2023 Q&A
When did you decide to start using LinkedIn to share posts and why?
I began posting about a year ago.
I would occasionally pen a post related to a speaking engagement, but I increasingly found myself wanting to capture the historical aspects of what I came across.
I remember writing a post about visiting a village to find that the boundaries for the land records were drawn on a piece of cotton cloth, a practice dating from 1580.
I was fascinated by this, but I was unsure about sharing it on LinkedIn.
I decided to post it, and the response was encouraging. My connections appreciated the post. The fact that so many people from different backgrounds shared my enthusiasm about the post was heartening.
It is the reason why I decided to continue posting on LinkedIn.
Did you have any fears about being authentic and sharing your opinions in your posts at first?
I did, and I still do.
First, as a barrister, I have to be mindful of the professional rules of conduct.
Second, as an arbitrator, I have to be careful to ensure that I am acting appropriately and not risking any bias or prejudgment on any issue that is or might come before me.
Third, I have to be careful in maintaining the proper boundaries with professional colleagues, especially since I serve as an arbitrator.
That said, over these last months, I hope I have found a space where I can express myself.
I have always loved history, especially legal history. I also enjoy listening to stories from different places and cultures, so traveling enables me to learn these and share them.
I have decided to use LinkedIn to share stories or ideas that interest or excite me while keeping well within the confines of my role as an arbitrator. I will also speak about a speaking engagement or a publication.
How can chambers be supportive of what you're doing, and - assuming it has - what lessons could others learn from that approach?
I am quite fortunate to have Lara Quie in our Chambers team, and we have a dedicated marketing department that works hard to promote Chambers.
However, each member retains independence and is responsible for their own LinkedIn accounts should they use them.
As a barrister and arbitrator, that independence and separation from other members' marketing is hugely important to me.
What are the most surprising results that you've produced as a result of your posting on LinkedIn?
I am still figuring out exactly why I post on LinkedIn.
Over the months, my followers have grown. I create each post with the same amount of enthusiasm, but each one has its own fate.
I feel inspired to write something and then to post it online, often at the oddest of times.
A post I will love might not get many reactions, and another one will get a tremendous response.
I am not disciplined, nor am I intentional with my postings. I post when I feel like it and frankly about what I want to write about.
LinkedIn is not only about work for me; it's about sharing my common interests with a professional community. I was prompted to use it to engage with new generations who communicate increasingly digitally.
Perhaps, if I became too technical or rigid with LinkedIn, I will lose interest because it won't be fun anymore.
As I post more regularly, I find that certain contacts engage more with my posts. This is interesting as they often come from very diverse backgrounds.
I also find people will often come across a post of mine when I meet them, so it's a good place to build a conversation.
Do you get involved in training others on how to use the platform?
I acknowledge that I'm very much a novice, learning through trial and error and sometimes through the generosity of experts like you.
I do wish that I had the benefit of training and advice; it would have saved me a lot of time.
Has your performance and usage of LinkedIn influenced the number of barrister colleagues that you have who now use the platform? Have you inspired others to follow your lead?
I have found comfort in observing colleagues from my professional circle actively posting on LinkedIn. Perhaps it's because of my increased activity on the platform.
The content shared by my colleagues varies widely, with some discussing speaking engagements and rankings, while others share personal journeys.
There's room for diverse content, and it's particularly engaging when authors take the time to provide insights or reflections about their experiences or rankings.
Why do barristers tend to use X (formerly Twitter) more than LinkedIn?
I, personally, do not engage in social media at all. Though I used to have a presence on Facebook in the past, I rarely posted on it.
My use of LinkedIn stems from its professional networking capabilities and its relevance to my speaking engagements and broader writing endeavours.
People have differing thresholds for sharing their personal lives on social media. I am cognizant of my duty to judge without fear or favour, hence, its important for me to ensure the appropriate boundary between my professional and private lives.
How does barristers' self-employed status affect their usage of LinkedIn? And their broader marketing?
On a positive note, being self-employed means that barristers are not bound by Firm policies or cultures.
They don't have to tout the values of a brand.
They can literally be themselves.
However, there's a downside in that there isn't a collective entity or pack to support them.
In contrast, employees at law firms tend to respond to and promote their colleagues' posts because they share a common commercial purpose.
Barristers, in chambers, lack that commercial interest in promoting one another.
While many barristers do support their peers, it's more a matter of collegiality rather than a shared commercial objective. This means that barristers often find themselves standing alone on LinkedIn and other marketing platforms.
What advice would you offer to others on LinkedIn?
Interacting digitally with a global audience on LinkedIn can be a fulfilling experience.
While I wish I could provide numbers on marketing benefits, I lack that knowledge.
My motivation for posting on LinkedIn is to create content that genuinely interests me and to connect with colleagues.
I believe that it's important to encourage and support others, maintain a positive outlook, and, above all, be kind.
In particular, it's important to be generous in celebrating others' achievements and allowing them to have their day in the sunshine. Life is short, and everyone has their own battles to fight.
Having a big heart and patience, even with those who frequently share their awards or accolades, makes for a more pleasant LinkedIn environment.
In a world that already has its share of pettiness and negativity, I would say let's not contribute to it.
Posting on LinkedIn can be an act of bravery for some individuals, and I'm particularly grateful to those who take the time to comment on my posts.
My network is composed of busy professionals, and when someone leaves a comment, I make sure to acknowledge their effort.
To me, it's akin to attending a conference and staying around to answer questions or engage in discussions.
If you're uncertain about LinkedIn or how to use it effectively, seek advice from friends or experts.
Maintaining an active presence on LinkedIn can be time-consuming.
On average, I post once a week, and I pay close attention to the post initially to ensure I respond to any comments.
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