How to Become a Thought(ful) Leader on LinkedIn
Are you chasing the title of "thought leader" on LinkedIn?
If you’ve Googled “how to become a thought leader on LinkedIn,” you’ll find over 59 million results. Then, if you search for "thoughtful leader," you get many of the same results—as if the two terms are interchangeable.
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡: 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫.
In this episode of Mondays with Mindi, we break down what those differences are—and why it matters. Too often, people focus on the "thought" part of leadership, posting for attention and validation.
But what if you led with intention, empathy, and authenticity instead?
We’ll explore why thoughtful leadership is the key to building deeper connections and lasting impact on LinkedIn.
If you’re ready to go beyond surface-level influence and make a genuine difference in your network, this event is for you.
One Video. One Profile. One Message.
Once upon a time, a few years ago, I met a beautiful human who felt stuck and at a crossroads in her career. Her husband came across one of my livestreams in his feed, and he shared that video with her. It must have resonated.
This led to her joining my program, The LinkedIn Accelerator, where she showed up every single session, asked loads of thoughtful questions, implemented what we discussed, and continued to take action to grow her network.
At the time, she had less than 100 connections, had just created her LinkedIn profile, and felt daunted by the task ahead. Trying to figure out her positioning and who she wanted to be when she grew up was one of her biggest challenges.
Skip forward to today… She now has more than 5,000 active followers with excellent engagement on her posts. She is a renowned expert in empathy, and you have likely come across one of her podcast episodes, interviews, videos, and content.
Just last month, she was speaking at Cambridge University on stage and looked like a completely different person from the woman who felt nervous about taking up too much time with her questions.
Empowered. Standing in her truth. Leading others toward empathy.
This is thought leadership. It’s not about just collecting followers. Rather, it’s about communicating what you know, leaning into your strengths, and connecting with others.
Dr. Melissa Robinson-Winemiller is a shining example of what it means to be a thought(ful) leader on LinkedIn.
…and if you are not following her work, check out her profile!
This could be you. It doesn’t take someone with a high falutin’ career or 10K+ followers on LinkedIn to become a thoughtful leader. It starts with believing in yourself, discovering your message, and sharing your wisdom with others.
Thought Leaders are NOT always Thought(ful) Leaders
Too many people are trying to become thought leaders on LinkedIn.
If you Google “how to become a thought leader on LinkedIn” you will get more than 59 million search results. If you then try to Google “how to become a thoughtful leader” you will get many of the same results showing up, almost as if Google is confused that you really meant “thought leader.”
There’s a disconnect between thought and thoughtful. Three small letters make a huge difference.
We’re going to talk about the difference between being a thought leader and a thoughtful leader—and why so many people seem to chase the title of 'thought leader' but forget the importance of being a thoughtful leader.
So, let’s break it down. A thought leader—it’s a term we hear all the time, right? These are the people who are recognized as experts in their field. They’re the ones driving conversations, sharing innovative ideas, and often leading the charge when it comes to trends in their industry. They’re the go-to sources for the latest insights, and their opinions hold weight. You see them at conferences, in articles, and, yes, all over LinkedIn, sharing their expertise.
Sounds pretty cool, right? But here’s the thing…
While it’s great to be known as a thought leader, there’s another kind of leader that I think we should talk about more—a thoughtful leader. Now, what do I mean by that? A thoughtful leader is someone who leads with empathy, consideration, and a deep understanding of the people around them. They’re not just focused on being the loudest voice in the room or sharing the most groundbreaking ideas. Instead, they prioritize the well-being of their team, their organization, or their community.
Thoughtful leaders are the ones who listen, reflect, and make decisions that truly consider the impact on others. They’re intentional in their actions and mindful of the ripple effects of their leadership. It’s a leadership style that’s not always flashy, but it’s incredibly powerful."
Now, I’m curious—how many of you have worked with or encountered a thoughtful leader? What was that experience like? Share your thoughts in the comments!
The Value of Thoughtful Leadership
Here’s where it gets interesting. On LinkedIn, we see so many people striving to be thought leaders—sharing content, posting insights, and trying to make a name for themselves. And there’s nothing wrong with that! But in their rush to stand out, we sometimes forget the value of being thoughtful.
I see it all the time—people posting just to post, or pushing out content that’s more about grabbing attention than providing real value. But imagine if we all put as much effort into being thoughtful leaders as we do into being thought leaders.
What if we focused not just on what we’re sharing, but on how and why we’re sharing it? What if we led with empathy, and truly considered the impact of our words and actions on those who read them?
I believe that LinkedIn, and the professional world in general, could benefit from more thoughtful leaders. Leaders who prioritize integrity, compassion, and the well-being of others, alongside their expertise. Because at the end of the day, people may remember what you said, but they’ll definitely remember how you made them feel.
So, as you build your presence on LinkedIn—or anywhere else—ask yourself: Am I just trying to be a thought leader, or am I striving to be a thoughtful leader as well? Trust me, the impact you’ll make as a thoughtful leader will last far longer and go much deeper.
3 Ways to Express Thoughtful Leadership on LinkedIn
Alright, so let’s talk about some practical ways we can all become more thoughtful leaders on LinkedIn. Here are three simple yet powerful strategies you can start using right now:
1. Listen Before You Post
First, let’s focus on listening. Before you hit that 'post' button, take a moment to really listen to your audience. What are they talking about? What challenges are they facing? By tuning into the conversations happening around you, you can share content that’s not just relevant but also deeply resonant. It’s about contributing to the dialogue in a way that adds real value, rather than just adding noise.
2. Engage with Empathy
Next, let’s talk about engagement. When you comment on someone’s post or reply to a message, do it with empathy. Instead of just dropping a quick 'Great post!' or 'Congrats!', take the time to acknowledge the person’s perspective, offer genuine encouragement, or ask thoughtful questions. This kind of meaningful interaction not only builds stronger connections but also shows that you truly care about the people in your network.
3. Share Stories, Not Just Facts
Lastly, don’t be afraid to share your stories. Facts and figures are important, but it’s the stories that really connect with people on a deeper level. Whether it’s a lesson you’ve learned, a challenge you’ve overcome, or a moment that changed your perspective—sharing your experiences with authenticity can inspire others and create a lasting impact. Remember, being thoughtful isn’t just about what you know; it’s about how you make others feel through your words and actions.
So, there you have it—three ways to start leading with thoughtfulness on LinkedIn. Listen before you post, engage with empathy, and share your stories. Let’s all strive to make LinkedIn not just a place for thought leadership, but for thoughtful leadership as well.
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If you’re looking for that extra edge to get you started on the right path with your profile, check out my FREE LinkedIn profile mini-training video series that will help you dial in the most important sections of your LinkedIn profile to set it up for thoughtful leadership today. Comment below with “I want the training!” I’ll then send you the direct link.
