10 ARTICLES NOT TO MISS FROM JANUARY 2021

From July 2019 onwards, I had decided to highlight the most interesting and inspiring articles that I found on LinkedIn each month in order to give them higher visibility. I took this decision due to findings on the current algorithm on LinkedIn, which is relevant with regard to highlighting the best posts but relatively weak while highlighting the best articles. I find these to be the result of a much more thorough approach, thereby creating a greater editorial added value. 2021 brings with it a common theme of looking forward, and rebuilding our future as a society. 

1) AN OPTIMIST'S VIEW GOING INTO 2021, by Simon Sinek (click here)

Optimism, according to Simon Sinek is the acknowledgement that a glass is half empty while focusing on the positive that the glass is half full. He uses this philosophy while finding the silver linings from some lessons learnt from 2020 and to outline how we can use these to go forward in 2021. 

2)  MANAGING THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON WOMEN’S MENTAL HEALTH, by Michelle Penelope King (click here)

Studies have proved the gender disparity in the effect the pandemic has had on mental health, with women facing a larger brunt and decline in mental wellbeing. Michelle Penelope king, author of the Fix and Podcast host writes about how with the pandemic not only highlighting but also exacerbating the challenges faced by women, it is important that we identify and face these. 

3)   1)    MULTIPLE CRISES ARE CREATING AN “AGE OF WARTIME CEOS”, by Arianna Huffington (click here)

Arianna Huffington writes about the challenges faced by business leaders today, with the pandemic and social unrest among other issues. She compares the challenges of this time to wartime, stating that there are certain aspects a CEO can prioritise based on principles of wartime leadership. 

4) IS NEURODIVERSITY COMING OUT IN 2021?.. AND SHOULD WE HAVE TO?, by Amanda Kirby (click here )

This newsletter edition by Professor Amanda Kirby discusses the question of neurodiversity in 2021, tackling issues such as whether or not disclosing it is necessary, as well as its place in inclusive practices. 

5)   2021: THE YEAR OF GETTING BACK TO ESSENTIALS, by Sophie Bellon (click here)

In 2020, things we took for granted like meeting loved ones were suddenly snatched away from us. With a post pandemic world being a far away reality at the moment, Sophie Bellion lists certain essentials that need to reconnect with that we can use to rebuild our common future. 

6) THE DRAMADEMIOLOGY OF COVID: A PANDEMIC MANIFESTO OF HERE AND NOW , by David Katz (click here)

In this interesting take on the pandemic, David Katz writes with regard to ‘pandemic dramademiology’ or the superimposition of context lacking drama to existing data, creating unnecessary distortion of numbers. He creates a cautionary tale against the discord created by extreme dramatization of data, advocating instead for a healthy and respectful handing of the crisis.

7)  SAMENESS, ELITISM AND CULTY CULTURE: THREE SIGNS YOU'RE WORKING IN AN ECHO CHAMBER, by Katya Andresen (click here)

While the concept of echo chambers have been discussed in the context of social media, this phenomenon is rearing its head through politics and public discourse. Through this article, Katya Andresen helps us identify the signs of an echo chamber and how to combat this successfully.  

8) MY SPECIAL ADDRESS AT THE DAVOS AGENDA WEEK 2021 , by Ursula von der Leyen (click here)

 This address from Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission at the World Economic Forum encapsulates the challenges that we have to face from COVID 19 to climate change. She calls out the need for alliances to create new solutions. 

9)  IT’S NOT TOO SOON TO START THINKING ABOUT THE NEXT PANDEMIC, by Bill Gates (click here) 

The last year has upended our way of life like never before. With this in mind, Bill and Melinda Gates chose to write their annual letter with one subject in mind – the pandemic and why preparing for the next pandemic is as important as recovering from this one. 

10) HOW TO GET OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY, by Tracy Churchill (click here)

LinkedIn Top Voice Tracy Churchill collaborates with Emma Verslius and Laban Ditchburn on this piece regarding self -sabotage and how to tackle it, particularly during ones career. 

With this, we come to the end of the selection for this month. As always I would be happy to hear your opinion or to know of any articles I may have missed in the comments section. I hope to see you next month with the collection of articles from January.