Community Building Tips

Today, I will be addressing a harsh truth I don’t see many people talk about until “mental health awareness day”. We prioritize physical fitness, pushing ourselves to stay strong and healthy. But what about our mental well-being? We see tons of tips on meditation and journaling (both great practices), but what about a hidden gem that might be even more powerful? The Power of Social Connection. Our brains actually crave connection. Studies by psychologist Matthew Lieberman show that simply talking to someone we trust can lower stress hormones and boost our mood. Think about it: when you're feeling overwhelmed, chatting with a friend or family member can offer a fresh perspective and remind you that you're not alone. - Instead of solo walks, try incorporating social interaction. - Walking with friends, family, or even joining a walking group can double the benefits. - You get the physical exercise you love, plus the emotional support that comes with connecting with others. While venting can be helpful in the short term, true mental well-being goes beyond just letting off steam. When you walk and talk with loved ones, you can use this time to brainstorm solutions to problems together. Having different perspectives can lead to creative ideas, and feeling supported in tackling challenges can make a huge difference in reducing stress and anxiety. Taking care of your mental well-being isn't about waiting for a specific day or following the latest trends. It's about incorporating healthy habits into your everyday routine. Social connection is a powerful, and often overlooked, tool for mental fitness. So, lace up your shoes, grab a friend or family member, and walk your way to a stronger, more resilient you! What are your favorite ways to connect with others and boost your mental well-being? #mentalhealth #fitness #mindset #growth

Just because I can’t eat, doesn’t mean I dont want to be included. The festive period is around the corner, and it can be one of the most difficult times living with a feeding tube, as even more so than it usual, talk and gatherings of food heighten. So how do we promote inclusion for everyone around the table? 1. Access to facilities and private spaces: always provide access to a private space for somebody to disconnect or connect their tubes, which is clean and private and bathrooms with sanitatary bins. 2. Respectful curiosity and judgement free: never judge, stare, ask intrusive questions to anybody who may not be eating, eating something different, or has different food habits. Any questions should be asked respectfully and with the intent of inclusion not embarrassment. 3. Ask before laying a place at the table: some people like to have a place laid for them even if they are not eating, others do not. Some people will bring their own implements and food so always ask in advance what makes that person feel most comfortable. 4. Shift focus away from food and drink: ensure that games, conversations and activities are not just focused around the food and drink to be inclusive of fun for everyone. Where food is a central part of something, think of providing alternatives such as a table activities. 5. Ask about food and drink in advance: ask someone’s preferences about what they need well in advance to avoid making anyone feel uncomfortable for declining or not being able to join in. Remember most people with feeding tubes can still eat but usually specific or small amounts. 6. Welcome those bringing their own food: feeding tube users often have safe foods which don’t upset their stomachs, or a strict diet they must adhere to, so always welcome people brining their own food with them. 7. Respect allergies and triggers: always ask someone’s dietary requirements in advance, and take strict care with cross-contamination. Also be conscious of certain foods which might be triggering. 8. Reserve space at the end of the table/exit: if set places try and place someone with a tube at the end of the table or near facilities so they feel more able to get and down from the table. 9. Don’t forget our invite to events: just because we might not participate in the same way, doesn’t mean we don’t want to be included! #Disability #Disabled #FeedingTube #Food #Christmas Image description: The image is a black square graphic, across the top in white and bold writing it reads ‘How to: feeding tubes, inclusion at the table’. In the top right hand corner is a picture of Celia and Jamie, Jamie has a cream cake in his hand in front of Celia, she is leaning down with wide eyes to smell it. Underneath are nine yellow, pink and blue coloured boxes with heading text and little descriptive symbols using the headings from the points of this written text above. In the bottom right hand corner is the Disabled By Society logo in pink and white.

Extractive research does not feel like it when you're the one holding the syringe. It feels like methodology. Like rigour. Like fieldwork. It feels like genuinely caring about the people you're sitting across from, right up until the data is collected, the laptop bag is zipped, and the car back to the city is waiting outside. Then you cited their poverty. You didn't cite them. Their answers shaped your conclusions. Their stories built your argument. Their pain gave your findings weight. Their names appear nowhere. Your ethics board approved it. The community never did. Not really. They signed the form. That is not the same as having power over their own story. They answered your questions. That is not the same as shaping which questions got asked. They participated. That is not the same as leading. Here is how to adopt a different approach. One grounded in respect, shared power, and long-term connection. Build trust before collecting data → Start with relationships, not research agendas. Follow the community’s lead → Let local voices shape the questions that get asked, and the solutions that get prioritised. Use creative, inclusive methods → From story circles to role plays to community mapping, gather data in ways that feel natural and empowering. Co-analyse, co-write, co-present → This isn’t about handing over transcripts. It’s about sharing meaning-making power. ---- Want insights like this directly in your inbox? Sign up for my mailing list. It's FREE! 👉 https://lnkd.in/ec8mqV2M

