Change-Makers, Champions, Leaders, & Trailblazers #30

If someone had told me that when I started this Change-Maker Series three years ago, that I would end up featuring close to 1000 amazing people and now publishing #30, I would have shook my head in doubt.

But, here it is #30 and every time, it makes me realize the power of LinkedIn and how it is such an inspiring and positive space. I feel so blessed to know so many people. Some of become friends, some continuously inspire me, and some don't even realize the impact they are having on the community that surrounds them.

I have to admit, I have been having struggling lately. Good old Covid-19 has finally gotten to me. For many months, I fought back and had the upper hand but, lately it has been hard. This is not to say it has the upper hand (heck no!) but, it definitely is weighing heavily on my usual extroverted, community-focused self. My energy is lower, my ability to stay focused is dwindling, my thoughts of not "doing enough" or "being enough" are filling some of the open spaces, and things are just getting to me. Sometimes having time to think is a good thing and sometimes it isn't.

But, one of the things that remain a staple in my life is LinkedIn and the people who make this platform and awesome place to be. The LinkedIn community was here for me before the pandemic, here for me during the pandemic, and will no doubt be here once things get back to normal (whatever that may be).

I realize that I must stay focused and grateful and always remember what matters. As I creep up on the one year anniversary of the #decidetobekind movement, I am reminded of all the of the wristbands that have travelled over the world and the remarkable people who make up the #kindclub-together we have formed a collective voice around bullying on LinkedIn. Together, as a community we are bringing awareness around bullying on LinkedIn; something that often goes unnoticed but unfortunately happens and creates havoc to some people's' livelihoods to the point where some people have left the platform.

I feel so grateful for everyone who has helped to spread the message. There is nothing like the support of my LinkedIn community!

That is why #30 of the #changemaker series is so important. Here are 18 more people for you to follow and get to know. They are people making a difference and I am so happy I know them- I just have to pay them forward!

Gemma Oaten: Gemma is Patron of Seed...an Eating Disorders charity after her 13 year battle with my anorexia. She provides support for carers and sufferers.

"No vision isn't worth seeing through. It's hard, you falter, face opinion, but I urge you to GO FOR IT. Please - your dream is nothing if you don't have a desire. It might not work, that's the truth. But heck, you tried & that energy will see you through to where you should be no matter what. DREAM BIG ? ??"

There is a toolkit available that you may want to check out:

Mathew Warboys: Mathew has a campaign to bring awareness around male mental health and suicide prevention

"We need to once and for all put to bed the notion that men do not suffer; and that men somehow have a utopian existence compared with women. Men have an equal capacity for sufferance; but unfortunately do not feel able to open up about their emotions and pain. It is leading to horrific (and indeed sometimes fatal consequences) — and we are attempting to raise awareness here!"

Caitlin Da Silva: This girl is and runs a lifestyle youtube channel and blog called, Caitlin's Corner! Subscribe to this one! Perfect time to let Caitlin walk you through some holiday decorating tips with a Latte!

Dr. Jen Welter:

“Women in football won’t sell.” - over and over - no after no- I guess you don’t know what you don’t know. But I have had this conversation time after time, knocking on door after door, and proving people wrong over & over... and yet... many times opening doors, that are open for everyone but me.

The thought for the day: imagine if instead of having to prove people wrong, people were saying, “how can we make this work?” “How can we change what has been, and make it different in the future?”

#football has been my place to play, break barriers, open minds, open hearts, and open doors... and yet the journey is certainly not exclusive to #football.

Bob Burg: Have you read one, if not all, of Bob's Books?

Play the "Reverse Gossip" game and say something kind, encouraging, edifying, and complimentary...behind someone's back. Yep, in this game, that’s the one and only rule. And everyone wins! #gogiver

Mina Biancucci: "NOT YOUR WEALTH BUT YOUR KINDNESS DETERMINES HOW RICH YOU ARE ????"

Joel Hanson: "To sum up failure, it:

• Builds Resilience: a skill lacking in today’s workplace
• Provides Feedback: on what doesn’t work and gives clues as to what might
• Reflects Humility: the need to try new ideas and not be defeated by negative results."

Rene Johnson: Have you applied to be part of Rene's #inspirelive 2021!! Do you have an INSPIRING story that can help others become empowered leaders in their life, career or business? Check and see what all the excitement is about!! https://lnkd.in/gDFRxRg

I had the pleasure of being a guest just recently with Randy Mcneely and Jacqueline Way!

Sean Hurley: "You can say the same words in a million different ways, and the way those words are digested can be perceived in a million different ways. I've learned this the hard way several times in my life. I've said something that I thought was factual and needed to be said, but my choice of tone wasn't suited for the content being delivered."

I've learned and appreciate that people will often forget what you said, but almost always will remember how you made them feel."

Michelle Mazzara:

Well, have you heard of Luvafoodie?

It's holiday time and so you have to check it out.

JAMES FOK:

"Before you see the YES. You will see countless NOs. All No's are just a foundation of your YES!"

"Sent 1,971 resumes. Ghosted 671 times. Rejected 367 times. In the final round 3 times => In the end all you need is "1 Offer".

Nicci Morris Hillard:

"#Blackwomen continue to nurture a nation that too often would rather ignore our humanity. We still have faith. We still persist. We still fight for a better future for all."

"I'm #grateful for some of the best #careeradvice I've ever received.

Rather than think of your growth as a ladder, think of it as a lattice. You don't have to always move up in a straight, clear path. Accepting this can open up your mind, your heart and your world."

Zoe-Anna Bell ? Relationship Healer:

"To TRULY access the Heart one must navigate past the rigid and often programmed mind of the False Self, known as the EGO. The heart has the most powerful RESONANCE and yet cannot be fully accessed until these first three energy centres are transcended and the patterns brought into the light. Think of the lower energy centres as the stages of consciousness. The 1-D consciousness 'SURVIVAL', 2-D 'CODEPENDENCY and 3-D POWER and CONTROL. These are the distortions playing out in society. Yes, many are still living in survival mode and when fear is a theme you are easy to control and program!"

Amber Khan:

"Sharing the same kind of beliefs and values as the people around us not only helps us to bond when times are good; it also allows us to create a “social safety net” we can depend on in times of uncertainty, stress or change.

?? In essence, our core values is what really defines us, our mission and the kind of team we want to build around us."

Jennifer Ettinger:

On November 13, the Pink Dreams Team launched BOSS TALKS Toronto. So excited!

LinkedIn Ads is not something I talk a lot about but I will tell you who you have to know if you want to up your LinkedIn game using ads: AJ Wilcox. Check out the podcast

Nkechi Nwafor-Robinson: "When you have something to look forward to, you can’t be discouraged in your present circumstance!"

Check out her Empowered in my Skin Podcast and the events coming up. You may even see me as a Guest!

Michael Prosserman: "Fail. My failure as a leader was that I was hurting everyone who looked up to me on my team, because I was setting a negative example by not taking care of myself. Self care is contagious." (Book Excerpt - Chapter 3 - TRUST) WWW.BUILDINGUNITYBOOK.COM

So, there you have it folks. Check these people out. They spread good things around LinkedIn like confetti. This is #30 and #thisisLinkedIn!

Get to know your community. Talk to strangers. Be kind. Support each other. Raise others up. Believe in yourself. Own your space. Be proud of your story. Be grateful. Do something good today. Join the #kindclub. Celebrate!

Shelly Elsliger ??