Mark J. Silverman and Associates LLC

“You can speak the truth with kindness. You can hold people accountable with kindness… That’s something that you learn as a leader.” ~Mark I’ve learned this the hard way. I used to think being “nice” was the same as being kind — it’s not. Niceness often avoids discomfort. Kindness can include truth that challenges, confronts, or calls people forward with love. Real leadership is mastering that balance, speaking truth, and keeping connection. That’s growth. Learn more on The Rising Leader Podcast's final episode, "Leadership is a Very Personal Journey." https://lnkd.in/gRDAkYv2

After 800 episodes, I sat down to record my next one... and realized I just didn’t have it in me to talk about what I planned. What came up for me instead was something deeper: sadness, reflection, and honesty about where I am right now, because this is the last episode of The Rising Leader This episode, “Leadership is a Very Personal Journey,” is one of the most vulnerable conversations I’ve ever had with myself. It’s about what I’ve learned after years of speaking with extraordinary leaders: that leadership isn’t a set of bullet points; it’s a living, breathing personal evolution. I talk about growth, self-awareness, and what it means to keep showing up authentically when your energy shifts. It’s about learning to lead yourself first, before leading others. Listen to the full episode on The Rising Leader Podcast. https://lnkd.in/gRDAkYv2 If you’ve ever questioned your direction, energy, or purpose as a leader... this one’s for you.

In my recent conversation on The Rising Leader podcast with Oscar Trimboli, award-winning author and host of the Deep Listening podcast, he shared a simple yet profound listening technique that can transform the way you communicate and lead. It all comes down to one word: silent. Oscar points out that the words "silent" and "listen" share the same letters, and therein lies the key. By intentionally creating moments of silence in your conversations, you open up space for deeper understanding and connection. It's a technique that goes against our instincts as leaders. We often feel the need to fill the silence, to have the answers, to keep the conversation moving. But as Oscar explains, allowing for silence can be a game-changer. When you resist the urge to jump in and instead let silence hang for a moment, you give the other person a chance to fully express themselves. You signal that you're not just waiting for your turn to speak, but that you're truly listening and want to understand their perspective. In a team meeting, creating space for silence can be especially powerful. It shows that you, as the leader, are willing to step back and create room for others to contribute. It encourages people to speak up, ask questions, and share ideas they might have otherwise held back. Now, Oscar is quick to point out that you can't use this technique in every single interaction. But if you think of it like salt on a meal - a little sprinkle here and there - it can completely change the flavor of your conversations. So here's my challenge to you: In your next conversation or meeting, pay attention to the moments where you might typically rush to fill the silence. Instead, take a breath and let it hang for a beat or two. Notice how it feels, and observe how it impacts the dynamic. As Oscar says, it may be a small thing, but it can have a profound ripple effect on your communication and your leadership. Give it a try and let me know how it goes! And for more insights from Oscar Trimboli, be sure to check out the latest episode of the podcast here: https://lnkd.in/gRDAkYv2

This week on The Rising Leader - "Silent and listen share the identical letters. The most potent listening technique you can use is simply to be silent." ~Oscar Trimboli This powerful quote from my latest podcast guest, Oscar Trimboli, really resonated with me. As leaders, we often feel the need to fill the silence, but sometimes the most impactful thing we can do is create space for others to express themselves fully. By embracing silence, we allow our team members to feel heard and valued. Give it a try in your next conversation and see how it transforms your communication! The conversation with Oscar can be found here: https://lnkd.in/gRDAkYv2

I'm excited to share my latest The Rising Leader episode with Oscar Trimboli, an award-winning author, host of the Apple award-winning podcast Deep Listening, and a sought-after keynote speaker. Oscar shares his insights on the transformational impact leaders can have when they listen beyond words. In this episode, we explore: • The five levels of listening and how to apply them • The most potent listening technique you can use (hint: it's simpler than you think) • How to ask questions that create deeper understanding • The difference between paying attention and giving attention • How to listen at scale in your organization Oscar's expertise comes from interviewing experts such as judges, journalists, and hostage negotiators, and from researching over 35,000 workplace listeners. If you want to become a better listener and communicator, this episode is a must-listen. New episode is live now! https://lnkd.in/gRDAkYv2