Over the last 4 years, I've helped 150+ founders build profitable, influential & money-making brands on LinkedIn — in just 3 months! I know what you're thinking - "Sakshi, that's great, but I'm stuck. How do I do this?" Don't worry; I've got you covered. Here are 9 steps to build your LinkedIn personal brand in 90 days or less: 1/ Prove yourself through a killer headline: Don’t just say "Founder." Make your headline a mini-pitch that highlights what you do and who you help. Think: "I help professionals climb the career ladder through data-driven executive training in 70 days." 2/ Show your story through an irresistible About section: Talk directly to your audience. Share your journey, your mission, and how you can help them. Make it personal, not a boring resume summary. 3/ Post with a reason: Every post should have a goal—whether it’s sharing a lesson, inspiring your audience, or starting a conversation. Make sure it aligns with your overall brand. 4/ Get personal, get real: People love vulnerability. Share your failures and what you’ve learned along the way. It’ll make you more relatable and human. 5/ Engage as much as you can: Instead of just scrolling through your feed, spend 20 minutes daily leaving thoughtful comments. This builds stronger relationships than just likes and reactions. 6/ Show your face: Use photos and videos of yourself. A simple selfie with a quick story or insight can do wonders in making your brand more approachable. 7/ Build mini-content series: Break down complex topics into bite-sized posts that flow over a week. For example, "5 days of career tips for new professionals." This keeps people coming back for more. 8/ DM with value: Don’t just cold-pitch people. When you connect with someone, send them a personalised message with a genuine compliment or offer something useful. If it’s a pitch, try being direct in the 1st message itself. 9/ Track your progress: Use LinkedIn analytics and tools like Shield to monitor your post engagement and profile views. Adjust your strategy based on what resonates most with your audience. Now, here's something interesting: According to LinkedIn, members who post weekly on the platform are 5 times more likely to be contacted for new opportunities. That's the power of consistent branding! Let me share a quick story that might inspire you: When I started on LinkedIn, I was nervous about posting. But I remembered I once read: “The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” Alan Watts So, I took the plunge. My first post got only 3 likes, but I kept going. Six months later, I had my first viral post with over 1000 likes. That's when I realised - content isn’t the power, consistency is! Building a personal brand takes time and effort, but it's worth it. So, which of these steps will you start with today? #linkedinstrategy #personalbranding #entrepreneurtips #indianstartups

It’s not about collecting business cards or follower counts. It’s about building bridges with people who get it - who challenge you, inspire you, and open doors you didn’t know existed. The right network doesn’t just grow your career - it expands your mindset, your confidence, and your opportunities. Here are 12 ways to build powerful, authentic connections: 1️⃣ Lead with curiosity. Ask, don’t pitch. People love being seen and heard. 2️⃣ Add value first. Share insights, introductions, or encouragement before asking for anything. 3️⃣ Show up consistently. Comment, engage, and participate where your industry hangs out. 4️⃣ Find your communities. Join professional groups, Slack channels, or niche forums. 5️⃣ Attend events strategically. Go where your next mentor, collaborator, or client might actually be. 6️⃣ Follow up. A short, thoughtful message can turn a conversation into a relationship. 7️⃣ Be generous with your expertise. Give more than you take - it builds reputation fast. 8️⃣ Don’t chase status. The best opportunities often come from peers, not big titles. 9️⃣ Stay authentic. Pretending to be someone you’re not is the fastest way to disconnect. 1️⃣0️⃣ Keep it human. Share stories, not sales pitches. 1️⃣1️⃣ Support others publicly. Celebrate others’ wins - it builds goodwill that lasts. 1️⃣2️⃣ Play the long game. Relationships compound like interest; nurture them with time. The truth? You’re one conversation away from a completely different path. Image credit: Tim Stoddart

