#31 of the LinkedIn Changemaker Series!

It's here and hot off the press, #31 of the LinkedIn Changemaker Series! This edition is all about SHOWING UP and how do you show up for yourself on LinkedIn as well as for others.

I started this series over 3 years ago and have featured close to 1500 changemakers; people making a difference....People you should be following!

My Mentor, and Soul Sister said to me:, Shelly, "when you go out in the world, do you visualize your highest self, then start showing up as her?"

I thought about it. It really seems like a simple thing in its basic form. But, actually being and doing good and honoring yourself (and others) is not that easy to implement and keep up with.

When I started my LinkedIn in High Heels: Rise Up and Lead Online workshop series, it was all about this. The heels would represent power, confidence, and belief in one's self.

So, the 'heels' are for everyone folks!

I don't like the term, "Fake it till you make it" but I do like, "Practice till you feel it".

So, every January, I take some time to go back and own my power because all of it must come from ourselves first before we can have followers to back us up. At the end of the day, titles don't matter but actions really do!

On January 1st, I made a commitment to stand up against bullying on LinkedIn because it often goes unrecognized. The #kindclub came to be and #decidetobekind wristbands travelled the world. The wristbands would being people together-all supporting each other and all together to ensure that LinkedIn remains a safe, inspiring, and positive place to be!

THE #KINDCLUB ROCKS!

The new year is normally recognized as the time for new starts, new commitments, and setting new goals. But, I also see it as a time for us to really focus on how we want to show up.

#31 of the changemaker series is focusing on people who show up on LinkedIn with the intent of making a difference. ENJOY!

Gehan "G" Haridy-Ardanowski: We can be our own worst critics. But we really don’t have to be:

? Set boundaries. Even if it seems offputting to others.

? Self-forgiveness. I’ve learned we’re harder on ourselves than others will ever be.

? When anxiety kicks in, breathe. I’ve also learned a simple moment of pause isn’t just mumbo jumbo. It works.

? Lock our phones and unlock our creativity. The phone will be there later.

Shawn Kanungo: "In a world where everything is so seamless, real-time, 24/7 and efficient, there is increasingly greater value in things that are slower, magical, meaningful, memorable and human."

Victoria Pelletier: "A cynical time calls for trusted leadership. If the title fits, keep doing what you’re doing. If it doesn’t, or you feel reluctant to call yourself “trusted,” then it’s time to revisit your ability, benevolence, integrity, and predictability. Cultivate your trust so that those who look to your leadership can thrive even in a time of cynicism." 

Sho Dewan: "The best teacher in life is experience. The second best are those who already have what you want. Want a promotion? Learn from the one who just got one. New to managing a team? Mimic the best leader you know. Looking to make a career pivot? Connect with someone with the same background who made the jump.

Most times, the ones who have achieved the goal you want also learned from those before them."

Debra Crowe: "When #selfcare is scheduled and practiced daily, we do not have mental health difficulties or poor physical health. We are ahead of the curve.

Don't wait until you feel ill or receive a diagnosis and some prescription medication. Putting yourself first is the best equation and allows you to BE your best for yourself and everyone in your life. #selfcareisntselfish"

Shahab Nilgiri: "How many times did you think you weren't the "type" to do something?

Maybe you're in a much better spot now. I hope you are!

My point is, if you're going to choose something to believe about yourself, make it something that will add some empowerment, rather than just make you believe that you can't do a certain thing, or things.

Be mindful about your patterns, and take action on your own health (mind, body, finance, relationships)"

Amanda Gordon: "....Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true:

That even as we grieved, we grew

That even as we hurt, we hoped

That even as we tired, we tried

That we’ll forever be tied together, victorious

Not because we will never again know defeat

but because we will never again sow division......"

Mohamed Hammoud: "Do you look to others for inspiration but seldom to the teacher within you?

Why?

No one knows, hears and sees you, understands your trials and triumphs and has your best interest in mind better than ??????.

