In a world where workplace culture can make or break performance, Claude Silver is proving that heart-led leadership drives results. As the first-ever Chief Heart Officer at VaynerMedia – and a sought-after speaker on modern leadership – Claude has transformed traditional HR into a people-first experience. She’s now channeling her insights into an upcoming book, Be Yourself at Work, to help leaders build more authentic cultures. In this emotionally charged yet practical episode, Claude shares how infusing empathy, emotional intelligence, and genuine human connection into business can ignite engagement and boost the bottom line.

Claude’s Journey & Vision: We explore her unconventional rise to the C-suite and how she partnered with CEO Gary Vaynerchuk to build a vibrant, high-trust culture from the ground up. Claude discusses her philosophy of “bringing humanity to the workplace,” recounting powerful learning moments that shaped her approach. You’ll hear how she turned HR into a strategic People and Experience team, aligning talent development, employee well-being, and business outcomes.

Key Insights for HR Leaders: This conversation dives into the how-to for today’s future of work challenges – from hybrid work dynamics to strengthening engagement and inclusion. Claude breaks down why diversity and inclusion in hiring isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s smart business – and how creating a culture of belonging fuels innovation. We talk about building a coaching culture where continuous feedback and accountability accelerate growth. Claude emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and vulnerability in leadership, illustrating how emotional intelligence bridges cross-cultural gaps and drives employee engagement.

Whether you’re an HR director reimagining your company culture or a manager striving to elevate team performance, Claude’s stories and strategies will resonate. She shows that when leaders show up with empathy, authenticity, and intentional support, employees thrive – and businesses do too.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on your favorite platform and leave a review – your support helps more leaders find these insights.

🎧 Want more human-first leadership like this? Subscribe and listen to the full episode at StepItUpHR.com/Corey-osityUnleashed.

💡 Learn more about Claude’s approach at ClaudeSilver.com

👥 Connect with Claude on LinkedIn for daily leadership wisdom.

🚀 For behind-the-scenes extras, subscribe on [YouTube] and follow @StepItUpHR on LinkedIn.

Discovery Keywords/Hashtags:

#Leadership #FutureOfWork #EmployeeEngagement #CompanyCulture #EmotionalIntelligence #HR

Ready to build a culture that truly kicks ass and learn how not to suck at leadership?

In this bold, no-nonsense episode, former WD-40 Company CEO Garry Ridge – bestselling author of Any Dumbass Can Do It – shares his hard-won leadership lessons and infectious passion for creating an extraordinary workplace. Garry transformed WD-40 from a small business into a multi-billion-dollar powerhouse brand over 25 years, cultivating a culture where employees thrived, loved their work, and achieved extraordinary results. Under his people-centric leadership, WD-40’s market cap skyrocketed from $300 million to $3.6 billion, with employee engagement hitting an unheard-of 93% (compare that to a global average of ~31% – a crisis he calls “disgusting”). His secret? Embracing “learning moments” instead of failures and banishing fear from the workplace. This conversation is a masterclass in trust-based culture building, delivered with the humor, heart, and straight-talk you’d expect from the self-proclaimed “Dean of Dumbassery.” 😎

• The Power of Dumbassery: Why Garry proudly runs a “School of Dumbassery” on LinkedIn (and why you never graduate from it – because the learning never stops). Discover how embracing humility and continuous learning can be a leader’s superpower, turning mistakes into “learning moments” that drive growth and innovation.

• Managers ≠ Coaches: How WD-40 replaced managers with coaches to create a high-engagement coaching culture. Garry explains how simply changing that title from “boss” to “coach” (and backing it up with action) boosted trust and respect – 97% of employees said they respected their coach – because coaches focus on helping people win, not bossing them around. Learn how this shift increased psychological safety and performance across the organization.

