In this episode of the Calm the Pharm podcast, host Sarah Stoddart shares insights from her recent experience at Leanne Hughes's Con Con, a conference designed for a diverse group of professionals including consultants, facilitators, and business owners. The event emphasised skill-building over industry-specific discussions, fostering cross-disciplinary relationships. Sarah participated in the Great Debate, where she argued against the notion that time spent on LinkedIn is worth it for consultants. As a former debating coach and captain, she relished the opportunity to discuss this topic. The affirmative team presented arguments favoring LinkedIn, citing success stories where contracts emerged from connections made on the platform. Their stance was that visibility on LinkedIn is crucial, suggesting that absence from the site leads to invisibility in the professional landscape. Conversely, Sarah’s negative team argued that LinkedIn has devolved into an "AI cesspool," prioritizing algorithm-driven visibility over meaningful human connections. Sarah emphasised that too much time spent on social media diminishes health and well-being, citing a long-term Harvard study indicating that the quality of interpersonal relationships is the most significant contributor to happiness, rather than professional status or achievements. Throughout her speech, she reiterated the phrase "let’s take this offline," effectively summarising the argument that offline interactions lead to genuine relationship building and professional opportunities. In closing her segment, she asserted that likes, comments, and social media presence do not equate to substantial business outcomes: "People, not algorithms, build trust." Sarah encouraged listeners to reflect on their own use of online platforms and consider the value of investing time in face-to-face relationships instead. She invited feedback on this topic, concluding the episode by expressing her eagerness to engage with her audience on this vital aspect of professional development. This episode serves as a compelling reminder for professionals to prioritise authentic relationships over virtual visibility, encouraging a shift from online engagement to personal connections to enhance business success and overall well-being. Calm The Pharm is brought to you by your host, Sarah Stoddart. Sarah is the founder and director of Vitality Law Australia, a boutique law firm which provides small business owners and healthcare professionals across Australia with clear legal pathways and peace of mind. She is recognised as a leader in the healthcare industry and is one of only a few lawyers in Australia with specialist experience working with pharmacy businesses. In 2021, Sarah was named the Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Australian Sole Practitioner of the Year. She was also named as a finalist in the AusMumpreneur Business Awards. In 2022, she was named as a finalist in the Women in Business Awards for The Hills and Districts Chamber of Commerce, the Australian Law Awards and again in the Women in Law Awards. Sarah is the co-author of business book, “Courage and Confidence”. The book is a collection of inspirational stories combined with practical tools, tips and advice written by a small group of Australian women in business. She is also a non-executive director of MS Queensland. www.vitalitylawaustralia.com Instagram: @vitalitylawaustralia Facebook: Vitality Law Australia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-stoddart-23b92240/
