Why I Follow Liz Ryan, and You Should Too!

Spend any time whatsoever on LinkedIn, and you will be inundated with blogs, stories, news and ideas from the world’s foremost thought leaders on any topic, be it business, technology, leadership, HR practices, or what-have-you.

There are some that I follow, and others I read regularly. But Liz Ryan is one of those influencers that top my list. Liz has a mission to bring human energy and mojo into the workplace. So do I. She talks on topics of career development, employee challenges, leadership, job searches, and much more. So do I. So for me, it's not so much what she talks about, but how she talks about it. There lies the connection between us.  Here’s why

Breadth of application

One of the best attributes of her blogs is the breadth of application her topics touch. In any given article – whether it is for job seekers, employers, or workplace environment – there is something for everyone. Her insights always provide me with a take-away, be it for now or maybe later. She is not afraid to give something away useful and applicable. 

She challenges the status quo

In her own words Liz states that she has been an HR VP forever. Maybe so, but she sure doesn't speak like one, not one that I have ever met anyway. She uses language of the common worker, not the executive trying to impress. She challenges the perceived “rules” of engagement. In short, she causes me to think and evaluate what she promotes – whether I buy into it or not is another matter.

She applies common sense

Read one blog of hers and you can’t help but come away with “wow, I never considered that!” Sometimes it’s that common sense that actually challenges the status quo mentioned earlier. From her graphics to the language she employs, you can’t help but see the practical side of her position on a matter. Without ever stating it, it’s as if she is challenging her readers to try it for themselves and prove her wrong. 

She is funny

All of her topics are serious, but she expertly shows us her sense of humor. She even invites one and all to connect with her in LinkedIn, but adds that if you do, please add a joke to the invite. I love that! So I asked her to marry me and invited her to connect with me in LinkedIn. She accepted…my LinkedIn invitation, not my marriage proposal.

Real life applications

While all my previous reasons can be viewed as subjective, her relevancy to real life applications is not. They apply to the here and now, and in every industry I can think of. They apply to small business, medium enterprises, and large corporations. They apply to entrepreneurs, indie’s, and contractors alike. They apply to employees, employers; leaders, managers, workers; local companies and global companies.

And the list can go on. As you can see, I really like what Liz publishes, mostly because I find a comradery in her outlook on the work life. And when I find a connection that I believe in, I want to share it.

To learn more about Liz Ryan and her company, Human Workplace, visit http://www.humanworkplace.com

Question: Who influences you, and why?

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I’d like to know what you think. Feel free to let me know in the comments section below.