• Trust, Values, and “Learning Moments”: The inside scoop on building a trust-based workplace culture where psychological safety is paramount. Garry shares how removing the word “failure” and calling them “learning moments” eliminated fear and encouraged people to speak up and take risks. He discusses fostering belonging and tribal mentality (“tribe members,” not employees) and leading with a compelling set of values that “protect people and set them free.”

• Leading with Heart (and a Backbone of Steel): Why servant leadership doesn’t mean being a pushover. Garry and the hosts explore the balance between being tough-minded and tender-hearted – having a “heart of gold and a backbone of steel,” as Garry puts it. He shares how values-based decisions and candid “caring confrontations” build trust over time, and why real leadership is “not a popularity contest, it’s a contact sport.”

• Creating Legend-Level Culture: How Garry’s approach aligns with insights from leadership icons and influencers. Hear references to Ken Blanchard (co-author of Helping People Win at Work), the no-BS wisdom of Marshall Goldsmith, and the research of Harvard’s Amy Edmondson on psychological safety. This episode is packed with real-talk examples and visionary advice to help HR leaders and executives stop sucking at leadership and start building a culture employees can’t stop raving about.

Listen now and join us on the journey to a culture that kicks ass! For more great insights and episodes, visit our podcast homepage:

• Podcast Homepage: https://stepituphr.com/corey-osityunleashed

• Any Dumbass Can Do It (Garry Ridge): https://amzn.to/YourAffiliateLink

• The Right Kind of Wrong (Amy Edmondson): https://amzn.to/RightKindOfWrong

• Helping People Win at Work (Ken Blanchard & Garry Ridge): https://amzn.to/HelpingPeopleWinAtWork

• What Got You Here Won’t Get You There (Marshall Goldsmith): https://amzn.to/WhatGotYouHere

• Garry Ridge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garryridge/

• School of Dumbassery (LinkedIn Group): https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14633002/

• Power of Dumbassery Quiz (The Learning Moment): https://www.thelearningmoment.net/quiz

In this episode of Corey-osity Unleashed, we journey from the cricket pitch to the boardroom with Roland Butcher – a man who knows how to break boundaries and build winning teams. As England’s first Black cricketer, Roland shattered a major barrier in sports history, and he’s just put his story to paper in his June 2025 autobiography Roland O. Butcher: Breaking Boundaries as England’s First Black Cricketer. Now an author, consultant, and speaker, Roland shares the leadership wisdom behind that trailblazing journey in a conversation brimming with passion and performance-driven insights.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Roland turned adversity (being told “you can’t do it”) into fuel for success – and how you can cultivate that same resilience in your team.

• Why burnout strikes even top performers and why addressing mental health is non-negotiable for sustained performance.

• The “learning moments” behind Roland’s coaching philosophy – from timing feedback for maximum impact to building trust across your team.

• How embracing a coaching culture and empowering individuals ignites employee engagement, loyalty, and high performance.

• Why stable leadership and mentorship are game-changers for long-term team success – in sports and in business alike.

Roland also draws powerful parallels between sports and the corporate world, showing that great leadership fundamentals are universal. He illustrates how the best leaders put people first, foster an inclusive, engaged, and resilient workplace culture, and adapt to change with confidence. This conversation will inspire HR directors, C-suite executives, and frontline managers to rethink their leadership playbook and step up their game.

🔊 Tune in now and let Roland’s story ignite your own leadership journey. If you enjoy the episode, please subscribe, leave a review, follow us on LinkedIn, and visit https://stepituphr.com/corey-osityunleashed to continue the conversation and access exclusive resources!

Keywords

#Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeEngagement #Empowerment #Coaching #Resilience

Are you an HR leader or executive who believes in leading with heart and purpose – yet feel the weight of quarterly targets pressing down? You’re not alone. In this moving episode, Dr. John Blakey (author of Force for Good) shares how leaders can achieve outstanding results without betraying their values. Through candid stories and expert guidance, John inspires you to bridge the gap between profit and purpose, so you never have to choose one over the other.

