Leading Yourself: From Viral Articles to Empowering Workplaces | Elizabeth Lotardo | 574

In this episode of Thought Leadership Leverage, host Peter Winick sits down with Elizabeth Lotardo, author of "Leading Yourself: Find More Joy, Meaning, and Opportunities in the Job You Already Have," to explore her journey into thought leadership. Elizabeth, a consultant, Harvard Business Review contributor, and LinkedIn Learning instructor, shares her inspiring story and insights. Elizabeth's journey into thought leadership began with a powerful act of defiance. After quitting her job at an ad agency due to a toxic culture and lack of opportunity, she penned a raw and passionate article titled "Why Millennials Keep Dumping You. An Open Letter to Management." This article went viral, resonating deeply with professionals who felt unheard and undervalued. Elizabeth and Peter delve into the nature of viral content and the power of authentic, heartfelt writing. Going viral brought both support and criticism. Elizabeth discusses the mixed reactions and how she managed the rough comments alongside the positive feedback. This experience led her to write more on engagement from a Millennial perspective, eventually leading to her involvement with LinkedIn Learning. Transitioning from writing articles to creating courses for LinkedIn Learning was a new challenge for Elizabeth. She shares how LinkedIn helped her transform her engaging writing style into actionable, educational content. The key was to maintain authenticity while adapting to the platform’s demands, focusing on engagement and retention. Elizabeth’s upcoming book, "Leading Yourself," is set to release in Fall 2024. It addresses how to find joy, meaning, and opportunity in less-than-perfect jobs. Drawing from her decade-long consulting experience, Elizabeth highlights how mindset, behaviors, and relationships can transform one’s work experience. Inspired by the success of her LinkedIn course during the COVID-19 pandemic, she realized the growing need for this topic. In addition to her book, Elizabeth is developing a video version and corresponding training programs. These resources aim to help organizations instill the mindsets discussed in her book, empowering employees to create positive changes in their work environments. Three Key Takeaways: • Elizabeth's viral article, "Why Millennials Keep Dumping You," succeeded because of its genuine, passionate approach. Authenticity in thought leadership can resonate deeply with audiences and drive engagement. • Transitioning from writing articles to creating courses for LinkedIn Learning required Elizabeth to adapt her writing style while maintaining authenticity. Thought leaders must recognize and play to the strengths of each medium they engage with. • Elizabeth's upcoming book, "Leading Yourself," emphasizes the importance of mindset in finding joy, meaning, and opportunity in one's job. A positive mindset can empower individuals to thrive in less-than-perfect work environments. If you are interested in additional LinkedIn Learning courses be sure to check out the content from Leveraging Thought Leadership.