What’s Possible w. Ilene Schaffer

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 of their thoughtful, collaborative process that involved diverse voices from across the company and ultimately led to their powerful purpose statement: “To power the relentless pursuit of growth and redefine what’s possible.”

You’ll learn practical strategies for uncovering your organization’s authentic “why,” creating true alignment across teams, and integrating your mission into every aspect of your culture. If you’re seeking greater clarity, motivation, and a more meaningful workplace, tune in to discover what’s possible when your purpose truly resonates.

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Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTube
Connect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn 

This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

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-minute trust booster," a simple yet powerful tool leaders can use immediately to strengthen team relationships through recognition, curiosity, and genuine support. Tune in to discover practical strategies to calm uncertainty, embrace failure as a pathway to innovation, and empower your team to thrive even in the most uncertain times.

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Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTube
Connect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn 

This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

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 pressures of leadership, from building their “shut-up muscle” to enhance listening, to using mapping exercises to strengthen team communication and clarity.

Sabina emphasizes how leaders can reduce the gap between how they’re perceived and their true intentions by leading with transparency, curiosity, and kindness. They discuss why slowing down, embracing moments of reflection, and prioritizing self-awareness can transform leadership from reactive to proactive.

Listen in to discover actionable steps to shift from feeling pressured and overwhelmed to becoming a more present, authentic, and effective leader—for yourself, your team, and your organization.

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Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTube
Connect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn 

This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

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, actionable tips for giving feedback that actually lands. Whether you’re a manager looking to better support your team or a leader striving to build a culture of connection, this conversation is packed with insights to help you show up and speak up—right when it matters most.

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Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTube
Connect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn 

This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

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 consulting to entrepreneurship, emphasizing how authentic relationships can become your greatest professional asset.

You’ll discover:

• Practical strategies to overcome networking anxiety
• How to build genuine professional relationships (without feeling awkward!)
• Mindset shifts that transform networking from a chore into something rewarding
• Simple habits to maintain your network without overwhelm

Join us and find out what’s possible when you turn networking from a source of stress into your secret weapon for success.

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Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTube
Connect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn 

This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

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 curiosity over control, and understanding that leadership is less about hierarchy—and more about humanity.

If you’re stepping into a new role or supporting someone who is, this conversation is filled with practical insights for leading well without losing connection.

Let’s find out what’s possible when we put relationships first—and lead with intention.

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Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTube
Connect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn 

This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

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 communication.

Together, they discuss easy-to-implement strategies, such as mindful breathing and self-compassion, to help you reduce stress, boost clarity, and improve team dynamics. Whether navigating a stressful conversation, organizational change, or personal growth, discover how mindfulness can empower you to lead with greater presence, curiosity, and kindness.

You can learn more about her work and explore her upcoming offerings at kimnicol.com.

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Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTube
Connect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn 

This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

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 connections both personally and professionally. Discover why showing up—without expectation—can be the most meaningful gift of all.

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Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTube
Connect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn 

This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

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 "Three C’s" framework—community, contribution, and challenge—and explain how simple, actionable leadership practices can unlock remarkable outcomes for employees and organizations.

Learn why 90% of workers prioritize meaning over money, how meaningful work can increase productivity by thousands per employee per year, and practical strategies you can start using today to build a thriving, engaged workforce. If you're ready to elevate your leadership and bring deeper purpose to your organization, this episode is a must-listen.

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Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTube
Connect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn 

This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

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 transcends traditional active listening, becoming a powerful tool for building trust, enhancing communication, and unlocking potential. Discover practical ways to listen with intention, when interruptions can be beneficial, and why truly listening can radically transform your personal and professional relationships.

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Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTube
Connect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn 

This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.