Networking Etiquette

Want to pitch someone on LinkedIn? Read this before you hit “send.” Every week, I get messages that go something like this: “Hi, I’m [Name]. I’ve built this incredible thing. It’s doing amazing work. Here’s why it matters. Can you help me/share it/connect me?” It’s not that I don’t care. I do. But these messages usually miss the mark and here’s why: They center the sender. Not the receiver. Here’s the truth: When you approach someone for the first time, you (and your project, product, or platform) are not the hero of the story. THEY are. If you want someone to care, start by showing that you care about what they do, what they stand for, what they’re building. Read their posts. Watch their interviews. Figure out what they’re trying to solve. Then ask yourself: how does what I’m doing help them win? Make your message less “I need,” and more “Here’s what I see in your work and how I can add value.” Additional tips: 💬 Keep it short. Long-winded intros are overwhelming. You’re not writing your bio, you’re opening a door! Three concise paragraphs is plenty (even less if you can). 🎯 Be specific. Instead of saying, “Let’s collaborate,” say: “I’d love to explore how we could align my youth platform with your mission to build stronger leadership pipelines.” People respond better when they know exactly what you’re asking. What’s your call to action? 🧠 Show you’ve done your homework. A thoughtful compliment goes a long way. “Your post on LinkedIn really made me think.” “I noticed you’ve been working on Y and I’m building something that could support that.” It shows you care enough to listen first. 🤝 Give before you ask. Share a helpful resource. Offer a useful intro. Tell them about an opportunity they might benefit from. Relationships are built on generosity. 📆 Respect their time. Instead of jumping into a call request, consider asking: “Would it be okay if I shared a 1-pager for you to skim in your own time?” People are more open when they don’t feel pressured. Please don’t immediately ask for a call. 💡 Think of it as planting, not picking. Your goal isn’t to “get” something, it’s to begin something. Not all outreach will lead to a project right away, but if done well, it can spark long-term relationships, ideas, and even unexpected opportunities. ✨ Bonus hack: I often ask my clients to count how many times they say “I” vs. “you” when they write to, present to or speak to their stakeholders. If the “I”s win, revise. It’s not listener-centric enough. Connection starts with empathy, not ego. Lead with curiosity. Offer service. That’s how collaborations are born. If these tips are helpful, check out Storytelling and Leadership for more. #Storytelling #AuthenticConnections #LinkedInTips #Leadership #PurposefulWork

LinkedIn has brought me career opportunities and friendships I never could have predicted. Yes, I have a large following now. But I started at zero (just like everyone else). Here are 8 LinkedIn tips to help you land your dream job and build a strong network: 1. Post thematically (not randomly) LinkedIn rewards activity. Instead of posting whenever inspiration hits, choose themes your network expects from you: • Industry insights • Insider lessons from books or conferences • Personal projects • Inspiration • Advice or asks 2. Talk about your industry, not yourself Industry insight = authority. The frequently shared LinkedIn content (in no particular order): • How-to posts • Lists • Deep, neutral analysis Teach first. Reputation follows. 3. Be a strategic “liker” Likes are memory cues. When you intentionally like someone’s post, you: • Stay top of mind • Create an instant conversation starter later • Build relationship momentum without DM’ing 4. Your profile is not a résumé It’s a living signal of who you are and what you care about. LinkedIn favors complete profiles, yet nearly half of users leave sections blank. Those extra sections (courses, volunteering, boards) make you more searchable and more human. Incomplete profile = invisible profile. 5. Kill buzzwords (they blur you) Words like strategic, passionate, expert are everywhere. Replace them with language you’d actually say out loud: • “Strategic” → decisive, judicious • “Experienced” → seasoned, practiced • “Leader” → guided, directed Your vocabulary is part of your brand. 6. Be an “adder,” not a commenter Comments aren’t for agreeing, but for adding value. Great comments: • Expand an idea • Share a relevant example • Offer gratitude or context If you want to impress someone, help their post become smarter. 7. Send smart connection requests Never send a blank request. Always answer: • How do I know them? • Why this person? • What’s in it for them? 8. Optimize for your audience Your profile shouldn’t appeal to everyone. Ask: Who do I need to succeed? • Freelancers → clients • Climbers → leaders • Switchers → future industry peers • Speak directly to them. 9. Network after you connect Connections decay without touchpoints. Once a month is enough: • Congratulate promotions • Share relevant info • Make an intro • Invite for coffee when traveling Consistency beats intensity. 10. Use “People Also Viewed” This section tells you: • Who LinkedIn thinks you are • Who you’re being compared to • Who you might be missing If you don’t like the comparison, adjust your language and connections. You don’t need to do all 10. Start with 1-2 and let the momentum compound. What’s one LinkedIn change you’ll make this week?

