What’s Possible w. Ilene Schaffer

Do you really know how you're showing up as a leader? We all have blind spots, those hidden areas in our behavior, thinking, and communication that can unknowingly hold us back. In this episode, host Ilene Schaffer sits down with Marty Dubin, clinical psychologist, executive consultant, and author of the forthcoming book Blind Spotting , to explore how recognizing and addressing your leadersh...

Feeling stuck in your leadership style or struggling to communicate effectively with your team? In this quick-hit episode, What's Possible host Ilene Schaffer sits down with Harry Hofer, internal executive coach at a Fortune 500 organization, to introduce the power of "nudges." These subtle mindset shifts are grounded in behavioral science and emotional intelligence and can help lea...

Did you know the Enneagram can radically improve your leadership, communication, and relationships? In this episode, host Ilene Schaffer sits down with Ali Dunn, a dynamic leadership and Enneagram coach, to learn how understanding your core motivations can dramatically transform your workplace interactions, reduce conflict, and prevent burnout. With over 20 years of professional experience, Ali sh...

Stepping into a leadership role from the outside can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of “What’s Possible,” host Ilene Schaffer talks with Capella Fahoome, executive coach, film producer, and expert in storytelling and positive leadership, about practical ways new leaders can quickly establish trust, connection, and confidence. Capella, who is known for her award-winning...

Do you dread giving feedback, worry about hurting feelings, or simply avoid those tough conversations altogether? Or maybe you’re eager to level-up your feedback skills to create more trust, engagement, and motivation on your team? In this mini-episode of What's Possible, host Ilene Schaffer chats with Lisa Sansom, SVChange executive coach and expert in positive psychology and workplace feedb...

What does "legacy" mean to you? Have you considered how it's created every day, not just in big moments, but in the small, daily interactions? In this mini-episode, CEO of Silicon Valley Change Ilene Schaffer challenges the notion of legacy as something reserved for the extraordinary few. Instead, Ilene invites you to think about the small, consistent imprints you leave through ever...

What if you could consistently connect deeply and authentically with every member of your team? In this episode of What's Possible , host Ilene Schaffer sits down with Paul Chudleigh, Principal Business Psychologist and expert in emotional intelligence and applied neuroscience, to explore the powerful concept of leadership resonance. Paul shares practical strategies to help leaders build mean...

In this mini-episode, host Ilene Schaffer is flipping the script on traditional interviewing techniques. Instead of putting candidates through a nerve-wracking interrogation, she shares how creating a warm, comfortable environment allows leaders to truly see a person's potential. You'll learn how to ask questions that invite genuine responses, understand the power of making candidates fe...

What does it take to create a company purpose so powerful that it becomes part of your organization’s DNA? In this episode of What’s Possible, Ilene sits down with Marissa Heckman, VP of Learning & Development at Power Digital, to explore Project Why, their groundbreaking initiative to define and integrate the company’s deeper purpose into daily operations. Marissa takes us behind the scenes o...

Feeling overwhelmed by uncertainty in your leadership role? You're not alone. Uncertainty levels today are as high as they were during the peak of the pandemic. In this "In the Moment" episode, Ilene Schaffer and executive coach Niels Gott discuss how leaders can effectively navigate uncertainty by prioritizing trust, psychological safety, and resilience. Niels shares his "two-...

What if the secret to becoming an impactful leader wasn’t about chasing power—but about managing pressure and creating space for authentic self-awareness? Ilene Schaffer is joined by Sabina Nawaz, elite executive coach and author of the book, You Are the Boss: Become the Manager You Want to Be (and Others Need) . Together, they explore practical tools leaders can use to understand and manage the p...

Ilene Schaffer sits down with leadership expert Lisa Sansom to talk about the power of timely, specific feedback in the workplace. They explore why waiting for formal reviews just doesn’t cut it—and how real-time feedback can transform employee engagement, motivation, and trust. Backed by Gallup research, Lisa shares why being ignored is worse than receiving critical feedback and offers simple, ac...

