can combat the growing loneliness epidemic and disengagement in workplaces and society. Zach shares his research-backed framework for fostering mattering: **Noticed, Affirmed, and Needed**. He reveals how simple acts—like holding a door, asking meaningful questions, or remembering personal details—can transform relationships and organizational culture. The discussion also tackles the dangers of "learned helplessness," where people disengage because they feel their contributions don’t matter, and how leaders can reverse this trend by creating environments where everyone feels indispensable. The episode closes with powerful insights from high-performing teams—from the U.S. Army Special Forces to the Blue Angels—showing how mattering fuels resilience and excellence. Whether you’re a leader, teammate, or simply someone striving to make others feel valued, this conversation is a masterclass in the art of human connection. Tune in to discover how you can close the "mattering deficit" in your own life and work—one meaningful interaction at a time.
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • Zach Mercurio on the Power of Mattering: How to Make People Feel Seen, Valued & Needed (Part One)

    Zach Mercurio on the Power of Mattering: How to Make People Feel Seen, Valued & Needed (Part One)
    Apr 29 2025
    Richard Walker sits down with Zach Mercurio, a leading expert on the concept of "mattering," to explore how feeling valued and significant impacts motivation, performance, and well-being in the workplace. Zach shares his personal journey from a disengaged employee in the advertising world to a researcher dedicated to helping individuals and organizations cultivate a sense of purpose and connection. The conversation delves into the critical difference between having a job that matters and experiencing mattering in your job, highlighting how small, meaningful interactions—not promotions or paychecks—truly make people feel seen and valued. Richard and Zach also tackle the challenges of modern work environments, from the pitfalls of hybrid work and digital communication to the alarming trends of loneliness and disengagement. They discuss the urgent need to reskill leaders in relational competencies and the role of empathy, compassion, and genuine human connection in fostering high-performing teams. Tune in for an insightful and timely discussion that will challenge how you think about work, leadership, and the future of human connection in an increasingly automated world.
    Show More Show Less
    28 mins
No reviews yet