Safeguarding information while enabling collaboration requires methods that respect privacy, ensure accuracy, and sustain trust. Privacy-Enhancing Technologies create conditions where data becomes useful without being exposed, aligning innovation with responsibility. When companies exchange sensitive information, the tension between insight and confidentiality becomes evident. Cryptographic PETs apply advanced encryption that allows data to be analyzed securely, while distributed approaches such as federated learning ensure that knowledge can be shared without revealing raw information. The practical benefits are visible in sectors such as banking, healthcare, supply chains, and retail, where secure sharing strengthens operational efficiency and trust. At the same time, adoption requires balancing privacy, accuracy, performance, and costs, which makes strategic choices essential. A thoughtful approach begins with mapping sensitive data, selecting the appropriate PETs, and aligning them with governance and compliance frameworks. This is where technological innovation meets organizational responsibility, creating the foundation for trusted collaboration. #PrivacyEnhancingTechnologies #DataSharing #DigitalTrust #Cybersecurity

In meetings, you might hear phrases like "the data speaks for itself" or "we’re just looking at the facts." These statements can give the impression that data offers a neutral view of reality. But data is never completely neutral. Here’s why. Data reflects a world shaped by existing systems of power. Disparities in education, health, and incarceration show how these systems' social structures are maintained. However, it’s common to interpret disparities in social data as individual failures or successes. For example, someone’s health is often seen as a matter of personal responsibility. Yet no matter which data metric we use—whether deprivation, income, or education—there is a strong social SYSTEM gradient. The poorer you are, or the less education you have, or the more deprived your neighbourhood, the more likely you are to die younger and sicker. This pattern holds across almost every condition or disease. It is not shaped by individuals, but institutional systems of power. So, if you share data about people and communities, you have more responsibility than you might realise. You have the power to influence your peers, government decisions, and ultimately public opinion. By explaining the conditions that shape data, we make it harder for inequities to go unnoticed. To use data responsibly, we have to recognise its dual role. Data can be a mirror that reflects inequality and a magnifier that can make it worse if misinterpreted. ---- Kia ora, I'm Kat 👋 I wrote The Data Storyteller's Handbook. My next book exposes how powerful systems like racism, sexism, and classism shape not only our world but the data we rely on every day.

As someone who works 7 days a week, I have had to create weekends and strict rest periods inside my days of active work. Saturday and Sundays are more led with personal tasks but I can't fully disconnect from the mission on weekends and so day naps, strict working days of 10am-3am and working after 8pm (the kids bedtime) become a method of achieving all of my goals and commitments. My consideration for you is: Clarify your values: Reflect on what truly matters to you. Identify your core values and aspirations in both your professional and personal spheres. Understanding what is most important will help you make more aligned choices. Set boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between work and personal life. Determine specific times and spaces dedicated to work, and make a conscious effort to disconnect and engage in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment outside of work. Communicate your boundaries to colleagues, clients, and loved ones to foster respect and understanding. Prioritise self-care: Taking care of yourself is crucial for maintaining overall well-being. Prioritise self-care activities that recharge and rejuvenate you, such as exercise, quality sleep, hobbies, and spending time with loved ones. Remember that self-care is not selfish; it enables you to show up as your best self in all areas of life. Assess your workload: Evaluate your workload and responsibilities realistically. Be mindful of taking on too much and learn to delegate or say no when necessary. Recognise that you have limitations, and it is essential to avoid burnout by finding a sustainable balance between productivity and rest. Foster open communication: Engage in open and honest communication with your employer, colleagues, and loved ones about your work-life balance priorities. Clearly express your needs and concerns, and seek solutions that accommodate both personal and professional commitments. Collaborative dialogue can lead to mutually beneficial arrangements. Embrace flexibility: Explore opportunities for flexible work arrangements, such as remote work, flexible hours, or compressed workweeks. Flexibility can help create more space for personal pursuits and enable a better integration of work and life responsibilities. Practice mindfulness and presence: Cultivate mindfulness by being fully present in the present moment, whether you are at work or engaged in personal activities. By focusing on the task at hand, you can enhance productivity, reduce stress, and derive greater enjoyment from your experiences. Regularly reassess and adjust: Recognise that work-life balance is a dynamic process. Regularly assess your approach, considering your changing circumstances and priorities. Adjust your choices and commitments accordingly to maintain a harmonious equilibrium over time.

