In a world where workplace culture can make or break performance, Claude Silver is proving that heart-led leadership drives results. As the first-ever Chief Heart Officer at VaynerMedia – and a sought-after speaker on modern leadership – Claude has transformed traditional HR into a people-first experience. She’s now channeling her insights into an upcoming book, Be Yourself at Work, to help leaders build more authentic cultures. In this emotionally charged yet practical episode, Claude shares how infusing empathy, emotional intelligence, and genuine human connection into business can ignite engagement and boost the bottom line.
Claude’s Journey & Vision: We explore her unconventional rise to the C-suite and how she partnered with CEO Gary Vaynerchuk to build a vibrant, high-trust culture from the ground up. Claude discusses her philosophy of “bringing humanity to the workplace,” recounting powerful learning moments that shaped her approach. You’ll hear how she turned HR into a strategic People and Experience team, aligning talent development, employee well-being, and business outcomes.
Key Insights for HR Leaders: This conversation dives into the how-to for today’s future of work challenges – from hybrid work dynamics to strengthening engagement and inclusion. Claude breaks down why diversity and inclusion in hiring isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s smart business – and how creating a culture of belonging fuels innovation. We talk about building a coaching culture where continuous feedback and accountability accelerate growth. Claude emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and vulnerability in leadership, illustrating how emotional intelligence bridges cross-cultural gaps and drives employee engagement.
Whether you’re an HR director reimagining your company culture or a manager striving to elevate team performance, Claude’s stories and strategies will resonate. She shows that when leaders show up with empathy, authenticity, and intentional support, employees thrive – and businesses do too.
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Discovery Keywords/Hashtags:
#Leadership #FutureOfWork #EmployeeEngagement #CompanyCulture #EmotionalIntelligence #HR
