When my book Disrupt Yourself or Be Disrupted was published in late 2019, I was at a crossroads.

I needed a new platform to share my ideas and promote the book but I wasn’t sure which direction to take.

Up until that point, Facebook had been my main social media home. While it was great for connecting with friends and building a community, I found it extremely challenging to convert Facebook followers into actual customers or clients.

Facebook felt like a place where people were simply watching what you do, sending congratulatory messages, but not much more.

It was too “social” for what I needed at that stage of my career — too passive, too comfortable.

I needed something different. I thought of Instagram, but the pressure to constantly post picture-perfect images just didn’t sit well with me.

My work is about ideas and transformation, not aesthetics and Instagram felt more about looks than depth.

Then there was Twitter, now X but the limit on words felt restrictive — as you can tell, I have way too many words to say… haha! And besides, it felt too political at times.

That left me with LinkedIn — the elephant in the room.

Now, if I’m being honest, LinkedIn intimidated me. The titles alone were enough to make me feel like I didn’t belong — CEO, Managing Director, Startup Founder, Executive Director — the list goes on.

I would peek at the platform, feel overwhelmed, and then quickly close it.

I thought, What do I have to offer in a place full of such heavyweights?

But that mindset had to change.

I had something valuable to share, and I couldn’t afford to let imposter syndrome hold me back.

Eventually, I braved it, signed in properly and started sharing my thoughts and content. And oh boy, do I wish I had started sooner!

At first, it was slow. Building momentum and engagement on LinkedIn took time, just like with any social media platform.

But something felt different about LinkedIn.

LinkedIn isn’t a place for passive scrolling; it is a hub of professionals eager to engage, to learn and to take action.

As of this moment, I’ve built a community of over 122,000 followers on LinkedIn.

LinkedIn was and still is an underrated gold mine.

The more I wrote, the more I realized that my ideas around digital disruption, future skills and AI resonated deeply with LinkedIn’s audience.

These were people who weren’t just watching — they were reading, commenting, asking questions and even hiring me for speaking engagements.

The connections I’ve made on LinkedIn are different. They were purposeful and intentional, not just people liking a post but actively seeking solutions, knowledge and collaboration.

LinkedIn gave me a platform where I could be taken seriously — not because of my title but because of my ideas and insights.

It’s where I transformed from just being an author and speaker to becoming a global thought leader.

I’ve built trust on LinkedIn by showing up consistently, sharing real value and engaging in meaningful conversations.

In retrospect, LinkedIn wasn’t just a platform; it became the launchpad for my global brand.

It allowed me to connect with C-suite executives, global thought leaders, and organizations that needed my voice in their boardrooms and conferences.

And if there’s one thing I’d say to anyone reading this, it’s to stop letting titles intimidate you.

You don’t need to be a CEO or Startup Founder to make an impact on LinkedIn.

You just need to be brave enough to share your story, your ideas, and your value. The right people will find you.

Personal Branding on LinkedIn

Today, LinkedIn is a major part of my personal brand and business. I no longer see it as an intimidating place but as a thriving ecosystem of professionals ready to learn and grow.

It’s where I’ve built lasting partnerships, secured local and international speaking gigs and expanded my influence.

It’s also where I’ve inspired others to disrupt themselves before the world does it for them.

The beauty of LinkedIn is that it isn’t about instant gratification — it’s about long-term impact.

Unlike other social media platforms where trends come and go, LinkedIn is where the substance of your ideas can truly shine and take root.

For me, it was a gradual build. There weren’t viral posts or overnight success stories; it was the cumulative effect of consistency, authenticity, and providing real value to people who were hungry for knowledge.

LinkedIn’s audience isn’t just passively scrolling through. They are professionals actively seeking solutions to real-world problems.

My content around digital disruption, the future of work and AI hit home for many leaders who are trying to navigate these shifts.

LinkedIn has turned into a powerful tool for growing my brand.

One thing I learned quickly is that LinkedIn is all about relationships. It’s not a platform for broadcasting — it’s a place for engaging.

The connections I’ve made on LinkedIn aren’t fleeting; they are deep, valuable and often lead to long-term partnerships.

Many of my most significant business opportunities — whether it was a keynote invitation, consulting gig, or partnership — started with a simple message exchange or comment thread on LinkedIn.

I began nurturing these relationships with care and intention, always adding value first before anything else.

What’s even more fascinating about LinkedIn is the global reach it offers. When I first started, I had no idea how far my voice would travel.

Through LinkedIn, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with organizations and individuals across continents — from Africa to Europe, Asia to North America.

It wasn’t just about speaking to local audiences anymore; my message was resonating with people around the world.

Is it worth building your Personal Brand on LinkedIn?

The platform allowed me to position myself as a global thought leader, someone who could speak to issues affecting the entire world of work not just my local environment.

And that’s how Digitally Fit Global, my consulting business was born. I didn’t just want to be someone who talks about digital disruption.

I wanted to help businesses and professionals become digitally fit in this fast-changing world.

One of the most rewarding aspects of this journey has been seeing the tangible impact my message has had on individuals and organizations.

From the C-suite executives who invite me to speak at their conferences to the young professionals who reach out to me for mentorship and coaching.

LinkedIn has allowed me to not only grow my brand but to empower others along the way. The feedback, the success stories, the transformations — they’re the fuel that keeps me going.

Of course, the road hasn’t always been smooth. Building a brand on LinkedIn requires patience, consistency, a thick skin and a willingness to learn.

There were times when my posts didn’t get the engagement I hoped for or when I felt like I wasn’t making the impact I wanted.

But that’s part of the process. Every post, every article and every comment is a step in the right direction.

Looking back, I can confidently say that taking the leap into LinkedIn has been one of the best decisions I ever made for my personal brand and my career.

It pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to grow in ways I never imagined. What started as a place that intimidated me became the foundation for my global brand.

If you’re in a similar place — unsure, intimidated or hesitant, I encourage you to take the plunge.

LinkedIn is the perfect platform for those who are serious about growth, impact and making meaningful connections.

It’s not just a professional network; it’s a place where you can build a legacy, one piece of content at a time.

And remember, it’s not about the titles you see. It’s about the value you bring. The world is waiting to hear your voice.