Mark J. Silverman on Leadership Capacity, Triggers, and Resilience Under Pressure
George Wright III interviews executive coach and author Mark J. Silverman about why leadership breakdowns are often “capacity problems” driven by stress and unresolved childhood overlays in relationships. Silverman shares his journey from alcoholism and addiction to sobriety in 1989, later business success, midlife panic, depression, and rebuilding through endurance goals, therapy, journaling, and self-help—leading him into coaching. He explains allostatic load and how overwhelmed leaders lose composure despite knowing the material, then outlines practical foundations (sleep, food, downtime, family, contemplation) plus his framework from The Rising Leader Handbook: leading up, across, down, and self. He describes building capacity by repeatedly facing discomfort without overreacting, and flags warning signs like autocratic behavior, low curiosity, blaming, and resentment—prompting leaders to ask where they failed to set boundaries, ask for needs, or create clear agreements. He emphasizes preparation over prediction in an uncertain world, accepting unfairness, “working the problem,” and putting yourself on the list; contact is markjsilverman.com.
00:00 Childhood Boss Overlay
00:15 Welcome and Guest Intro
01:35 From Addiction to Success
03:05 Midlife Crash and Healing
05:17 Finding Coaching Purpose
06:52 Leadership Capacity Explained
07:21 Allostatic Load Basics
10:37 Four Leadership Arenas
12:07 Triggers and Trusted Advisor
14:52 Building Capacity Practice
16:51 Early Stress Warning Signs
19:25 Leading Through Uncertainty
23:12 Put Yourself First Closing
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George Wright III
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About Guest
Mark J. Silverman is an executive coach, best-selling author, and host of The Rising Leader Podcast. He works with high-performing leaders, entrepreneurs, and executives who are navigating the challenges of growth, pressure, and responsibility while striving to lead with greater clarity, resilience, and purpose. His work focuses on a simple but overlooked truth: leadership doesn't break down because people don't know what to do—it breaks down when pressure exceeds their capacity to stay grounded and effective. Through coaching, speaking, and thought leadership, Mark helps leaders strengthen their ability to perform at their best without sacrificing their well-being, relationships, or fulfillment.
Links
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark22102
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.silverman.54/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markjsilverman