October 22, 2025
Episode 160: A Framework for Human-Centered Leadership with Claude Silver
What does it mean to lead with heart? In this episode of The Future of Teamwork, Dane Groeneveld interviews Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX and author of Be Yourself at Work, about how empathy, presence, and trust became the foundation of her leadership philosophy.
Claude shares her perspective on the importance of going toward the fear (instead of avoiding it) and why “culture fit” is an outdated idea. Instead, she champions culture add: bringing your whole self, with all your quirks and strengths, to make the team better.
Together, Dane and Claude explore what it takes to build truly resilient teams, from fostering self-awareness and adaptability to redefining HR’s purpose as a people-first function. Claude also introduces the idea of measuring Return on Energy (ROE) as a reminder that energy is real, finite, and deeply human.
This episode is a masterclass in how empathy, honesty, and shared responsibility can transform workplaces into thriving, human-centered communities.
🔗 Connect with Claude Silver on her website and read her new book
A Framework for Human-Centered Leadership with Claude Silver
Guest Bio
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, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal.
Her first book, Be Yourself at Work—a bold call to lead with heart, show up as yourself, and rewrite the rules of professionalism—is being published by HarperBusiness and comes out in October 2025.
Key Takeaways
00:00 Introduction to the Future of Teamwork Podcast
01:31 Meet Claude Silver: Revolutionizing Leadership
05:13 The Birth of the Chief Heart Officer Role
07:39 Scaling Emotional Leadership at VaynerMedia
13:55 The Importance of Taking Breaks and Avoiding Burnout
22:40 Exploring Fear and Cynicism in the Workplace
24:12 The Importance of Authentic Presence
25:10 Rethinking Culture Fit and Skillset Fit
26:41 Building Self-Awareness and Team Dynamics
28:55 The Structure and Purpose of the Book
32:24 Challenges and Evolution in HR
35:34 Creating an Accessible and Inclusive Culture
40:59 The Power of Energy in Teams
43:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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