Posting for Progress, Proliferation, and Partnership, Not Performance

Part 2

Turning Stories into Sustained Action

In Part 1, I spilled the tea on some personal stories—like cringing at an overheard airport lounge conversation and facing a bit of classic accent shaming. These moments reminded me just how often voices are silenced, both online and in real life. But LinkedIn doesn’t have to be just another echo chamber or professional soapbox. It can be a thriving space where knowledge is shared freely, wins are celebrated collectively, and sidelined voices finally take centre stage. Think of it as a roundtable of professionals—no capes, just blazers—where the real superpower is lifting each other up.

Now, in Part 2, we’re shifting gears from inspiration to action. How do we turn that feel-good ethos of community-building into tangible practices that help everyone grow? Think of this as your LinkedIn starter guide to becoming a genuine force for good—minus the spandex and awkward motivational clichés, plus practical steps with real-world impact.

Before we dive in, a quick note: I’m not a LinkedIn or branding guru, nor do I aspire to be one. I love my day job, focusing on helping organisations and their people thrive in real life. These are just a few musings I felt compelled to share. And yes, it does open a can of worms: can we not be seen as credible in something when our expertise isn’t tied to a paid role? One for another time, perhaps…

Oh, and all the examples in this article are mine. Cue the groans—I get it. It’s not because I didn’t want to amplify other brilliant contributions (or that I’m secretly campaigning for a LinkedIn Hall of Fame). It’s just that getting consent takes time, and I wanted to get these insights to you quickly. Ironically, feeling compelled to explain this has taken up a third of my intro and probably risked losing your attention before we even get to the good stuff. But if you’re still here, let’s crack on and make LinkedIn a more inclusive, impactful place, shall we?

1. Cultivate a Personal Ethos of Contribution

IMHO, truly memorable dinner parties, much like LinkedIn, thrive when everyone brings their unique “dish” to the table—whether that’s expertise, insights, or personal stories. Just as this inclusive approach takes the pressure off the dinner party host and encourages collaboration, doing it on LinkedIn fosters a shared sense of contribution, where the platform shines because of its users’ diverse knowledge and experiences. In both settings, the magic happens when everyone plays a part, turning an ordinary gathering or LinkedIn feed into something truly enriching and memorable.

Don’t just be a consumer of content; be a contributor. Share the insights you’ve picked up from years in your industry, spotlight the innovative solutions you’ve discovered, and highlight the voices whose perspectives broaden our collective understanding. When you adopt a give-first approach—whether that’s sharing a useful resource, recognising a colleague’s breakthrough, or acknowledging a lesson learned—you’re setting the table for a more generous professional community.

2. Transform Engagement into Authentic Dialogue

If you’ve ever watched two experts passionately debate a topic during a networking event, you know how valuable real conversation can be. So don’t just hit the like button with the same casual enthusiasm you’d have for a dog video on TikTok . Instead, jump in with thoughtful questions, share your own experiences, and swap recipes for success.

3. Use Your Network as a Bridge to Resources and Opportunities

Your LinkedIn connections aren’t just profile pictures arranged in neat little rows; they’re actual human beings with skills, knowledge, and the occasional spare ticket to a great conference. Be the friendly neighbour who knows where to get the best coffee—and is happy to tell everyone. By connecting people who need each other, you help create that powerful ripple effect where one introduction can lead to collaborations.

4. Spotlight the Change-Makers in Your Sphere

Celebrate the stars in your network who are actually driving meaningful change. Shine a light on their work, share their wins, and turn your feed into a warm, welcoming space full of gratitude and recognition. It makes LinkedIn feel more human, more vibrant, and far less cringeworthy than those COVID-19 awkward Zoom socials where everyone just stared at each other in silence.

5. Align Professional Goals with Broader Societal Objectives

Let’s face it: doing good feels great. And aligning your professional aspirations with causes you care about can make your career journey feel like a scenic hike rather than a slow crawl through never-ending spreadsheets. By following thought leaders who stand for something meaningful and engaging with content that expands your worldview, you’re essentially turning LinkedIn into your own personal growth playlist—except instead of pop hits, you’ve got innovation, inclusion, and positive impact on repeat.

6. Keep It Light!

And my personal favourite— while not every post will have you laughing out loud, professional connections don’t always have to be super serious either. Think about your physical office (if you’ve ever worked in one). There’s usually that one colleague who tells the best stories or shares a hilarious meme just when you need it most. That lighthearted energy is part of what makes workplace interactions enjoyable and authentic.

Remember, LinkedIn doesn’t have to feel like a never-ending corporate meeting.

??? Over to You ???

Now it’s your turn to make LinkedIn a space for meaningful progress, collaboration, and growth. Here are a few ways you can start today:

?? Share Your Insights What’s one lesson or piece of advice you’ve gained in your professional journey that could help others? Post it, and invite your network to share their thoughts.

?? Spotlight Someone Highlight a colleague, mentor, or industry leader whose work has inspired you. Tag them and explain why their contributions matter.

?? Engage in Dialogue Scroll through your feed and leave thoughtful comments on posts that resonate with you. Ask a question or share your perspective to keep the conversation going.

?? Be a Connector Think about two people in your network who could benefit from knowing each other. Introduce them and explain why you think they’d make a great connection.

?? Align with a Cause Find a post or initiative that aligns with your values, and actively support it by sharing or amplifying its message.

How will you contribute today? Share your plans or take that first step right here in the comments! ??

#LinkedInTips #ProfessionalGrowth #Networking #CareerDevelopment #Collaboration