What’s Possible w. Ilene Schaffer

Amidst the hyper-pace of today's work environments, where staying afloat feels like the only option, Mark Hannum offers a compelling alternative: the path of purposeful leadership. Mark is an Organizational Consultant and Chief Research Officer Emeritus at Linkage. Before writing his book “ Become: The 5 commitments of Purposeful Leadership, ” Mark analyzed over 100,000 assessments and 30 yea...

Making dynamic changes in your daily routine can feel overwhelming. Today, Senia introduces the "stop, start, continue" strategy to shake up your routine and elevate your productivity in just 10 minutes or less. Find out what happens when we truly identify what's working, and what needs to stop. ___ "In the Moment" is a series from Silicon Valley Change and What’s Possible...

High achieving can come with a cost. After Dr. Esther Zeledón found herself trapped in a cycle of people-pleasing and perfectionism, she began a journey of letting go of societal expectations in order to find true self-fulfillment. Now a renowned entrepreneur, coach, and international development professional, Dr. Zeledón offers valuable insights for high achievers seeking internal validation and...

In just 10 minutes, you can get unstuck and gain clarity in the early stages of your job search. The key? Connect with your network in a meaningful and low-pressure way.  Informal "messy" calls with your former bosses or trusted colleagues can serve as impactful brainstorm sessions, allowing you to explore ideas, seek feedback, and gather advice without the need for a fully-formed plan....

In the often solitary world of entrepreneurship, there is a fine line between balance and burnout. Aaron Marcum shares candid revelations about his 20-year entrepreneurial journey—marked by passion, shadowed by burnout, and ultimately transformed by profound insights about how to create a fulfilling life. His new book, “EntreThrive: The Entrepreneur’s Eight Laws to Eliminating Unhealthy Stress, Fl...

"Why is this even on my to-do list to begin with?" When task overwhelm sets in and it becomes hard to prioritize, Ilene Schaffer encourages creating an "Undo List" to make room for more.  By identifying specific tasks or commitments to delegate, pause, or get rid of,  we can make space for new, more meaningful priorities. Tune in to find out why "small is good" and ho...

How can a mere 2-3 minutes of mindfulness reshape your leadership capabilities? In this episode of What’s Possible, host Ilene Schaffer engages in a discussion with executive coach Sandeep Kulshrestha about the nuanced realm of present-moment awareness and its profound impact on relationships and leadership. With over two decades of HR leadership and coaching prestigious clients like VMware and th...

Inevitably, we encounter challenges in the workplace, but it's not about avoiding struggle—it's about facing it with resilience. Let's delve into why some workplaces turn "toxic" and how we have the power to instigate change. Michael Dickerson is a licensed mental health professional, educator, and the author of "Struggle Well at Work." After seeing the positive...

Let’s de-stress in 10 minutes or less. Welcome to a new series from Silicon Valley Change and What’s Possible . In these quick and impactful episodes, host Ilene Schaffer and Senia Maymin will share actionable tools to boost well-being.  Senia, founder of Silicon Valley Change, shares the key of body awareness exercises, encouraging listeners to explore and play with stress sensations. Discover in...

In the echo of success rhetoric urging us to cultivate the brain, maintain a growth mindset, and sharpen our memory, there's an essential component often overlooked. Today, we’re talking about how harnessing the mind-body connection can transform your leadership skills.  Lisa Zigarmi is an organizational psychologist and executive coach who talks the talk, but walks and runs it, too. She is a...

After being laid off from his CMO role at a startup, Patrick Mork decided to reevaluate his purpose and values by engaging in exercises, coaching, and seeking feedback from others. The result? A powerful shift to a career as an executive coach and author. Patrick’s work now inspires the next generation of leaders in building purpose-driven companies that will leave a lasting positive impact on the...

