Oct 28, 2025
In this episode of Transform Your Workplace, host Brandon Laws sits down with Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX and author of Be Yourself at Work: The Groundbreaking Power of Showing Up, Standing Out, and Leading from the Heart. Together, they unpack what it really means to lead with humanity in today’s workplace.
Claude shares stories from her own journey—from leaving a two-decade advertising career to building one of the most human-centered cultures in business—and offers practical wisdom for leaders who want to foster authenticity, connection, and belonging on their teams.
Listeners will come away inspired to lead with heart, embrace imperfection, and create workplaces where people can show up as their true selves.
Key Timestamps
[00:02:00] Claude’s bold career pivot and
how she discovered her calling as Chief Heart Officer
[00:04:30] The truth about workplace
conformity and why authentic leadership is a competitive
advantage
[00:06:00] A pivotal moment at VaynerX that
showed the power of inclusion and belonging
[00:08:00] How leaders can help their people
see their potential by moving ego to the back seat
[00:11:00] The link between authenticity,
trust, and happiness at work
[00:13:00] The hidden cost when employees
feel the need to “shrink” instead of being themselves
[00:15:00] Claude’s concept of emotional
optimism and how optimism, bravery, and efficiency fuel resilient
teams
[00:19:00] Practical tools to stop workplace
anxiety and get grounded in the moment
[00:24:00] The difference between fitting in
and belonging—and how leaders can help people claim their space
[00:27:00] Why humility is the foundation of
effective leadership
[00:30:00] How imperfection and vulnerability
build real trust
[00:33:00] Collective vulnerability as a
cultural agreement for authenticity
[00:36:00] The hardest part of heart-centered
leadership and how Claude continues to grow in clarity
[00:38:00] The biggest mindset shift in
leadership—seeing through the lies we tell ourselves
[00:40:00] Rediscovering emotional
intelligence as a leadership superpower
[00:41:00] The real ROI of bringing humanity into
the workplace
A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST
Podcast: Transform Your Workplace,
sponsored by Xenium HR
Host: Brandon Laws
In Brandon's own words: “The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.”
About Xenium HR
Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience.
Discover how Xenium can transform your workplace: Learn more
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