You can achieve harmony and transform your inner voice from a harsh critic into a trusted coach and source of inspiration."

Annie Leib: "Sometimes all you need is just that special ONE in your life to always stand by you, push you to be better, give you a reason to do good things, or show you with one small act that all is going to be OK.

David Mendoza: "Sometimes that special someone is right in front of you and you didn’t even realize."

"By challenging our own biases - we might have grown up with a thousand prejudices but it is up to us continue to live that way, especially today, with all the information we have available about the topic that shows that someone’s health is just one part of who they are and that doesn’t define the contributions they can make. Our biases exclude and we need more inclusion."

Akosua Boadi-Agyemang: "It is possible to build a network but, you’ll have to work for it. Personally, I see networking as relationship building. For it to succeed you need to maintain and mutually pour into it to sustain it.

Over the years I’ve literally developed access to economic opportunity.

??Sometimes, it’s not that we don’t have the resources, it’s that we’re not being resourceful."

Michael Prosserman: "Always a student. Something I’ve only begun to digest is that life isn’t linear and work isn’t life."

Vicki Saunders: " We are at a moment where we cannot build a new world, dismantling old systems and structures that are deeply biased, with the same power dynamics and rules attached to the money which supports us. It’s going to take all of us to rewire our brains and try new approaches that will likely be uncomfortable. All I know to be true is that when we step into relationship with one another based on trust and love, anything is possible." 

Ronnell Richards: "Competing in the world of business is like going to battle. There are great moments of success and crushing moments of defeat.

Leaders need to be decisive, consistent and unflinching to be impactful and effective.

That means you will not be liked all the time. This is often overlooked in Leadership instruction.

You see the desire to be liked is natural. No one wants people to dislike them, especially people they must work with every day.

It used to crush me if someone didn’t like me but now I know it actually validates my impact."

Lisa Plain: "Mindset is a filter for your brain. Just like an Instagram filter changes the way you see a picture, your mindset changes how you see the world around you and impacts your actions and reactions, your moods, and the possibility you see for your future.

So, as you can see mindset is not just important for elite athletes, millionaires, and celebrities, but also for you and me."

Ally Salama: "Men who display emotional intelligence are able to recognize, interpret, and respond constructively to emotions within themselves and others.

In order to feel with others, one must be able to recognize, regulate and manage their own emotions first.

Put differently: they are men who are competent in displaying empathy towards others.

Without knowing one’s own emotions, it is difficult to help or feel empathy for another."

Madison Butler: "We all want to be inclusive organizations, but we cannot be inclusive until we realize and address how workplace trauma impacts our population.

We cannot offer psychological safety until we are willing to understand how past trauma impacts people's communications, work and every day life.

We must be willing to honor people's trauma, specifically the folx from under appreciated communities.

We are carrying the weight of societal trauma, workplace trauma and the trauma of living in skin that has been weaponized.

This is how we heal."

Sidney Jones: "Stay focused on your daily pursuits.

There are challenges and there are great opportunities.

We have a choice in what we focus on.

When we focus on the positive, it enables us to make a positive impact on ourselves and others.

Mindset determines direction."

Mike Bird: "The silver lining in failing so many times to achieve something and finally coming out on top is that you've proven to yourself that you can finish a job. You can actually overcome adversity and find some form of success. You can deliver what you promised."

Zabeen Hirji: "As students, you can do many things to create meaningful career opportunities and build #resiliency. Prepare for careers at the intersection of your passion, strengths, and opportunity. Build a portfolio of diverse skills & experiences, and actively manage it - add, divest and re-balance as the environment changes. Build your digital toolkit, nurture relationships and build a diverse network."

Jim Kwik: "Know yourself. Trust yourself. Love yourself.

Be yourself (unless you’re a jerk, then be someone else.)"

These changemakers are showing up and making a difference. Their actions speak volumes. They spread goodness like confetti.

#thisislinkedin

How are you showing up?

Love Shelly