LinkedIn Top Voices 2018: Management & Workplace

These are the 10 must-know writers and creators discussing everything from workplace hacks to how the corporate world is evolving.

Every day, over 2 million posts, videos and articles course through the LinkedIn feed, generating tens of thousands of comments every hour — and tens of millions more shares and likes. So, who stood out in 2018 — and who should you be following to stay ahead?

We dug into the data to reveal our 4th annual LinkedIn Top Voices list, uncovering today's must-follow professionals covering management and the workplace.

To find standout voices, we use a combination of data and editorial signals. We screen for engagement among professionals sharing in their area of expertise, looking at what kind of conversations — measured by engagement, including comments and re-shares — their original content is creating. We track relative follower growth, too: Are these professionals attracting dedicated fans in their particular sector? Finally, we emphasize quality and diversity; the list should reflect the world we work in.

These members have shared about everything from creating an effective remote workforce and increasing diversity in corporate America to how romantic partners affect success and the perks that keep employees engaged. They are curating what you need to know when it comes to navigating your career and getting ahead at the office.

Here are this year’s 10 #LinkedInTopVoices in management and workplace.

Lynne Everatt | Author of The 5-Minute Recharge, Lexica Communications

What she talks about: Everatt digs into business issues from a psychological perspective and always with a slight wink. “I am passionate about sharing the latest research, tips and insights on how people can safeguard their physical, emotional and mental well-being at work,” she says.

Favorite conversation starter: Everatt analyzed General Electric’s plans to divest its light bulb business, paralleling it to the dimming of the company’s overall culture. Some 60 people weighed in on the topic, including a former GE engineer who even received Edison light bulbs from Everatt as “thanks for her illuminating comments.”

Her best career tip not on her LinkedIn profile: “I suffered from debilitating anxiety early in my career and believe that exercise helped me to overcome it, which is why I'm evangelical about encouraging everyone to go to the gym as both treatment and prevention of anxiety, depression and burnout,” says Everatt.

See more by Lynne Everatt.

Brian De Haaff | Co-Founder & CEO, Aha!

What he talks about: “I write about the adventure of building a high-growth technology company that puts people first. My writing is focused on strategy, product management, remote work and high-performing happy teams,” says De Haaff.

Favorite conversation starter: His article about how Aha! built an effective fully-distributed team received a huge and thoughtful response from readers. “If working remotely was the future when I started (and it was), it's certainly here now. Best get used to it. Your article is a nice "road map" for doing it well,” one member commented.

Beyond the desk: “You will find me writing in my home office,” De Haaff says. “But you will also find me writing on the soccer field or at the pool, while watching my kids swim or play soccer or water polo.”

See more by Brian De Haaff.

Vincent Carlos | Writer & Student, San Diego Miramar College

What he talks about: Carlos, a LinkedIn Campus Editor, shares about the connections he finds within the wide-ranging scope of his reading — all with one unifying tie-in. His ideas are meant to help people answer the following question, says Carlos: “How can I live a better life?”

Favorite conversation starter: In April, Carlos wrote an article titled “If you want to be successful, marry your best friend.” He was shocked by the response. Nearly 1,000 people commented, going deep into a conversation about significant others and their career effects.

What’s not on his LinkedIn profile: “I love to run,” he says. “When you're consistently pushing yourself as hard as you possibly can, you're actually training your mind to push through adversity. And that ability will naturally overflow into other areas of your life.”

See more by Vincent Carlos.

Lisa Gates | Leadership & Negotiation Coach, She Negotiates

What she talks about: “I write about the personal, cultural and political landscapes that impact women's ability to ask for what they want — and get it,” says Gates. “Not just because we demand it or deserve it, but because the world needs what we have to offer, and without women, business suffers (people and profits).”

Favorite conversation starter: Gates shared an article this year about how to tell a better story to land that new job or promotion. Members loved her practical advice and weighed in directly: “Great interview strategy for many contexts, Lisa, (including pitching ideas and sales) and told with a real sense of ‘story’ — perfect!”

Her must-listen podcasts: “Hidden Brain” by NPR and “Revisionist History” by Malcolm Gladwell.

See more by Lisa Gates.

Glenn Leibowitz | Director of Communications, Greater China, McKinsey & Co.

What he talks about: Leibowitz, a multi-year Top Voice, shares regularly about three primary topics: how to become a better writer, how to pursue a more successful and satisfying professional career and advice he gleans from entrepreneurs creating new products and services.

Favorite conversation starter: “The power of saying ‘thank you,’” an article Leibowitz wrote in August, got people talking. Professionals agreed that appreciation is a powerful thing — and even tagged people they wanted to thank themselves.

