Transformative Leadership Conversations with Winnie da Silva

"The old model of leadership, commanding, dominating, and never admitting failure, is outdated, and more importantly, it's ultimately ineffective." - Winnie da Silva Is humility the secret weapon some leaders are overlooking? In today’s fast-paced world, we’re taught to believe that the most successful leaders are the loudest, the boldest, and the most aggressive. But what if humility, often seen...

"Encouraging disagreement strengthens decision-making, challenges blind spots, and creates an environment where people feel heard." - Winnie da Silva What if avoiding disagreement is actually holding you back? Most of us instinctively avoid conflict. We’re taught that disagreeing can damage relationships, create tension, or make us look difficult. But what if I told you that the way we approach d...

"Motivation starts with identity—when you believe in the story you’re telling yourself, the actions follow." - Nikhil Paul Is it possible to lead with passion and effectiveness if you no longer feel connected to the business you're running? In this engaging conversation, I have with leadership coach Nikhil Paul, he dives deep into the heart of leadership, self-reflection, and sustainable business...

"When you align individual motivation with the broader mission, that’s when magic happens and teams thrive.” - James Thorman What does it take to lead a team with purpose, ignite individual motivation, and build a thriving, high-performing culture? In this episode of Transformative Leadership Conversations, James Thorman, a seasoned leader with a wealth of experience from his time at A Place for M...

"Leaders can't motivate people—and nor should they. But what you can do is foster an environment where intrinsic motivation can thrive." - Winnie da Silva What if I told you that motivating your team isn’t your job? It sounds counterintuitive, right? As a leader, your instinct is to inspire your team to perform at their best—but real, lasting motivation comes from within. In this episode of Transf...

"Diversity of thought is very powerful. I aggressively seek out people that don’t think like me and are polar opposites of me. That’s the only way to pull yourself out of your own corner." - Mauhan Zonoozy  What if the biggest barrier to innovation isn’t a lack of ideas—but a fear of permission? In this episode of Transformative Leadership Conversations, I sat down with Mauhan Zonoozy, a strategi...

What if innovation isn’t just for a select few, but something every single person can access and contribute to? In this episode of Transformative Leadership Conversations, I had the chance to chat with Sandy Fershee, the Head of Design & User Experience at Audible. Sandy shared some truly inspiring thoughts about innovation—how it’s not something reserved for just a select few, but something t...

What if the biggest barrier to innovation within your team or organization is you? In this episode, I’m diving into the heart of innovation—what it means for leaders and how we can create an environment that allows it to thrive. I explore the essential role that leaders play in driving meaningful innovation and reflect on how we can overcome the distractions and barriers that keep us from unlockin...

What’s your story, and how does it shape your brand? In this episode of Transformative Leadership Conversations, I sit down with Maria Ho-Burge, Vice President of Communications at TuneCore, to dive deep into the art of building a personal and professional brand. Maria shares how authenticity, storytelling, and strategy come together to create a brand that not only stands out but also drives value...

What does it take to drive change in a male-dominated industry while staying true to your vision? In this episode of Transformative Leadership Conversations, I sit down with Andreea Gleeson, CEO of TuneCore, to hear her remarkable story. Andreea shares how she transitioned from retail to music, the challenges she’s faced as a woman in leadership, and her mission to empower artists at every level o...

How do people really see you, and does that match who you want to be? In this episode of Transformative Leadership Conversations, I take a close look at what it means to shape your leadership brand authentically. Through stories from real clients and practical advice, I’ll show you how to shape and evolve your brand to resonate and stand out in ways that genuinely reflect you. Listen in as I discu...

How do I define success—and how does that shape the decisions I make? In this episode of Transformative Leadership Conversations, I have the pleasure of chatting with Cherie Hu, a music industry expert and the founder of Water & Music. Together, we dive into decision-making in both creative and business landscapes, exploring how our interpretations of success can shape our paths and the strate...

