How to help your executives become thought leaders on LinkedIn

Executive communications is often thought of as existing in the realm of internal communications. But increasingly, leaders are being asked to communicate directly with the public – which is, of course, where the PR team comes in. One way that many leaders are building their reputations and becoming go-to sources for industry news is through thought leadership.

Because LinkedIn is already a gathering place for so many professionals, it’s a natural fit for creating your executive’s persona as a thought leader. Jenn Spantak, senior manager of employee experience for Honeywell, recently shared her LinkedIn tips in “Showcasing Your Thought Leadership and Subject Matter Experts on LinkedIn.” Here are her tips for guiding your executive to thought leadership success:

“The best thought leadership focuses on your audience, not yourself,” Spantak says. And, of course, it makes sense. When you’re at a party, everyone hates to be cornered by that one guy who just wants to talk about how he made a ton of money in crypto. The same is true on LinkedIn. If you start your thought leadership intending only to push yourself, you’re not going to succeed.