In this powerful and heart-expanding conversation, we sit down with Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer at VaynerMedia and author of Be Yourself at Work, to talk about empathy, emotional bravery, and what it really means to lead with heart. We explore how music, mindset, and self-awareness shape leadership—and why the “song in your head” matters more than you think.
Most importantly, we dig into what this all means for working caregivers. How do you show up at work when life at home is heavy? How do you lead with compassion without lowering standards? And how can organizations create cultures where caregivers feel seen instead of invisible? Claude doesn’t offer clichés—she offers practical, human-centered leadership that can transform workplaces. Press play. This one will stay with you.
Claude Silver 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. Silver has 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. She has been interviewed on dozens of podcasts and featured in The New York Times, Fast Company, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal. He is the author of Be Yourself at Work: The Groundbreaking Power of Showing Up, Standing Out, and Leading from the Heart.
Episode Highlights:
[0:00] – Claude opens with a powerful message about sharing your caregiving reality at work and lightening the load.
[2:00] – Zack and Selma welcome Claude and kick things off with music, authenticity, and The Cure.
[6:05] – The “song in your head” story: mindset, self-talk, and a life-changing Outward Bound experience.
[9:16] – What it really means to be yourself at work—especially for caregivers balancing home and career.
[12:04] – Embracing the mess: why perfection isn’t real at work or at home.
[16:15] – The Nana story: generosity, heart-led leadership, and the power of small human moments.
[22:05] – Scaling empathy at VaynerMedia: culture champions, psychological safety, and employee support.
[25:22] – Defining empathy: riding alongside someone without “wearing their shoes.”
[31:18] – A powerful story about a struggling leader and the hidden caregiving crisis behind performance issues.
[34:41] – How caregivers can share vulnerability at work without feeling like they’re making excuses.
[40:43] – The critical role of HR today: psychological safety, belonging, and empathetic listening.
[46:53] – Overcoming the “no budget” excuse: proving the ROI of support groups and ERGs.
[49:32] – Emotional bravery, emotional efficiency, and emotional optimism explained for caregivers.
[52:40] – Rapid fire: empathy, psychological safety, culture, and what caregivers need most from leaders.
Links & Resources:
Claude Silver – https://claudesilver.com
Book: Be Yourself at Work by Claude Silver: https://www.claudesilver.com/book
VaynerMedia – https://vaynermedia.com
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast and leave a review. Remember to check out our website at invisibleemployeeadvocates.com for more resources, and subscribe to our newsletter for updates! We’ll catch you in the next episode.