News story he’s watching in 2019: “The Harvard admissions lawsuit: The outcome of this case, especially if it reaches the Supreme Court, is likely to have major repercussions, not only on Harvard's admissions practices, but on that of other elite institutions,” says Leibowitz.

See more by Glenn Leibowitz.

Porter Braswell | CEO & Co-Founder, Jopwell

What he talks about: As CEO of a career platform for Black, Latinx and Native American students and professionals, Braswell shares about relevant issues for those communities (like how to talk about Kanye in the workplace) as well as how the corporate world can increase representation and diversity.

Favorite conversation starter: Braswell shared a deeply personal article in April about being the target of a malicious and racist verbal attack on the New York City subway. “The response from the community was incredible,” says Braswell. “Though it was a hard thing to talk about, I knew it would help show people that no matter where you went to school, or what you’ve achieved in your life, as a black man in America, you are still a target of racism.”

Trend he’s watching in 2019: How artificial intelligence is changing recruiting — without diverse teams who understand existing biases building the tools, A.I. “could perpetuate the very problems they are trying to solve,” says Braswell.

See more by Porter Braswell.

Michael Quinn | Founder & CEO, HireMilitary.us

What he talks about: With a background in HR for the military, Quinn knows what it takes to help veterans make a major career transition. He brings that knowledge to LinkedIn by sharing tips and actionable insights for anyone, especially veterans, looking to make a professional pivot.

Favorite conversation starter: Quinn uncovered the difficulty Navy service members were facing with the transition to the civilian workforce and raised the issue in a post. It garnered almost 300 comments and led to real action: a congressional delegation went to the area to assess the transition process.

What’s not on his LinkedIn profile: “I still face the career uncertainties that challenge many of those I help. I've only been out of the Army for about one year, just left my first post-military job and I am still not 100% sure where I want to be in 5 years,” says Quinn. “I think the fact that I am still working through this allows me to generate content that truly relates with people.”

See more by Michael Quinn.

Carson Tate | Managing Partner, Working Simply

What she talks about: “I write about productivity, organizational effectiveness and leadership. In all of my posts, my goal is provide tactical, practical strategies, tools and tips to work simply AND live fully,” says Tate. This includes topics like perks that keep employees engaged to managing email overload.

Favorite conversation starter: Tate took to the screen in her video, “Stop emailing like a teenager,” to talk about how people have gotten sloppy in digital correspondence. People chimed in with email horror stories — and even their own mistakes and how to avoid them.

News story she’s watching: “I found the #MeToo movement the most interesting and empowering news story in 2018,” says Tate. “Harassment, in any form, does not have a place in our society. It is only when we shine a light on the dark places in our culture that healing and transformation can happen.”

See more by Carson Tate.

Kerri Twigg | Founder, Career Stories Consulting

What she talks about: “I write about how people can use their stories to land ideal jobs,” says Twigg, who coaches people through career changes. She brings a quirky, authentic point of view when sharing her own tips and tricks for success, such as the power of exercise in her professional life and questions to ask yourself about the types of coworkers you like working alongside.

Favorite conversation starter: Twigg’s best advice for creating powerful videos includes how to be yourself while sharing your expertise in front of a camera. The video received 250 comments and many more private messages. It “motivated people to be creators rather than consumers,” says Twigg. “It is the video that people have referenced months later to help them show up.”

Where she gets her best ideas: “Client questions are great,” she says. “If I don’t have a resource made yet, I make one.”

See more by Kerri Twigg.

Roberta Matuson | President, Matuson Consulting

What she talks about: Matuson helps companies like General Motors develop and retain talented employees. She brings that expertise to her followers, sparking conversations around tough workplace issues. “The best conversations are those where people don’t agree with me,” she says. “My readers, like me, are not ‘yes people,’ which is a good thing. I’m here to share my expertise and stimulate conversation, so that together we can move the needle in the right direction.”

Favorite conversation starter: As part of her new weekly series, Matuson asked: “Should you care if your employees love coming to work every day?” She challenged the traditional approach to retaining talent, and readers weighed in. “I’d love to see this in action in every business!” one member wrote.

Trend she’s watching in 2019: “I'm watching the continued decline in unemployment here in the U.S. We think the unemployment rate can't get lower, yet it does,’ says Matuson.

See more by Roberta Matuson.

You’ve read about the Top Voices in management and workplace this year. Now, check out the #LinkedInTopVoices in sales, startups, data science and more.

Photo credits: Provided by honorees.

All activity measured took place over a 12-month period, from mid-September 2017 to mid-September 2018, and as with all LinkedIn Lists, we excluded LinkedIn and Microsoft employees from consideration.