You want to be a thought leader. You’ve got big ideas to do work and life differently. But when should you express those views publicly – and when should you limit them to family and friends?
Want to skip the pep talk and get my top 5 tips now? I don’t mind!
Business owners in values alignment
If you are your business brand – think Brene Brown, Esther Perel and Mykel Dixon – thought leadership feels like a more comfortable space to inhabit. Your business is built on your unique ideas and engagement. If you frame your business as disruptive to the norm, then your out there, left-of-field ideas are expected and welcomed. Think Brene first talking about vulnerability in a professional context; Esther bringing desire to mainstream discourse; and Mykel bringing in a cheeky band to your very non-corporate day out!
Of course, you still need to be sensitive to your ideal audience’s interests, needs and leanings so you stay in business. But often, the more of you that’s on offer, the more likely you’ll be to attract the people you love influencing, working with and transforming.
Employees, intrapreneurs and the values juggle
On the other hand, many thought leaders wear more than one hat. Monday – Wednesday you work for the man. Thursdays and Fridays you work for yourself, sit on a Board, run a charitable endeavour, host unique events or white label on your friend’s professional projects. Integrating your personal beliefs and ideas with the values and vision of the other organisations and people you work for or with is not always easy.
Michelle’s experience of holding back online
Until recently, I worked part-time in a university. I was cautious about posting my political views and perspectives on LinkedIn. What if my line manager saw something that wasn’t aligned with the institution? Would I be ‘in trouble’? I felt passionately about certain issues in the tertiary sector, was concerned by the rising violence against women, thought the workplace lacked humanity and play, and saw a gap for deeper critical thinking skills in our society. But I held back from telling you a lot of this!
Fast forward to today – when I work full time for myself – and you’ll see me critique a range of government bodies, political ideas, patriarchal structures and environmental approaches. I certainly don’t hold back in this post on LinkedIn openly challenging the government and its current bill to alter international student visas! I still carefully consider ideas before I post online. But I certainly feel more ‘free to be me’ than I did in the past.
Reward vs risk in personal brand expression
Elon Musk is an extreme example of how being too openly ‘yourself’ can cause conflict and potential challenges in your professional life. His views and values stray far from the vision of the companies he owns – and he doesn’t seem to care. In this former post I explore what Musk gets wrong about managing his personal brand.
However, you don’t need to quit your business or job, and go all in on ‘thought leadership as my main business brand’ to be your full self online. Your personal brand, built around your genuine views and values, can form an essential part of your professional persona in all contexts. In fact – it’s a non-negotiable today.
Too many of us have been playing it safe at work. We’ve bought into the corporate promise of success through conformity, even as the toll on our mental health grows.
Despite the minimal returns, we feel trapped in the game. But how long can we keep playing? We spend roughly 90,000 hours at work—that’s about one-third of our lives. Can we truly sustain the act of hiding who we are?
The idea of ‘towing the company line’ is becoming a relic. Most of us won’t spend our careers at a single company anymore. We’ll move, shift and evolve, propelled by technological advancements and social change. The jobs we do now may not even exist a decade from now. In an era of change, transition and disruption, our one constant will be our personal brand, built around the essence of who we are and how we want to show up in the world.
5 tips to navigate personal expression in professional settings
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to figuring out when to speak out, and when to stay silent. You will need to consider your personal:
- appetite for risk
- confidence in your stance or perspective on an issue
- ability to hold your ground and sense of self in the face of potential criticism
The following 5 tips act as a guide to complement the above. They’ll encourage you to confidently express your personal views while maintaining the integrity of your business, organisation or partner’s brand.
1. FIND THE POINTS OF CONNECTION
Ideally, at least some of your personal values and views are complemented by those of the organisation or your business. Find the points where your views and values align, and amplify this in your messaging. When there’s a mismatch between you, the human, and your employer or business, work and life become strained. Your personal credibility may also suffer if you’re not acting in a way that’s consistent with your values. If you’re in an environment where your personal and business values are vastly misaligned, it might be time to consider moving on…
2. Separate personal views from corporate messaging
Always keep a clear distinction between your personal opinions and your organisation’s official stance, especially on controversial topics. This ensures the brand remains neutral while allowing you to express your views. For example, Antoinette Latouf was reportedly dismissed from ABC Radio in December 2023 after re-sharing a Human Rights Watch post about the Israel-Gaza conflict. The ABC claimed she violated their directive to avoid posting on controversial matters. While I support Latouf, her dismissal highlights the risks of straying from company policies. Know the rules, and if you’re uncertain, it’s safer not to post.
3. Engage with empathy
Approach sensitive topics with empathy, considering diverse perspectives and the potential impact of your words. When relevant, frame your views as part of a broader, constructive discussion, but always be aware of evolving societal expectations. Engaging with empathy or framing a critique in positive or constructive language can turn challenging conversations into opportunities for growth and understanding.
4. know when to stay silent
When taking a public stance, be transparent about your reasons. People are more likely to trust you if they understand your motivations. Sometimes, however, silence is powerful. Choose when and where to voice opinions, especially if it could harm your brand or relationships. Never post an idea or response just for the ‘likes’.
5. Take responsibility for mistakes
Being called out online for offending a cultural or social group or individual (even inadvertently) can feel embarrassing or threatening. Avoid defaulting to a defensive stance out of fear. Take time to understand why your viewpoint was hurtful, own up to any mistakes and address them quickly. You’ll demonstrate accountability and rebuild trust.
A final word
By aligning your personal values with business or organisational goals, practising empathy and carefully choosing when and how to express your views, you can show up honestly and easily without jeopardising your work. In fact, embracing openness and transparency may help you attract a stronger following in those people who share your beliefs and appreciate your confidence in voicing ideas they were too shy to share themselves. Through authentic leadership, you guide others and inspire them to embrace their own values, vision and voice.
