Q4 2024 Q&A
When did you decide to start to use LinkedIn to share posts, and why?
I've had a LinkedIn profile since 2012 but only started to actively post from January 2023, shortly after I was appointed Chair of The Law Society of England & Wales Disabled Solicitors Network.
As chair, I wanted to raise the profile of the network, increase awareness of the need for greater disability equity and inclusion in the legal sector, challenge misconceptions about disability, and spotlight role models and organisations that were seeking to make a difference in this space.
On a more personal level, my new year's resolution for 2023 was to adopt a more positive mindset.
The to-do list seemed never-ending, and that was affecting my mental health. So I committed to end each working week by noting down three positives or highlights from that week.
My LinkedIn posts became a way for me to share some of that positivity with others in my network.
Did you have any fears about being authentic and sharing your opinions in your posts at first?
Yes, I held back at first, as I was worried about the judgements people would make about me, particularly given the stigma and unconscious bias that exist around disability.
It is intimidating to throw your thoughts and opinions out into a digital void, especially if you lack self-confidence (which I did). But as my posts gained traction and more people engaged with my content, my confidence grew and I really found my voice.
Today, I would say that authenticity is an intrinsic part of my brand on LinkedIn.
Why do you think your posts encourage your followers to comment and engage?
I think that people engage because I am not afraid to show my humanity, and I share the ups and downs of all aspects of my identity and life (professional and personal).
I speak openly and with vulnerability about challenging topics, by drawing on my own experiences – and I think that really resonates with others in the profession and those seeking to enter the profession. But I also seek to share helpful tips and strategies, so there is a practical aspect to my content which I hope people find useful.
Do clients ever say anything about your posts to you?
Yes, all the time! It's so heartening to see how many of them pay attention to my content. Several clients have reached out to explore opportunities to collaborate with me on diversity, equity and inclusion.
While I didn't intend my posts to become a business development tool, my content has unexpectedly become a differentiator, helping me to stand out amongst my peers and to stay front of mind with clients. Clients seem to really like the values that I articulate and role-model, alongside my legal expertise.
Has your success on LinkedIn inspired other colleagues to start using the platform?
I have noticed some people in my network becoming more confident about reacting / commenting on other people's posts, and others are starting to post more often.
It would be arrogant to assume that's entirely down to me, but I hope that I've played a small role in helping them to feel more confident about engaging with the platform, and perhaps broken down some of the fear factor that can hold people back.
But there are an awful lot of people who still hold back, or that don’t see the value in this platform, and those are the hearts and minds that I really want to change.
What would you say to others that are thinking of adding their voice on this platform?
Take a leap of faith and go for it!
View this as a valuable investment in your career – it requires time and dedication, but the upsides are there for the taking.
Posting on LinkedIn has opened so many doors for me, it has been rocket fuel for my career and professional profile, and it has evolved into my unique selling point.
What’s the most surprising result that you’ve produced due to your posting on LinkedIn?
One of the most heartening results has been the way that it has helped me to develop connections with people from all over the world, in the legal sector and beyond, who I may otherwise have never connected with.
It's truly special when you hear that your impact is rippling across borders and being felt in Kenya, India, America, Ireland, Guernsey and beyond.
Have you found real-life networking easier as a result of your profile on LinkedIn?
Absolutely!
So many people will start a conversation with 'I really liked your post about…'.
That instantly gives us a connection and common ground, which helps to eliminate any awkwardness – for both me and them.
And it gives me such a boost to know that people have not just read my content, but remembered it for the right reasons.
What’s your proudest moment for 2024, given that you’ve won several awards and seem to have been up to a lot of good things?
Being invited to a King's Garden Summer Party at Buckingham Palace was my standout moment of 2024. My parents were bursting with pride, as I was the first person in my (very large!) extended family to be invited to this. As first-generation immigrants, they never dreamed that their daughter would make it past the black iron gates of the Palace.
But featuring in the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100, which is a list of the 100 most influential disabled people in the UK, comes a close second!
Which creators would other legal sector professionals be wise to follow?
There are so many, and I would definitely recommend following everyone in the top 20 – but I have a particular soft spot for those who I have met in real life, including Sophie Wardell, Patrick McCann, Joanna Hughes, Lloyd Rees, Dana Denis-Smith, Michelle Hughes and Charlie Moore.
Andrew Hogan's posts about his adventures with his dog Sunny are a huge mood booster, so I'd heartily recommend giving him a follow too!
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