In a world where deadlines move fast and business pressures run high, it’s easy for leaders to default to strategy, metrics, and sheer efficiency. But the leaders who create real impact — the ones people trust, follow, and remember — are the ones who lead from the heart. Heart-centered leadership isn’t soft. It’s intentional. It’s courageous. And it’s one of the most powerful ways to build connection, accountability, and belonging on your team.
My special guest today is Claude Silver, and she’s simplifying how to lead from the heart. Claude is known for championing emotional optimism, bringing humanity back into leadership, and helping companies thrive by focusing on people first. If you want to lead with more courage, clarity, and compassion — while still driving results — this conversation is for you.
Here’s how.
My special guest today is Claude Silver and she’s simplifying how to lead from the heart.
We tackle and simplify all aspects of it, including:
- What leading from the heart really looks like day-to-day, especially when business pressures are high.
- How leaders can apply the three emotional pillars — optimism, bravery, and efficiency — when giving tough feedback or leading change.
- How to balance empathy and vulnerability without losing authority.
- A few simple ways leaders can build belonging and trust on their teams this week.
- …and ultimately, how to keep humanity at the center as AI and automation reshape the way we work.
Q: Are you ready to learn how to lead from the heart? If yes, this one is for you.
It’s time to #DoTheThing!
<What’s catching my eye this week>
- 3 hours of (free) focus music for deep concentration - Quiet Quest - Study Music
- Hire Mary Baird to teach your senior leaders about creating a better employee experience for your workforce - The Simplifiers
- 50 powerful questions to help you reflect - The Institute of You
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My challenge for you this week:
How are you going to take what you’ve learned in today’s episode and take action by leading from the heart? What’s one thing you’ll do differently? Share it with me, privately or publicly. Snap a photo of you doing the thing, and send me a DM over on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/thesimplifiers) for added accountability and support!
Links, books and apps mentioned:
Resource: Find Claude Silver on LinkedIn - click here
Book: Be Yourself at Work: The Groundbreaking Power of Showing Up, Standing Out, and Leading from the Heart - Claude Silver
Book: Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life with the Heart of a Buddha - Tara Brach, PhD
Podcast: How to practice empathy without burning out, featuring Joseph Cope - The Simplifiers Podcast
Podcast: How to be a better leader (guided visualization) - The Simplifiers Podcast
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About Claude Silver:
Claude Silver - She is on a mission to revolutionize leadership, talent, and workplace culture. She is the world's first Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX and partners with CEO Gary Vaynerchuk to drive their success.
She’s earned Campaign US's Female Frontier Award and AdWeek's Changing the Game Award and she electrifies audiences at national and international conferences and at organizations, including Meta, Google, US Government agencies, and the US Armed Forces.
Claude has been featured in The New York Times, Fast Company, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal and is the author of the new book, Be Yourself at Work: The Groundbreaking Power of Showing Up, Standing Out, and Leading from the Heart.
Where Claude hangs out online:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casilver
Website: https://www.claudesilver.com
Website: https://beyourselfbook.com
Claude’s vote for the perfect guest on The Simplifiers Podcast:
Kate Thrumble - She is the Senior Vice President and Head of People & Experience (EMEA & LATAM) at VaynerMedia, where she leads talent strategy, employee experience, and organizational culture across regions.
Known for her coaching-centered, human-first approach, Kate champions “kind candour,” psychological safety, and belonging — helping teams feel seen, heard, and empowered to do their best work. With more than 15 years in HR and talent development, she brings deep expertise in shaping people practices that support connection, growth, and high performance.
