The Seismic Shift with Michelle K. Johnston

Chief Heart Officer Claude Silver (VaynerMedia/VaynerX) joins Michelle to unpack why the real “seismic shift” at work is bringing our humanity back. From emotional intelligence and psychological safety to trust, belonging, and authentic leadership, Claude lays out a practical roadmap leaders can use today—especially with Gen Z and Gen Alpha demanding purpose, flexibility, and voice. Claude shares her non-linear journey to becoming a Chief Heart Officer, the three-part structure of her book Be Yourself at Work (you → team → culture), and tangible moves to show up with heart—starting with knowing your non-negotiables and strengths. If you’re trying to attract and retain top talent, reduce burnout, and build a culture where people actually want to stay, this conversation is your playbook. 

Chapters 
00:01 — Welcome & You → Team → Culture Framework
02:49 — Gen Z & Gen Alpha at Work
05:06 — Why Old Playbooks Fail
05:57 — The Splinter Analogy
06:52 — Building Trust & Belonging
07:19 — Psychological Safety in Hybrid Work
10:36 — Autonomy, Flexibility & Hybrid
10:45 — Feedback Without Fear
12:01 — Emotional Optimism: The Success Recipe
14:40 — Self-Awareness as a Leader
32:01 — Closing Takeaways from Claude

Special thanks to our friend Brian Wayy for the theme music this season!
Track Title: My Heart's On Fire

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Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSeismicShiftwithMichelle 
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michelle-johnston-0264b5b
Instagram: instagram.com/michellekjohnston 
Website: https://michellekjohnston.com/ 

What is The Seismic Shift with Michelle K. Johnston?

Welcome to Seismic Shift - a leadership podcast that focuses on connection. I’m your host, Michelle K. Johnston: management professor, executive coach, and leadership expert. I believe that today’s leaders need more than power and control to get the best from their teams; they need connection. Through interviews with some of today’s top business leaders, we are going to explore how leaders' ability to connect with themselves, their teams, and their organizations defines their ultimate success or failure. This podcast runs in close parallel to my new book, The Seismic Shift in Leadership, where you can find even more insights from me and the brilliant leaders I interviewed this season. So let's set our sights on connection and get ready to take on the daunting, yet exciting, challenge of this Seismic Shift.