Interview with Mark Silver
Founder, Heart of Business
Interview Summary
Mark Silver, founder of Heart of Business and author of "Heart-Centered Business," brings a heart-centered approach to online teaching. He explores how authenticity, care, and vulnerability create better learning outcomes.
Teaching Is Service
Mark reframes teaching through a heart-centered lens: approach your course as an act of generosity, not a transaction. When you come from a place of genuine service, everything changes.
This doesn't mean undercharging or over-giving. It means orienting your entire approach around what will genuinely help your students, rather than what will make you look good or sell more courses.
Teaching is service. Approach your course as an act of generosity, not a transaction. When you come from genuine service, everything changes.
Vulnerability Creates Trust
Mark encourages course creators to share their struggles alongside their expertise. Vulnerability isn't weakness—it's the foundation of trust.
Students need to know that you understand their challenges because you've faced similar ones. Perfection is intimidating; humanity is connecting.
Share your struggles alongside your expertise. Vulnerability creates trust. Perfection is intimidating; humanity is connecting.
Hold Space for Transformation
Mark offers a perspective that shifts how you show up as an instructor: sometimes students need encouragement more than information. Your job is to hold space for their transformation, not just deliver content.
This means being present to where students are, meeting them with compassion, and trusting the process even when progress seems slow.
Mark's Action Steps
Mark recommends these 3 steps to improve your course planning:
Add a vulnerability moment
Include at least one story in your course about a time you struggled with the very thing you're teaching. Let students see your humanity.
Create encouragement touchpoints
Identify moments in your course where students typically struggle. Add encouragement specifically for those moments—acknowledge the difficulty and reaffirm their capability.
Reframe your role as service
Before your next teaching session, take a moment to connect with your genuine desire to help. Let that orientation guide everything you share.
About Mark Silver
Founder, Heart of Business
Mark Silver is the founder of Heart of Business and author of 'Heart-Centered Business: A Spiritual Path to Enterprise.' He helps entrepreneurs build businesses that honor their values while serving their communities.