Navigating the Maze of Truth In a world where alternative facts often muddy the waters of truth, how can individuals and communities stay resilient and well-prepared for the challenges they face? As misinformation spreads and reliable news sources are sometimes overshadowed by sensationalism, maintaining resilience becomes not just a matter of personal vigilance but a collective responsibility. 1. Develop Critical Thinking Skills - In an era where alternative facts can easily infiltrate public discourse, honing critical thinking skills is essential. This means questioning the credibility of sources, cross-referencing information with multiple reputable outlets, and analyzing the motives behind the information being presented. Encourage a mindset that doesn’t just accept information at face value but actively seeks verification. 2. Prioritize Media Literacy - Educate yourself and others about media literacy. Understanding how media works, recognizing bias, and differentiating between fact-based journalism and opinion pieces are crucial skills. Schools, workplaces, and community organizations should incorporate media literacy training to empower individuals to navigate complex information landscapes effectively. 3. Seek Out Reliable Sources - Identify and rely on reputable news sources that adhere to strict journalistic standards. These sources prioritize accuracy, fairness, and transparency. Create a diverse media diet by following established institutions and experts in relevant fields. Avoid echo chambers by engaging with a variety of perspectives while focusing on sources known for their reliability. 4. Verify Information Before Sharing - Before sharing information on social media or within your community, take a moment to verify its authenticity. Use fact-checking websites and tools to confirm details and debunk myths. By being a responsible consumer and sharer of information, you contribute to reducing the spread of misinformation and helping others stay informed. 5. Advocate for Transparency and Accountability - Support and advocate for transparency and accountability in media and information sources. Encourage media outlets and public figures to adhere to high standards of accuracy and honesty. Demand accountability from those who spread misinformation and promote a culture of truthfulness in public discourse. Our collective resilience depends on our ability to discern truth from fiction. Equip yourself with the tools to critically evaluate information and promote media literacy in your community. Stay vigilant, stay informed, and together, let’s build a more resilient and informed society. #StayResilient #CriticalThinking #MediaLiteracy #VerifyBeforeYouShare #TruthMatters

As creators, we walk a fascinating line: building & nurturing our personal brand while contributing to the growth of the companies we work for. It’s a balancing act, and when done thoughtfully, it can benefit both you and your employer. I've spent a lot of time thinking about this. Here are a few key principles to consider: Start with Alignment: Your personal brand should reflect your unique voice, passions, and expertise. At the same time, ensure your values align with your company’s mission. This synergy builds authenticity, helping you shine as a thought leader while amplifying your company’s vision. Add Value Both Ways: Your personal content isn’t just about self-promotion – it’s a chance to highlight industry trends, solve problems, and share knowledge. When your audience sees you as a trusted voice, it reflects positively on the organization you represent. The more value you provide, the stronger your brand and your company’s reputation become. Be Transparent About Your Dual Role: It’s okay to let your audience know that you’re a creator who’s also part of a larger mission. A simple acknowledgment, such as, “In my role at FinLocker, I’ve learned the value of engaging early journey first-time homebuyers", builds credibility and reinforces your connection to your employer without overshadowing your individuality. Prioritize Consistency: Whether you're sharing insights under your name or your company’s banner, make sure your message is consistent. Both brands should feel complementary – not competitive. Think of it as two interconnected streams feeding into the same river. Use Your Brand to Build Bridges: Your personal platform can help you connect with other professionals, clients, and opportunities that can ultimately benefit your company. And your company’s resources can enhance your ability to create impactful content. When both sides grow, it’s a win-win. Ultimately, this balance is about mutual growth. Your personal brand showcases the unique skills and perspectives you bring to the table, while your work for your company demonstrates your ability to drive results and collaborate with a larger team. The takeaway? Don’t think of it as “choosing” between your brand and your company. Think of it as a partnership where both grow stronger together. How do you balance your personal brand with your company’s goals?

I used to struggle with being both friendly and strict.  Now, I’ve found a balance that works wonders for my team. As a country manager and a co-founder, I often get asked how I manage to be both friendly and strict with my team. Honestly, I've wrestled with this balance for years but here's what I've learned: it's all about creating a "friendly professionalism" that respects both relationships and results. I try to keep the friendly side outside of office hours. We hang out as a team, chat casually, and build relationships. But when we’re in the office, it’s work time. While I’m supportive and understanding, I also maintain a professional distance. This helps to keep everyone focused and productive. I love those moments when we can unwind together, chat during morning coffee, or catch up in the evenings. It's important to build rapport and a sense of unity outside of the day-to-day grind. Inside the office, from 9 AM to 6 PM, it's all about business. I respect my team's time and encourage a healthy work-life balance. No unnecessary late hours, no unrealistic expectations. Once the clock strikes six, my team leaves on time, refreshed for the next day. That doesn't mean I'm distant during work. When someone needs support—whether it's due to personal matters or challenges on the job—I’m there. We go all out to ensure our team feels valued and supported. Ultimately, this balance fosters a productive environment where work is respected, and personal connection is nurtured. It’s about striking the right chord between professionalism and empathy How do you manage to create boundaries while maintaining a productive, friendly work environment?.

