What does it really mean to be yourself at work without hiding, performing, or shrinking to fit expectations? In this Finding Brave conversation, we explore why authentic presence is not a soft skill or a personal indulgence, but a powerful leadership practice that builds trust, connection, and impact in today’s fast-moving, emotionally complex workplaces.
Today’s inspiring guest is Claude Silver, the world’s first Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX, where she partners with CEO Gary Vaynerchuk to shape culture and leadership at scale. A sought-after speaker and the author of Be Yourself at Work: The Groundbreaking Power of Showing Up, Standing Out, and Leading from the Heart, Claude brings a deeply human lens to leadership that is grounded in emotional intelligence, courage, and self-awareness. Her work challenges the outdated belief that professionalism requires emotional distance or self-erasure.
In this wide-ranging and deeply personal discussion, Claude shares formative stories from her own life that shaped her understanding of authentic presence. Together, Kathy and Claude unpack what authenticity looks like in real moments at work, from navigating difficult conversations to noticing the inner “song” that shapes how we show up. Claude breaks down her three emotional pillars, namely, emotional optimism, emotional bravery, and emotional efficiency, and explains how emotions can guide more grounded and courageous leadership.
The episode also explores why leading with heart matters more than ever in an AI-driven, always-on world, and how taking up space, asking for what you need, and speaking honestly can transform both individual careers and workplace cultures. Listen in and consider what might shift if you gave yourself permission today to be fully seen and fully heard at work!
Key Highlights From This Episode:
- Introducing Claude Silver and what’s missing from how we talk about authenticity. [00:59]
- Why being authentic is a privilege and the power of knowing yourself. [06:40]
- How early experiences with dyslexia shaped Claude’s self-image and personal growth. [10:18]
- A pivotal Outward Bound moment that revealed the power of changing the “song” in your head. [13:56]
- [18:05] What authentic presence really looks like beyond theory and performative professionalism.
- [23:27] Claude’s three pillars: emotional optimism, emotional bravery, and emotional efficiency.
- [30:47] Leading with heart in an AI-driven world that often feels rushed, disconnected, or dehumanizing.
- Why taking up space, speaking honestly, and being fully human changes work and culture. [33:35]
For More Information:
Links/Resources Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Claude Silver’s book, Be Yourself at Work: The Groundbreaking Power of Showing Up, Standing Out, and Leading from the Heart
What it means to be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)
Kathy’s Finding Brave interview with Andre Solo on “Being Highly Sensitive is a Super Power: Embrace and Leverage It”
and Kathy’s article “How I Found Out I’m a Highly Sensitive Person and Used It To Change My Life”
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Quotes:
“Who are you when you’re brushing your teeth in the morning? There are no kids around, maybe no dog around, it’s just you spacing out brushing your teeth. To me, that is very indicative of who we are, when we are our real selves.” — Claude Silver [0:04:22]
“We are human, and this is the experience we’re having. So why not be open about that?” — Claude Silver [0:05:20]
“I think that it is an enormous privilege to get to know yourself. [And it] is something that is our birthright.” — Claude Silver [0:08:48]
“I don’t need to see you as anything other than you are, because who you are is who I want to get to know. Who you are is who I’m going to hold space for. I don’t want you to act like a PhD or pretend that you have a following of a million people on social media.” — Claude Silver [0:18:37]
“Emotions are guides. Emotions are data. It is not who we are.” — Claude Silver [0:23:53]
“Ask questions. Add your two cents. If you’re in the room, be big in the room. Share something. You have an idea that no one else has mentioned. I’m sure of it.” — Claude Silver [0:34:03]
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