“Let’s celebrate our differences!” — easy to say when you’ve never actually had to WORK through real differences. Here’s the thing: Real differences don’t feel like a celebration. They feel messy, uncomfortable, even threatening. 🧠 Our brains are hardwired to detect difference as potential danger. When someone thinks, works, or communicates differently than we do, our first instinct isn’t to embrace it—it’s to resist it. Recently, I worked with a team trapped in conflict for years. The problem wasn’t competence or commitment. It was cognitive diversity they didn’t know how to handle. 👉 One part of the team was task-focused—eager to get to the point and skip the relational aspects of collaboration. 👉 The other part was relationship-driven—prioritizing emotional connection and dialogue before diving into action. Celebrate their differences? Not likely. 🚫 The task-focused group saw the others as emotionally needy attention-seekers. 🚫 The relationship-driven group saw their counterparts as cold and disengaged. So, what changed everything? Not a shallow celebration of their diversity, but finding their common ground. 🚀 I used my D.U.N.R. Team Methodology to transform their conflict into collaboration: 1️⃣ D – Diversity: we explored their differences without judgment and recognized the strengths in both approaches. 2️⃣ U – Unity: we found their shared purpose—every one of them cared deeply about the team’s success, just in different ways. 3️⃣ N – Norms: we co-created practical norms that guided their interactions and set clear expectations. 4️⃣ R – Rituals: we introduced rituals to honor both styles while reducing friction and fostering collaboration. The real breakthrough? Not pretending their differences were easy, but building bridges through shared values. My honest take: If you’ve truly worked through real differences, you know it’s not about celebrating them—it’s about navigating them with care and intentionality. 💡 Celebrate your common ground first.  That’s how you unlock the power of team diversity. What’s your experience with managing real differences on a team? 🔔 Follow me for more insights on inclusive, high-performing teams. ___________________________________________________ 🌟 If you're new here, hi! :) I’m Susanna. I help companies build an inclusive culture with high-performing and psychologically safe teams.

A BIG follower count looks impressive. But followers don’t pay the bills 🤷🏻♀️ High numbers ≠ revenue. Why? Because followers don’t always translate to trust. That’s the difference between having an audience or a community. An AUDIENCE listens. But they’re passive. They consume your content and move on. A COMMUNITY? They engage. They connect. They show up for you. Audiences might watch from the sidelines. Communities take action. They invest. They stick around. And here’s the key difference: Communities are built on shared values, not just content. If you’re struggling to monetise, it might not be about growing your follower count. It’s about deepening your relationships. So, how do you build a community on LinkedIn? 1. Start conversations, not monologues. Ask questions. Invite opinions. Respond to comments with thought and care. 2. Be authentic. Share your wins and your challenges. Vulnerability creates connection. 3. Engage outside your posts. Comment on other people’s content. Join relevant discussions. Be present where your audience is. 4. Create shared value. Offer insights, solve problems, and share ideas that help your network grow. 5. Highlight others. Celebrate their wins. Share their content. Show that you care about their journey. 6. Be consistent. Communities thrive on trust, and trust is built by showing up regularly over time. 7. Take it offline. Meetups, coffee chats, or webinars. Bring your LinkedIn network into real-life connections. A handshake or face-to-face conversation builds bonds no algorithm can replicate. Communities aren’t built overnight. They grow when you focus on connection over attention. Because people don’t just buy products or services. They buy trust. They buy relationships. When you build a community, you don’t just have followers. You have advocates. Supporters. Friends. That’s the real game-changer. PS: Do you have an audience or a community?

