Join host Linda Misegadis and special guest Claude Silver, the world’s first Chief Heart Officer at VaynerMedia and author of the powerful new book Be Yourself at Work: The Groundbreaking Power of Showing Up, Standing Out, and Leading from the Heart.
Claude shares her journey—from calling herself an “underdog” to becoming a leading voice in human-centric leadership—and how her unique title grew from a desire to focus on the true “heartbeat” of an organization.
In this conversation, you will learn:
Why authenticity is not a luxury, but a strategic advantage in the workplace
The personal experiences that shaped Claude’s belief in authenticity
Practical tools—like the “lie exercise”—to dismantle imposter syndrome
The invisible weight women carry and why authenticity at work is so challenging
How leaders can use Emotional Optimism, Bravery, and Efficiency to build a culture of belonging
This episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to embrace their full humanity to drive stronger teams and meaningful success.
Resources MentionedThe Her Resources Podcast: herresourcespodcast.com
Claude Silver’s Book, Be Yourself at Work:
https://www.amazon.com/Be-Yourself-Work-Groundbreaking-Standing/dp/0063392437
Connect with Claude:
https://www.claudesilver.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/casilver/
00:00:00 — Introduction: The Birthright to Bloom & The New Season
00:01:33 — Welcoming Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer & Author
00:02:22 — Why Write Be Yourself at Work?
00:03:00 — Bringing Humanity Back into the Workplace
00:05:06 — From “Underdog” to “Late Bloomer”
00:07:39 — A Pivotal Moment for Authenticity: Hiding in London
00:09:44 — The Leadership Style of Gary Vaynerchuk
00:10:09 — Becoming the World’s First Chief Heart Officer
00:11:15 — The Mission: Infusing the Agency with Empathy
00:14:41 — The Challenge of Driving Empathy Across a Global Culture
00:16:47 — Having the Nerve to Quit: Working with a Coach
00:17:39 — The Invisible Weight Women Carry & Imposter Syndrome
00:21:08 — The Shift: Women Supporting Other Women
00:22:50 — Hiring for Culture Add, Not Culture Fit
00:24:30 — The Performative Self vs. The True Self
00:27:18 — We Haven’t Come Far Enough: The History of Women’s Rights
00:28:08 — Indicators of Authentic Leadership: Vulnerability & Listening
00:31:55 — Practical Tool: The “Lie Exercise” to Conquer Imposter Syndrome
00:37:24 — The Practice of “Heart Check-Ins”
00:40:29 — When Authenticity Becomes Cultural
00:41:40 — HR Leaders Modeling Authenticity in a Challenging Role
00:46:03 — The Myth of Liking People in HR
00:47:10 — One Practice to Start Tomorrow: Who Are You When Brushing Your Teeth?
00:48:59 — Myth Busting: Authenticity Is Messy, Not Perfect
00:50:01 — What’s Next: Speaking & Curriculum for a Human-Centric World
00:51:50 — Final Thoughts & Gratitude to Claude Silver