In this episode, Lori and I explore the hidden impacts of gender bias in today's workplace and dive deep into the insidious implications of micro-moments and microaggressions. We discuss strategies that can effectively tackle gender bias and create a more inclusive and equal workspace.  Key Takeaways: Recognize the instrumental role of allies and leaders in breaking gender bias. Equip yoursel...

If you're feeling frustrated and overwhelmed by the lack of team performance and collaboration, despite your efforts to create high-performing teams through traditional processes, then you are not alone! You may have spent hours interviewing and selecting candidates, only to find that they struggle to work effectively together. Instead of the cohesive and productive teams you envisioned, ther...

From a former company commander in the Army National Guard to a pioneer in positive psychology, Niels Gott has a breadth of lived experience. Now an agile and SVC executive coach, Niels leverages his experience in strenuous environments to guide his clients in building resilience. His charisma and interesting juxtaposition of military discipline and well-read understanding of the science of wellbe...

In this episode of the What's Possible podcast, host Ilene Schaffer interviews Lorraine Stamp. Lorraine's research and background in positive psychology has further emphasized the importance of choosing our words wisely. In a world filled with noise, Lorraine Stamp discovered the silent power that lies in the words we choose and just how contagious words truly are. Episode Takeaways: Lea...

As an accomplished executive coach and alumni of the University of Pennsylvania's esteemed Masters Program in Positive Psychology, Robert Mack has dedicated his life to understanding the complexities of human behavior. Episode Takeaways: Master tactics to skillfully navigate challenging personalities. Appreciate the power of introspection in conflict resolution. Explore how personal perceptio...

Bryce Fox is my go-to expert when it comes to all things HR and partnership. His natural ability to foster trust and build positive relationships while achieving business goals have powered his own career forward. In this episode, we talk about how taking a little time to really get to know the people you work with can make the difference between just getting a job done and accomplishing something...

Giselle Timmerman is a remarkable expert in the dynamics of wellbeing. She brings an uncommon, holistic perspective to wellbeing, one which shifts from isolated individuals to the synergy of the team, aiming to bolster overall success rates and open up pathways to a healthier and happier work environment. Episode Takeaways: Discover the connection between the well-being of your team and its impact...

On this episode of What's Possible, we investigate how supporting a diverse workforce benefits a whole company with Dr. Venessa Perry. Venessa is a transformational consultant at the forefront of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In this episode, we discuss what changes when women of color have an executive coach and how an organization benefits when they support women of color through coachi...

On this episode of What's Possible, we delve into our superpower with Court Lorenzini , a serial entrepreneur and the mastermind behind numerous successful startups, including DocuSign. Court explains the significance of identifying your personal superpower and unlocking its potential, which can elevate not only your individual performance but also drive your entire team towards success and f...

What does it mean to have an authentic brand? How can your authentic brand boost your work and life success? On this episode of What's Possible, we delve into the world of personal branding and uncovering the authentic self. Our guest, Susan Chritton, author of Personal Branding for Dummies, shares her insights on how to achieve a balance between personality and expertise. Susan offers practi...

On this episode of What's Possible, we explore the intersection of high performance and well-being with expert Dr. Senia Maymin. Maymin shares her insights on how well-being affects productivity and cognitive capacity, and what proactive steps we can take to boost well-being and lead from a position of strength. Listen now to make sure you’re prioritizing the right well-being for you! Follow...

Do you want to open doors to new opportunities by forming meaningful connections? If so, I have the solution for you. Discover how to forge authentic relationships that can propel you and your relationships forward: In this episode, you will be able to: Unlock the power of serendipity and convert chance encounters into meaningful opportunities. Forge strong connections with others by establishing...

Behind every powerhouse communicator, relationship builder, and resilient leader is a strategic thinker who leads with curiosity and honors wellbeing. Say goodbye to disengagement and team fatigue as we bring you science-backed strategies that will transform not just your leadership style but also your team’s and organization's success. Join Ilene Schaffer and industry leaders as they share t...