An Influential Woman: How to Get a Killer LinkedIn Profile

It was a proud moment when I was recognised as one of the AFR 100 Women of Influence for promoting diversity and inclusion. Along with feeling a deep sense of accomplishment, I also knew this award would help increase my visibility and credibility in person and online. This visibility and credibility were crucial if I was to influence the closing of the global leadership gender gap in my lifetime. 

Understanding My Privilege

Before diving into my strategies, I must highlight a foundational element of my journey: recognising my privilege. Through the lottery of birth, I was born white, in a developed country and to parents who provided me with ample food, shelter, education and support. That means many doors closed to other women are open to me. Recognising my privilege, particularly in advising other women, is essential. Because I know there will be women who face barriers to increased visibility and credibility that I never have. 

The Essence of Influence

Influence isn't just about shaping outcomes but also a representation of my character. So, what does being a woman of influence mean for me?

1. Transparently defining what I stand for. (To break it down: I'm here to close the global leadership gender gap and help women achieve their full potential.)
2. Remaining unwavering and vocal about my beliefs, regardless of external pressures.
3. Continually honing my advocacy skills to gain greater visibility.
4. Periodically assessing the ripple effects of my actions.

Every woman has the potential to influence; my goal is to help them channel this influence to foster their aspirations and other women. The adage goes, "A rising tide lifts all boats." It's about the collective uplift of women.

Why It Matters

By the time I hit 50, with two decades of leadership under my belt, I felt an overwhelming drive to reshape the world. I was often the only woman in rooms dominated by what I saw as a monochromatic leadership—pale, male, and a tad stale. My roles, such as an executive in an Australian bank, allowed me to champion inclusion. However, part-time advocacy wasn't fulfilling; my vision was much loftier. I wanted to influence society, so I chose my next chapter. 

The Next Chapter

Driven by determination yet grounded by practicality, I dedicated a year to nurturing my enterprise. After a year of exploration, introspection, and inevitable challenges, I ventured into solopreneurship. Announcing my transition from a corporate gig to an entrepreneurship gig on LinkedIn garnered an unexpectedly large response. The overwhelming engagement (65,000 views and 500 comments within a month!) was heartening. What's more, it translated into tangible outcomes, and I welcomed three new clients onboard.

LinkedIn as a Catalyst

I've meticulously cultivated my online presence over the years and strongly recommend that more women do the same to amplify their voices. LinkedIn, particularly for those women who want to have influence in the business sector, is an ideal free marketing tool. (No, this is not a paid post by LinkedIn!)  

For those keen on boosting their LinkedIn prowess, here are some phenomenal women who have been instrumental in leveraging the platform effectively:

Kylie Chown

Cindy Gallop

Renata Bernade

Aunty Munya Andrews

Liz Ryan

Minda Harts

Selena Rezvani

The other step is to use LinkedIn Learning to get quick tips and longer courses about using LinkedIn to increase your visibility and credibility. 

Hope is Not a Strategy

Being a woman of influence takes much more than a good LinkedIn profile and a few posts occasionally. Being able to influence people to think more deeply about what I care about requires a strategy and then to be disciplined about implementing that strategy. Hoping that you'll be noticed for your excellent work will not cut it! 

I want more women to be considered an influential and respected authorities in their chosen fields. I also wish for more women to be lauded and celebrated for their contributions to society. In the 21st century, platforms like LinkedIn are tools that enable even more women to be visible, credible and influential than ever before. 

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