A powerful, timely, and inspiring guide for embracing your most authentic self at work―and why it matters―from the first-ever Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX.
Featuring a foreword by Gary Vaynerchuk
In a world obsessed with perfection―and workplaces wired for efficiency over humanity―Claude Silver offers a new language for the beautiful mess of being human at work: showing up as your true self.
No matter our role, seniority, or generation, we all want the same things: to feel valued, trusted, respected, and like we belong. When we stop performing and start being, we unlock our capacity to connect, thrive, and do our best work. Not only is this shift liberating―it’s the antidote to burnout, an end to the myth of “fitting in,” and a proven path to building bold, human-first teams.
Through her experience as the Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX, Silver offers a compelling vision for how authenticity and connection transform leadership, ignite innovation, and elevate workplace culture. Silver draws on research and thousands of hours of direct experience―listening, coaching, testing, team building, and speaking―and introduces a new framework based on three pillars:
- Emotional Optimism – leading with hope and possibility
- Emotional Bravery – having the hard conversations with heart
- Emotional Efficiency – driving clarity through compassion and focus
Be Yourself at Work provides actionable insights, relatable stories, and a practical roadmap to navigate a workplace where the old models are failing. In an era where technology evolves faster than we can imagine, humanity is our greatest asset. Authentic presence is the currency of the future―a game-changer for individuals and organizations alike.
Claude Silver is on a mission to bring more heart and humanity to the way we lead and work. As the world’s first Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX, she partners with Chairman and CEO Gary Vaynerchuk to build workplaces where people come alive―safe to speak up, proud to belong, and driven by real connection. Claude has earned Campaign Female Frontier and AdWeek’s Changing the Game awards, and energizes audiences at global events including Meta, Google, U.S. government agencies, and the armed forces. She’s been featured in the New York Times, Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, and dozens of podcasts. Claude leads with heart, coaches with fire, and shows people how to show up.
Gary Vaynerchuk is a serial entrepreneur and serves as the chairman of VaynerX, the CEO of VaynerMedia, and the creator and CEO of VeeFriends. Gary is considered one of the leading global minds on what’s next in culture, relevance, and the internet. Known as “GaryVee,” he is described as one of the most forward thinkers in business. He is a New York Times bestselling author, a sought-after public speaker, and a prolific investor in companies like Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Venmo, Snapchat, Coinbase, and Uber. Gary serves on the board of Bojangles Restaurants, Global Citizen Forum, MikMak, and Pencils of Promise. He is also a longtime Well member of charity: water.