Imagine a workplace where setbacks are seen as learning moments rather than failures. John’s approach shows how every challenge can spark growth. He advocates building a coaching culture where managers become mentors and every conversation fuels development and trust. By embracing intrinsic values and a mindset of continuous learning, you’ll discover how to transform employee engagement and loyalty in tangible ways.

Drawing on decades of executive coaching and speaking, Dr. Blakey shares signature insights from Force for Good. Learn how purpose-driven leaders thrive by aligning personal conviction with business strategy – delivering the triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit. John’s passion shines through stories like “Project Daffodil,” illustrating how hope and resilience can flourish even in crisis. He’ll challenge you to move from a life of success to a life of significance, leading with authenticity and courage.

John also introduces three types of purpose-driven leaders – the Zealot, the Martyr, and the Pied Piper – helping you identify your own leadership style and its potential pitfalls on the journey to being a force for good.

This episode will touch your heart and recharge your leadership journey. It’s a must-listen for anyone striving to be a people-first leader in today’s evolving workplace. Subscribe to Corey-osity Unleashed and never miss an episode. If our conversation inspires you, please leave a review – your feedback helps others find the show. Continue the dialogue: connect with us (and Dr. Blakey) on LinkedIn, and visit https://stepituphr.com/corey-osityunleashed for more insights and resources.

Keywords

#PurposeDrivenLeadership #WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeEngagement #CoachingCulture #LeadershipDevelopment #PeopleFirst

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Human-Centered Leadership

01:57 Kul Mahay's Journey from Policing to Leadership

08:38 Defining Human-Centered Leadership

12:28 Balancing Human-Centered Leadership with Business Goals

17:02 The Importance of Leadership Courage

23:04 Involving Employees in Decision-Making

27:09 The Shift from Traditional to Modern Leadership

27:44 Human-Centered Leadership and DEI

34:52 The Importance of Individuality in Leadership

39:45 Challenges of Human-Centered Leadership

48:05 Building Trust in Organizations

Summary

In this episode of Curiosity Unleashed, Debra and Ken engage with Kul Mahay to explore the concept of human-centered leadership. Kul shares his journey from a police officer to a leadership consultant, emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence and building trust within organizations. The conversation delves into the definition of human-centered leadership, the balance between human aspects and business goals, and the necessity of involving employees in decision-making processes. Kul highlights the courage required from leaders to embrace vulnerability and foster a culture of innovation and collaboration. In this conversation, Kul Mahay discusses the principles of human-centered leadership, emphasizing its importance in today's organizational culture. He critiques the traditional views on DEI, arguing that true inclusion goes beyond mere representation and requires a focus on individuality and trust. The discussion highlights the challenges leaders face in adopting a human-centered approach and the necessity of building trust within teams to foster a positive work environment.

Keywords

human-centered leadership, emotional intelligence, leadership courage, organizational culture, employee engagement, trust in leadership, innovation, decision-making, leadership styles, transformation, human-centered leadership, DEI, soft skills, individuality, trust, leadership challenges, employee engagement, organizational culture, diversity, equity

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Ruth Wooderson's Journey

02:53 Breaking Barriers for Women in Leadership

06:10 The Loneliness of Leadership

08:45 Authenticity in Leadership

11:49 Building Trust and Team Dynamics

15:09 Navigating Post-COVID Work Environments

23:12 The Purpose of Office Return

27:01 Trust and Flexibility in the Workplace

29:37 Personal Growth and Authenticity

35:20 The Human Side of Leadership

38:57 AI: A Tool, Not a Solution

42:12 Love Letters: A Unique Leadership Approach

Summary

In this conversation, Ruth Wooderson shares her remarkable journey from a part-time employee to the Chief Information Officer at Santander. She discusses the importance of authenticity in leadership, the challenges women face in leadership roles, and the loneliness that often accompanies leadership positions. Ruth emphasizes the need for trust and open communication within teams, and she reflects on the changes in work dynamics post-COVID, advocating for a balance between flexibility and accountability in the workplace. In this conversation, Ruth discusses the evolving nature of work, emphasizing the importance of human connection in the office and the need for trust and flexibility in workplace policies. She reflects on her personal growth journey, advocating for authenticity in leadership and the significance of embracing one's true self. The discussion also touches on the role of AI in leadership, highlighting it as a tool rather than a solution, and concludes with Ruth's unique approach to communication through 'love letters' to her team, fostering engagement and connection.