How transparent should we be with our people insights? This is a question I hear from leaders all the time, and, like any good social scientist, my answer is: it depends. Let’s put aside the non-negotiables—those bound by law or confidentiality. Beyond that, there’s a wide spectrum of how companies handle sharing people data insights, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Here are a few key things I always consider: 1️⃣ Data Source Matters: If employees are giving feedback through engagement surveys or focus groups, it’s crucial to share those insights back with them to increase trust, accountability, and future participation. 2️⃣ Know Your Audience: Even if you’re talking about the same metric, you should communicate about it differently to different audiences. Executives often want to know about the high-level trends and strategic insights while the company at large may want to hear about how it directly affects their day-to-day work. You can also consider sharing the information with leaders first, so they are equipped with extra context. 3️⃣ Consider Sensitivity: If the data touches on delicate issues—like potential layoffs, some diversity metrics, or areas where the company isn’t performing well—it’s essential to approach these topics with care. Consider the risks and who needs to know in order to act on the information. Transparency doesn’t mean sharing everything; it means sharing thoughtfully. 4️⃣ Look at Precedent: Consistency in communication builds credibility. Suddenly withholding information you’ve shared in the past can raise red flags. On the other hand, if transparency is new to your organization, you might start by sharing smaller insights and gradually build up to more comprehensive data. 5️⃣ Clarify the Purpose: Is it to inform, to spark action, or to inspire change? Being clear on this will help you decide how much to share, with whom, and how to frame it. 6️⃣ Anchor to Usefulness: A lot of what we study in People Analytics can be helpful for employees to know. How can managers increase psychological safety? How can employees get higher quality feedback from their colleagues? How can distributed teams collaborate best? Whenever possible, I like to share these learnings with employees so they can benefit from our data-informed wisdom. My default? Lean into transparency. In the absence of data, human nature is to make up a narrative—and the stories we create are often far worse than the truth. When appropriate, sharing our knowledge broadly can empower employees and leaders alike to work with a greater shared understanding of reality. Being transparent doesn’t mean sharing everything with everyone, but it does require being purposeful, considerate, and consistent about what you share.

BEYOND QUALITY: SECURING & GOVERNING DATA FOR ETHICAL USE A few weeks ago, I shared my experience tackling data quality issues in the oil & gas industry focusing on identifying and resolving inconsistencies, missing values, and compliance risks. But fixing data quality was only the first step. The bigger challenge was ensuring that this data remained secure, ethically shared, and regulatory compliant. As part of my project, I worked on a data-sharing scenario where an industry body required datasets to be provided to academic researchers. The issue? These datasets contained sensitive business information that couldn't be exposed carelessly. Upstream data had to align with OGA & NUPRC regulations, while corporate data needed to meet GDPR compliance to protect customer information. The risks of getting this wrong were significant: regulatory fines reaching €20M (GDPR) or £1M (OGA), potential competitive threats, and a loss of business trust due to weak governance. To address these challenges, I pseudonymized and anonymized sensitive data, ensuring that well IDs and customer records were masked while still retaining analytical value. I also encrypted files using AES-256, stored them securely with robust access controls and audit logs, and enforced Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and secure file transfers to prevent unauthorized access. Additionally, I drafted a Data Use Agreement (DUA) between bp and the University of Aberdeen to outline the terms for ethical and secure data usage. Working alongside my talented course mate Amarachi Grace Agiri, PMP® throughout this project has enriched the experience. Even though we were on different teams, our shared commitment to data quality and security made the experience truly enriching. This experience reinforced a crucial lesson: data quality is only as good as the security and governance surrounding it. It’s not just about accuracy, it’s about protecting and responsibly managing data in a way that ensures compliance and maintains trust. Now, I’m eager to dive deeper into enterprise-wide data governance strategies, exploring how security, compliance, and automation can be seamlessly integrated into industrial workflows. More importantly, I’m curious. How does your industry handle data security and governance? Let’s discuss! 👇 #DataQuality #DataSecurity #DataGovernance #OilAndGas #PetroleumData #GDPR #ISO27001 #Compliance #BigData #DigitalTransformation #EnergySector