5 LinkedIn Influencers To Get You Started
Just recently, LinkedIn has this new feature when you start a new profile, to begin following key influencers. Influencers are thought leaders in LinkedIn. These are the people who are on top of their game. Successful people who know the ropes around the success ladder. These are the same people you should be able to gain insight from and learn from their experience.
Through posts, these influencers share their thoughts about anything under the sun. Leadership, management, how to handle family. It could be important like an industry related article they published or just as mundane as a rant over something irrelevant. Either way, you can learn how these people think and what makes them tick.
From entrepreneurship, politics to spirituality. To be inspired, these are the people you should start following:
1. Richard Branson
Born on July 18, 1950, in Surrey, England, Richard Branson struggled in school and dropped out at age 16—a decision that ultimately lead to the creation of Virgin Records. His entrepreneurial projects started in the music industry and expanded into other sectors making Branson a billionaire. His Virgin Group holds more than 200 companies, including the recent Virgin Galactic, a space-tourism company. –biography.com
Quote: “Business opportunities are like buses, there’s always another one coming.”
—Richard Branson
Trivia: Branson is also known for his adventurous spirit and sporting achievements, including crossing oceans in a hot air balloon.
Current LinkedIn followers: 8,437,859
2. Bill Gates
Forty years ago, when Bill Gates and Paul Allen launched Microsoft, Gates’ goal of getting a computer on every person’s desk seemed audacious. Now, 84% of U.S. households own a computer. Gates has less and less to do with the company. He stepped down as chairman of Microsoft last year, and now is focused more fully on using his billions to improve humanity’s lot through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. –forbes.com
Quote: “If you show people the problems and you show people the solutions they will be moved to act.”
—Bill Gates
Trivia: When subordinates appeared to be procrastinating, Gates was known to remark sarcastically, “I’ll do it over the weekend.”
Current LinkedIn Followers: 5,145,676
3. Jack Welch
Welch worked his way up at General Electric, eventually becoming the company’s eighth chairman and CEO in 1981. He even snagged Fortune’s “Manager of the Century” title in 2000. His career advice has been well-honed over his nearly 55 years of experience in the corporate world.
Quote: “Over-deliver on the numbers and behaviors, but also gunning for the bigger perspective.”
—Jack Welch
Trivia: During his tenure at GE, the company’s value rose 4,000%. When he retired, he took a severance payment of $417 million, the largest such payment in history.
Current LinkedIn Followers: 4,437,319
4. David Cameron
Born on October 9, 1966, in London, England, David Cameron, a descendant of King William IV, received a quality education and excelled in his studies at a young age. Once he became head of Britain’s Conservative party, Cameron sought to modernize it and shed its right-wing image. Dazzling the party and the populace with his bold eloquence, Cameron positioned his party well for the general election of 2010, and when Gordon Brown resigned as prime minister, Cameron replaced him. –biography.com
Quote: “I want to switch on a whole new generation.”
—David Cameron
Trivia: When Gordon Brown resigned as prime minister, Cameron replaced him, thus at age 43 becoming the youngest prime minister of the United Kingdom since 1812.
Current LinkedIn followers: 1,839,671
5. Jeff Weiner
Since becoming CEO in 2009, Jeff Weiner has led LinkedIn to become a network of 364 million (current 380 million) registered users with offices in 30 countries and a market cap of $26 billion.
Weiner’s leadership style has earned him the trust of founder and chairman Reid Hoffman, his team, and LinkedIn investors. Glassdoor named him the highest-rated CEO of 2014. -businessinsider.com
Quote: “The important word there is inspire. The key difference between managers and leaders is that managers tell people what to do, while leaders inspire them to do it. Inspiration comes from three things: clarity of one’s vision, courage of their conviction and the ability to effectively communicate both of those things.”
—Jeff Weiner
Trivia: Prior to working as CEO of LinkedIn, Weiner has worked at Yahoo and Warner Brothers.
Current LinkedIn followers: 3,370,908
To know more about LinkedIn and how you can follow these top influencers to improve your digital strategy please visit https://evolvedigitalagency.com/linkedin/ and register for free profile tune-up.
This post was originally published at https://evolvedigitalagency.com/5-linkedin-influencers.
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Cheers!
Andrew