Keywords

leadership, women in tech, authenticity, career journey, trust, team dynamics, post-COVID work, barriers for women, resilience, career progression, office return, workplace flexibility, leadership, personal growth, AI in leadership, employee engagement, human connection, authenticity, trust in teams, communication

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Leadership Development

02:04 Lee Woolley's Journey in Leadership

08:19 Generational Changes in Leadership

14:03 The Importance of Trust in Leadership

17:27 Integrating Soft Skills into Leadership Development

22:12 Challenging Traditional HR Practices

24:12 Transforming Performance Reviews

25:44 The Pitfalls of Leadership Development

30:07 Embedding Change in Leadership Practices

36:19 The Value of Learning and Development

41:22 Communicating the ROI of L&D

43:35 Key Takeaways for Effective Leadership Development

Summary

In this engaging conversation, Lee Woolley shares his extensive experience in leadership development, particularly within the hospitality industry. He discusses the evolution of leadership styles across generations, emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence and trust in modern leadership. Lee also highlights the need for integrating soft skills into leadership training and challenges traditional HR practices, advocating for a more dynamic and responsive approach to employee development. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the intricacies of leadership development, performance reviews, and the importance of learning and development (L&D) in organizations. They discuss the pitfalls of traditional annual reviews, the necessity of embedding change in leadership practices, and the critical role of effective communication in demonstrating the ROI of L&D initiatives. The conversation emphasizes the need for a tailored approach to leadership training, the significance of understanding employee needs, and the value of fostering a culture that embraces learning and innovation.

Keywords

Leadership development, generational differences, trust, soft skills, HR practices, emotional intelligence, servant leadership, career pathways, hospitality industry, learning and development, leadership development, performance reviews, learning and development, corporate culture, employee engagement, training effectiveness, change management, organizational success, ROI of L&D, leadership strategies

"I want to stop this Monday to Friday dying."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Burnout and Kelly's Journey

10:56 Understanding Burnout: Definitions and Symptoms

19:58 Recognizing Burnout in Yourself and Supporting Others

24:43 Understanding Moral Injury in the Workplace

30:49 The Importance of Psychological Safety

35:05 The Role of Leaders in Preventing Burnout

38:35 The Cost of Burnout on Organizations

42:31 Practical Steps to Combat Burnout

Summary

In this conversation, Kelly Swingler, a burn-out expert, shares her personal journey with burnout and her mission to eradicate it from the workplace. She discusses the symptoms and definitions of burnout, emphasizing its seriousness and the need for organizations to take responsibility. Kelly also highlights the importance of recognizing burnout in oneself and others, and the role of leaders in supporting their teams to prevent it. In this conversation, Kelly Swingler discusses the critical issues surrounding burnout in the workplace, emphasizing the importance of psychological safety, the role of leaders, and the need for individuals to establish boundaries. She highlights the concept of moral injury and its impact on employee well-being, while also addressing the significant costs of burnout on organizations. Practical steps for combating burnout are provided, underscoring the necessity of understanding one's sense of self and the importance of prevention over cure.

Keywords

Burnout, workplace wellness, mental health, HR, leadership, stress management, well-being, coaching, organizational change, employee support, burnout, workplace wellness, psychological safety, leadership, moral injury, employee well-being, organizational culture, high performers, stress management, mental health.