Leadership today demands more than command and control. In this powerful conversation between Michelle and bestselling author Selena Rezvani, the two explore what it takes to lead in a way that’s sustainable, human, and effective in the modern workplace. Selena shares the deeply personal story behind her passion for people-first leadership—losing her father at 13 due to work-induced stress—and how that moment shaped her mission to reduce suffering at work. Her new book, Quick Leadership, is a practical guide for leaders who want to build trust, empower teams, and lead with compassion, all without sacrificing performance. Michelle and Selena explore specific, tactical leadership advice and emphasize the need for psychological safety, authentic storytelling, and co-creation, especially as Gen Z emerges as a significant force in the workforce. If you're a manager, team leader, or aspiring changemaker, this episode will leave you equipped and inspired to show up differently—smarter, more human, and more effective.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Welcome & Selena's Book Launch
01:00 The Personal Story Behind Selena's Mission
03:00 What It Means to Reduce Suffering at Work
05:00 Quick Leadership Tip: Ask 3 Before You Answer
07:30 Give Praise Like Confetti
10:00 Why Leaders Resist Human-Centered Leadership
12:30 Vulnerability and Authenticity in Leadership
14:00 Why Selena's TikToks Go Viral
16:00 Seismic Shifts: Leadership's Impact on Mental Health
18:00 Skepticism and the Return of Command & Control
20:30 Building Exciting, Innovative Work Cultures
22:00 The Power of Psychological Safety
24:00 Understanding Gen Z’s Expectations
26:00 Practical Ways to Co-Create with Gen Z
29:00 Shared Leadership Opportunities in Meetings
31:00 Summary of Quick Leadership & Final Thoughts

Special thanks to our friend Brian Wayy for the theme music this season!
Track Title: My Heart's On Fire

Follow Michelle for more inspiring content:

Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSeismicShiftwithMichelle
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michelle-johnston-0264b5b
Instagram: instagram.com/michellekjohnston
Website: https://michellekjohnston.com/

Chief Heart Officer Claude Silver (VaynerMedia/VaynerX) joins Michelle to unpack why the real “seismic shift” at work is bringing our humanity back. From emotional intelligence and psychological safety to trust, belonging, and authentic leadership, Claude lays out a practical roadmap leaders can use today—especially with Gen Z and Gen Alpha demanding purpose, flexibility, and voice. Claude shares her non-linear journey to becoming a Chief Heart Officer, the three-part structure of her book Be Yourself at Work (you → team → culture), and tangible moves to show up with heart—starting with knowing your non-negotiables and strengths. If you’re trying to attract and retain top talent, reduce burnout, and build a culture where people actually want to stay, this conversation is your playbook.

Chapters
00:01 — Welcome & You → Team → Culture Framework
02:49 — Gen Z & Gen Alpha at Work
05:06 — Why Old Playbooks Fail
05:57 — The Splinter Analogy
06:52 — Building Trust & Belonging
07:19 — Psychological Safety in Hybrid Work
10:36 — Autonomy, Flexibility & Hybrid
10:45 — Feedback Without Fear
12:01 — Emotional Optimism: The Success Recipe
14:40 — Self-Awareness as a Leader
32:01 — Closing Takeaways from Claude

Special thanks to our friend Brian Wayy for the theme music this season!
Track Title: My Heart's On Fire

Follow Michelle for more inspiring content:

Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSeismicShiftwithMichelle
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michelle-johnston-0264b5b
Instagram: instagram.com/michellekjohnston
Website: https://michellekjohnston.com/

Season 4 of the Seismic Shift podcast is here—and it’s all about the seismic shifts in you. Host Michelle Johnston tees up a season packed with practical tips you can use right away to create more connection and drive better results at work and in life. Expect candid insights, actionable takeaways, and stories that challenge how you lead, communicate, and collaborate.

This season, she's joined by some incredible voices, including Marshall Goldsmith (co-author of her latest book, The Seismic Shift in You), Mita Mallick (author of The Devil Emails at Midnight), and Claude Silver, the first-ever Chief Heart Officer at Vayner Media, to name a few. From leadership habits to culture-building and human-centered performance, each conversation zeroes in on what actually moves the needle—so you can grow yourself and your team. Special thanks to Loyola University New Orleans for their generous support.