Networking can feel intimidating, salesy, or even downright uncomfortable. But what if there was a way to make networking genuinely enjoyable—and incredibly effective? In this episode of What’s Possible , host Ilene Schaffer talks with Nicole Wood, CEO and co-founder of career coaching firm Ama La Vida, about overcoming the fear of networking. Nicole shares her personal journey from management con...

What happens when you’re promoted to lead the people you once worked alongside? It’s one of the trickiest transitions in leadership—and one of the most powerful growth opportunities. In this episode, Ilene Schaffer sits down with SVC coach Alex Jack to explore how new leaders can navigate this shift with empathy, presence, and purpose. We talk about the importance of building trust, choosing curio...

Feeling overwhelmed by constant change and workplace stress? In this enlightening episode, Ilene Schaffer sits down with mindfulness coach and facilitator Kim Nicol to explore practical ways leaders can find calm amid chaos. Kim shares her own non-linear career journey—from law school to coaching—and reveals how mindfulness practices transformed her approach to leadership, stress, and communicatio...

Do you underestimate the impact of a simple text or quick check-in? In this mini-episode, Ilene Schaffer and Alex Jack explore how intentional acts of kindness and proactive support can dramatically strengthen our relationships. Through heartfelt stories and practical insights, they highlight how being present, creating psychological safety, and making small, genuine gestures can transform connect...

What if the secret to increasing your team's productivity and engagement isn't about working harder, but making work more meaningful? Ilene Schaffer sits down with Wes Adams and Tamara Myles, authors of Meaningful Work: How to Ignite Passion and Performance in Every Employee , to explore their groundbreaking research on meaningful work. Wes and Tamara reveal their transformative "Th...

What if the key to deeper connections, greater well-being, and enhanced performance at work was simply learning to listen? Join Ilene Schaffer in an insightful conversation with coaching experts Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener and Dr. Christian van Nieuwerburgh, authors of the upcoming book "Radical Listening." Together, they reveal how intentional, empathetic, and strategic listening transcend...

It's time for a wake up call. In this mini-episode, we explore the myth of 'too late' and how to reclaim your time to pursue your dreams and aspirations. Ilene Schaffer, CEO of Silicon Valley Change Executive Coaching, encourages listeners to dust off those long-forgotten goals and evaluate them through the lens of their future 80-year-old self. She provides a step-by-step process t...

In a world where the only constant is change, effective leadership means more than just managing—it’s about inspiring and supporting your team through uncertainty. Host Ilene Schaffer sits down with Niels Gott , an SVC executive coach and veteran with a unique blend of military precision and heartfelt empathy. They discuss the transformative power of positive leadership and uncover the mindset shi...

When was the last time you said no? Ilene Schaffer explores why mastering the art of saying no is crucial for maintaining boundaries and ensuring personal well-being. Learn how saying no to some things means saying yes to what truly matters—be it your health, family, or personal goals. In under ten minutes, Ilene provides practical insights on making intentional choices that honor your boundaries...

Dive into a new era of leadership with Paula Davis, Founder and CEO of the Stress & Resilience Institute, as she unveils transformative strategies from her latest book, "Lead Well." In this episode, Paula sits down with Ilene Schaffer to share practical, research-backed approaches to enhance team well-being and resilience, emphasizing a balanced "me and we" perspective. You...

Ready to supercharge your leadership? Ilene Schaffer sits down with productivity expert Sharon Danzger to learn how self-determination theory. They discuss three crucial elements—autonomy, competence, and relatedness—that can transform your approach and uplift your team. When used intentionally, these elements can enhance motivation, productivity, and overall well-being in the workplace. - - - - -...

In a world where the demands on managers have intensified dramatically, it’s crucial to rethink how we support these pivotal leaders. Host Ilene Schaffer is joined by Chrissy Roth-Francis, Director of Talent Development at LinkedIn, to talk about the challenges managers face, from an increased number of direct reports to the exhaustion of managing hybrid teams. Chrissy shares transformative strate...

Are you overwhelmed by the constant barrage of news? Ilene Schaffer is here to offer practical strategies for consuming content, managing your response to it. Learn how to create filters to sift through the noise, akin to straining vegetables, and test what news sources best suit your mental health, just like an allergy test. You'll learn tips for the type, timing, and frequency of news intak...