"I go to parties, but no one ever approaches me. Is something wrong with me?" A friend asked me this recently. She’s smart. Charming. Totally magnetic. But there was a problem: Her body language was screaming, "DO NOT APPROACH." Here's how to fix approachability (whether you’re networking or just want better social connections): 1. Open Your Torso Always keep your torso angled toward the room, not closed off. We instinctively avoid approaching people with: • Crossed arms • Something clutched to their chest • Bodies turned away from the crowd Opening your body physically and subconsciously signals "I'm open to conversation." ____ 2. Use "Croissant Feet" When standing or talking, position your feet like a croissant—slightly open toward the room. This subtle stance shows you're physically available for others to join your conversation. ____ 3. Stand in the Strategic Spot Most people stand by the entrance, food, or bathroom. Wrong. The sweet spot: Right where people exit the coffee station with drinks in hand. They're ready to mingle, relaxed, and looking to engage. ____ 4. Master the Eyebrow Flash See someone across the room you want to connect with? Give them a subtle eyebrow raise. It's a universal silent “hello” that works across cultures. Note: It's brief - just a quick flash, not a sustained raise. ____ 5. Wear Conversation Starters I wear my Ravenclaw Harry Potter shirt to the gym. People constantly approach me to talk about houses, favorite characters, or share their Hogwarts stories. Other examples: • College alumni gear • Unique accessories (I wear red shoes that always start conversations) • Name tags with something interesting (I write "Recovering Awkward Person" under my name) ____ 6. Treat Strangers Like Old Friends The energy you bring to an old friend is warm and welcoming. With strangers, we get reserved and boring. Instead of: "Nice to meet you. What do you do?" Try: "Oh, it's so great to meet you! What’s been the highlight of your week?" ____ 7. Be "Smile Ready" (Not Fake Smiley) Don't walk around with a permanent grin - that's weird. Instead, be ready with an authentic smile when something genuinely excites you. Real smiles reach your upper cheek muscles. Save them for moments like "Oh, you got a new puppy? I love dogs! Can I see pictures?" ____ Remember: Approachability isn’t just for extroverts. It’s a skill anyone can practice. Making small adjustments in positioning, posture, and energy can completely transform how others perceive and approach you.

In today’s evolving workplace, fostering a culture of inclusion isn’t just a “nice to have”—it’s essential for innovation, collaboration, and belonging. Dr. Liz Wilson's 8-Inclusion Needs of All People Framework provides a comprehensive approach to fostering inclusion by addressing the fundamental needs individuals have to feel seen, heard, valued, and supported in both personal and professional environments. Grounded in intersectionality, the framework emphasizes that inclusion efforts must consider the diverse, overlapping identities of individuals to create equitable outcomes. The eight inclusion needs are: Access – Ensuring everyone can participate fully by removing physical, cultural, or systemic barriers. Space – Creating environments where individuals can authentically express themselves. Opportunity – Providing equitable chances for growth and advancement. Allowance – Recognizing and respecting the uniqueness of every person’s identity and experience. Representation – Amplifying diverse voices and ensuring all groups are visibly included. Language – Using inclusive communication that acknowledges and respects differences. Respect – Treating all individuals with dignity and fairness. Support – Offering resources and systems to empower individuals and address challenges. This framework shifts away from conventional inclusion strategies that often attempt to assimilate individuals into existing norms. Instead, it advocates for transforming organizations to embrace the full spectrum of human diversity and intersectionality, ensuring everyone can thrive collectively. Dr. Liz’s work underscores the importance of proactive, ongoing inclusion efforts tailored to these needs, offering tools and strategies to integrate these principles into everyday practices. #inclusion #belonging #leadership

Most people in tech believe career growth is all about getting better at your craft. And don’t get me wrong- skills do matter. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: It’s not just about how good you are. It’s about who knows how good you are. Some of the most talented engineers I’ve worked with stayed stuck in the same role for years, not because they weren’t skilled, but because no one outside their immediate circle knew the impact they were making. Meanwhile, others who actively shared their work, spoke at events, collaborated publicly, or mentored others; they became the names that came up in rooms they weren’t even in yet. That’s what visibility does. For me, building visibility has looked like: 🤝 Sharing what I’m learning- not just what I already know. Posting takeaways from AI research papers, experiments with new tools, and real-world lessons from building systems. 📱Posting behind-the-scenes of projects, including the messy drafts. Sharing wins is easy. Sharing your process builds trust. 🎤 Speaking at meetups, podcasts, and panels Every small talk leads to bigger rooms. It’s all about building reps, and getting more people hear your thoughts. 📚Turning complex technical ideas into simple frameworks. Think: diagrams, cheat sheets, carousels. If people can learn from you easily, they’ll remember you. 🌎 Collaborating publicly and giving credit. Tag teammates, mention mentors, share lessons learned together. Visibility is not a solo game. 👩🏫 Mentoring early-career professionals. Teaching makes your knowledge visible, and it pays forward the support you once needed. 📝 Documenting your journey authentically. Not just “look at this big launch,” but “here’s what I learned this week,” or “here’s where I’m stuck and what I’m trying next.” 👥 Being active in the community- both online and offline. Whether it’s commenting on posts, joining Slack groups, or attending AI meetups, showing up consistently makes a difference. It’s not about becoming a “thought leader.” It’s about becoming someone people remember when opportunities come up. Because at the end of the day: Skill × Visibility = Career Growth If you’re already learning, building, and solving problems, start showing it ❤️ That’s how you grow beyond your current role.