What happens when the very decisions you make as a leader cause unintended ripple effects throughout your organization? In this episode of Transformative Leadership Conversations, I sit down with Prita Kumar to explore the complex balance of short-term goals, long-term planning, and the law of unintended consequences in leadership. Prita shares her experience in managing teams without overwhelming...

What if the decisions you make as a leader are only addressing half the problem? In this episode of Transformative Leadership Conversations, I explore the hidden complexities beneath the surface of leadership challenges and how understanding those deeper issues can lead to more effective decision-making. I talk about the importance of not just focusing on what’s immediately visible but also consid...

What if your relationship with work is fundamentally shaping your career decisions? In this episode, I speak with Dr. Nayla Bahri, an executive coach and co-host of The Inside Job Podcast. Nayla is dedicated to helping individuals and teams build thriving relationships with work, collaborating with leaders from startups to renowned organizations like Apple, Google, and the Federal Reserve Bank of...

Ever wondered how you can turn your career dreams into reality? In this episode of Transformative Leadership Conversations, host Winnie da Silva sits down with career coach Maggie Mistal to explore how aligning your work with your passions can transform your life. Maggie Mistal, a certified life purpose and career coach and author of the Amazon #1 New Release Are You Ready to Love Your Job?, share...

Are you contemplating a career change but feeling uncertain about taking the leap? In this episode, Winnie explores the evolving nature of work and the increasing prevalence of career pivots. Sharing her own journey from social work to corporate training and consulting, she demonstrates how embracing these transitions can lead to unexpected and fulfilling opportunities. Through compelling statisti...

Can ensuring your team feels valued and supported be a tool to boost productivity? In this episode, Kim Lerner and host Winnie da Silva explore how hospitality principles, such as empathy and personalized recognition, can profoundly impact team culture and leadership effectiveness. Kim shares her unique experiences integrating these principles into her leadership approach, demonstrating how they c...

Can a leadership approach grounded in hospitality transform your organization's customer interactions and internal dynamics? In this episode, David Cocchiara and host Winnie da Silva discuss how principles of hospitality—like genuine accountability and composure under pressure—can significantly enhance leadership effectiveness and customer satisfaction. They explore why these seemingly simple stra...

When you hear the word “hospitality,” do you think of it as one of leadership tools? In this episode, Winnie da Silva explores the crucial role of hospitality in leadership. She shares personal experiences that highlight the power of hospitality and discusses how it can transform leadership practices. By drawing on examples from industry experts, she illustrates how integrating hospitality into le...

What impact does embracing leaderless teams have on organizational dynamics and individual leadership roles? In this episode, Mark Raheja, the founder and CEO of Plural, delves into the concept of leaderless teams and the transformative effects they can have on organizations. Winnie and Mark explore the interconnectedness of systems, people, and relationships within an organization, emphasizing th...

Powerful insights often arise when leaders question the traditional norms of leadership. In this episode, we delve into the concept of leaderless teams and explore the shift from traditional to non-traditional leadership approaches. Join host Winnie da Silva as she engages in a transformative conversation with Dr. Debra France, an expert in organizational practices and leader behaviors that foster...

In this podcast episode, Winnie da Silva discusses this month’s theme of leaderless teams. She explores the evolution of leadership from ancient times to the modern era, challenging traditional notions and embracing collaborative, human-centered approaches. Winnie shares how her guests encourage leaders to empower their teams so they can take a hands-off approach. In an era of rapid growth and exp...

Today’s episode is a special one. You’ve heard all the talk about the Immunity to Change model, and you’re about to see it in action. Returning guest, Deb Helsing, coaches another returning guest, Anthony Cheong, using the model. You'll learn how to navigate challenging conversations with senior executives, explore hidden assumptions that may be hindering your effectiveness, and gain insights on c...

In this episode, Winnie da Silva is joined by Dr. Deborah Helsing, and they discuss how the concept of Immunity to Change helps individuals uncover their resistance to change and explore their fears and assumptions. By following the steps outlined in the Immunity to Change model, individuals can challenge their assumptions, collect data, and experiment with new behaviors to overcome their resistan...