From Silence to Engagement: How to Position Yourself as a Thought Leader on LinkedIn

A friend of mine, who has been in the data field for years, wanted to establish himself as a thought leader on LinkedIn but wasn’t gaining any traction. He felt like no one cared about what he was posting, and he asked for my advice.

The first thing I pointed out was that he needed to cater not only to data professionals but also to business leaders, bridging the gap between technical skills and business outcomes. I told him to stop reposting generic content and instead focus on sharing personal experiences and insights that would resonate with both audiences.

He remembered a project he did where he took the contents of multiple data sets in order to compile them into one dashboard — a perfect way to showcase his problem-solving skills. We collaborated to make a narrative of what he was up against and show how he succeeded. I encouraged him to add a Call To Action, encouraging other people to share their own stories.

I also stressed the importance of consistency — posting regularly, engaging with comments, and actively participating in conversations with others.

A few days later, he messaged me and said that his post received way more likes and comments than usual. That’s what happens when you approach LinkedIn with purpose and authenticity.