Today on The Rising Leader: "The most significant challenge that forced me to use everything I learned happened 18 months ago when I got a cancer diagnosis. Because all of a sudden, you're confronted with mortality, and the greatest opportunity to go into reactive mind is like a diagnosis, right? Or a tragedy of any kind. And so, it forced me to use everything I learned over a half century to modulate my nervous system so I could reclaim my sense of agency." ~Harry Pickens Harry Pickens is one of my favorite people to call, whether I need practical advice, spiritual guidance, or just want to have a meaningful conversation. He's a world-class jazz pianist, founder of the Strategic Neuroregulation Institute, and has spent 50 years learning how to regulate the nervous system under pressure. But 18 months ago, he got hit with something that tested everything he'd ever learned: a cancer diagnosis. What struck me most about our conversation was his honesty. Here's someone I've known for 15 years as this solid, grounded, spiritual presence, and he shared how hard the diagnosis hit him, how it rattled him in places he didn't expect. But here's what he did: • He used every tool he'd developed over five decades. • AI to create narratives of possibility when his reactive mind couldn't. • Music he generated specifically to awaken the emotions and mindset he wanted. • Daily practices to direct his attention toward healing instead of fear. Not denial. Not toxic positivity. Just the deliberate, moment-by-moment choice to reclaim agency when everything felt out of control. After 15 years of executive coaching, I can tell you: • This is the work. • Your nervous system is running your business decisions, your relationships, and your entire life. • The more you learn to regulate it, the more everything else falls into place. New episode with Harry Pickens is live now. https://lnkd.in/gRDAkYv2

THE ULTIMATE CURRENCY "All you have, from one instant to another, is the direction of your attention. Where do you place it? It's the ultimate currency." ~Harry Pickens Harry said this while talking about his cancer journey, and it hit me hard. I've been coaching executives for years, and I've seen it over and over: • A CEO can't get out of bed after a breakup. • A brilliant leader melts down in board meetings. • Someone with every achievement still feels empty inside. Why? Because their nervous system is running the show, not their wisdom. Harry spent 18 months battling cancer, and what he learned wasn't about fighting the disease; it was about choosing, moment by moment, where to place his attention. Not denial. Not positive thinking. Just the conscious choice of where to direct his mind. The default life is where your attention goes on autopilot, driven by old wounds and childhood triggers. The created life is where you deliberately, intentionally choose where your attention goes - even in the middle of a crisis. Every instant, you're choosing: Do you react from your amygdala, or do you respond from your grounded center? That's the work. That's the practice. That's the ultimate currency. New episode with Harry Pickens is live now, we go deep into how to actually do this.

I just had one of those conversations that reminded me why I started this podcast. My friend Harry Pickens is back on the show, and this conversation goes deep into something I've learned after a decade and a half of executive coaching: No matter how much training you get, how many books you read, or how many practices you adopt - if your nervous system decides to go in a different direction, that's where you're going. Harry's journey is remarkable. He's a world-class jazz pianist who played alongside legends like Dizzy Gillespie, but he struggled with paralyzing stage fright that made him throw up for days before performances. That challenge became his life's work, understanding how our nervous system shapes everything about our leadership, our presence, and our performance. In this episode, we explore: • Why the most regulated person in the room always wins (and has the most influence) • How most leaders think they're making decisions from their wisest self, but they're really making them from their wounded child • The simple practice Harry uses to separate present reality from past trauma echoes • How a cancer diagnosis 18 months ago forced him to use everything he'd learned over 50 years to reclaim his agency • Why your emotional reactions that seem out of proportion to current events are probably connected to something that happened when you were 6, 13, or in fourth grade Harry is the founder of the Strategic Neuroregulation Institute and has trained over 1,000 therapists, coaches, and leaders. But what makes him special is how personal his work is - he's lived it through brain injury, illness, and cancer. This is the perfect topic for this podcast: using leadership challenges for personal and spiritual growth. And it all starts with regulating your nervous system. New episode is live now: https://lnkd.in/gRDAkYv2

Scott Britton said this about the moment he realized his "success" was actually making him miserable. Princeton football captain. Tech founder. Sold his company to Salesforce. And he couldn't remember the last time he laughed with genuine freedom. I've seen this pattern over and over with the executives I coach. They've achieved everything they set out to accomplish, and they're wondering why they feel so empty. Here's what I know after 63 years: The freedom you're chasing isn't in the next achievement, the next million, or the next accolade. It's in learning to be present with what is. It's in doing the inner work. It's in untangling your worth from your accomplishments. Scott's story and his new book "Conscious" show you exactly how to do both - how to stay ambitious while finding actual freedom. The new episode is live now. https://lnkd.in/gRDAkYv2

"The practice is making your entire life a spiritual practice, not just 20 minutes in the morning. It's a deep integration that cascades through every minute of every day." ~Scott Britton I've been coaching executives for years, and this distinction is what changes everything. Most people think spiritual practice means meditating for 20 minutes, then running off to crush their to-do list. But that's not integration - that's compartmentalization. Real transformation happens when you start noticing your reactions in meetings, when deals fall through, when someone triggers you, and when you don't get the credit you think you deserve. That's where the work is. That's where the freedom is. Your entire life becomes the laboratory. Every trigger, every challenge, every moment of resistance - that's your practice. Scott and I delved into this in our latest episode. If you've been wondering how to do both - how to be ambitious AND conscious - this conversation is gold. https://lnkd.in/gRDAkYv2