Why Visibility Matters More Than Talent on LinkedIn 💡 | Alina Weingart | Changemaker Insights Ep. 13

Hallo Alina, I'm really excited to have you today with me here and to get to know you better, what really drives you, your mission, and what you do on a day-to-day. And with that said, the first question I always love to ask my guests is who are they? And in that case, who is Alina?

Thank you so much, Julia. First of all, also thank you so much for, um, yeah, having me here today. And, um, yeah, coming back to your question, who am I? Um, well, I'd say a lot of people would, um, start with their job, right? Like a lot of people define themselves, um, of their job, but I'd rather Um, well, I'd say I'm pretty much, um, a person who loves life, actually very simple, but, um, I really, I really enjoy my life. Um, making the best of it, having really great memories and yeah. Um, and yeah, on a professional basis, um, I stand for personal branding and visibility on LinkedIn. Um, I help people gain recognition for the unique voices and also for their mission, um, and their ideas. Um, that's what I do in a professional way. And what do you do in a personal way? professional way and on a personal way. Also, I'm a very, um, yeah, I'm pretty much a family person. I love spending time with my family. Um, also here, just having a great time. I love to travel. Right now I'm in Bali. Um, I'm working from here. Um, and I also love to learn. Um, like, learn something completely new. Um, some, something I don't know much about. Um, I read a lot. I love reading books, um, in all kinds of ways. Um, and yeah, just love to, to deep dive into new challenges. And I'd say these are the things that describe me the best. And yeah, that's me.

Love it. And the love that you started with, I'm enjoying life and I'm loving life. And not with what you're doing. And because we often, you know, we tend to forget to, um, to really reflect what really matters outside of work for us, right? Because we really strongly define ourselves through work. Therefore, I love that you, you started, um, you answered the question like that. And, um, I also always love to understand how one became the person, you know, um, we are today. And how would you say, What were moments, um, that really defined you and that helped you to become the version, uh, of yourself?

Hmm. Yeah. Very good question. Very deep question, actually. Uh, well, generally, generally I'd say, um, like my journey has involved cutting ties with people who didn't support me. Um, that was a very big part. part, um, of my journey and how I, how I become the person I am today. Um, like, I mean, it's not necessary for everyone to understand or agree with what I'm doing, but at the end, my circle needs to support me or at least not work against me behind my back. Right. Um, and yeah, unfortunately I experienced a lot of that in the past. Um, but I've also learned to focus on those who genuinely, genuinely believe in me, right? So, um, now I have a lot of people, um, well, a lot of, I don't know, but I have people in my circle, um, who are there for me, who support me. Um, and also this, um, this hasn't been always easy. Um, cutting ties with people, but I learned that sometimes it's definitely necessary. Um, and looking back, I'd also say that it was worth it because yeah, that's how I become the person who am I today. Um, yeah, I think, yeah. Yeah, that's pretty much, um, what Um, what, uh, helped me to become the person I am today. Yeah.

Like really finding the right kind of people, right? That's what I hear out of it.

Yeah. Yeah.

Right. So much, so much of like who we become in life is about literally about that. Yeah. And I was a person, I'm not sure about you, but I will learn it now. I was a person that was always inspired by, by other people and, um, I always had Handful of people that really helped me get the right opportunities, really develop myself. And who would you say are people on your journey that really shaped you and influenced you to the better?

Yeah, definitely my family. Um, definitely mom and dad, uh, my sister. Um, as I said, family's very, very important for me, although They are in some ways different, I'd say, like just, um, yeah, they are, they are more living a normal life in, in some ways, I'd say.

Define normal life for me, please.

I, I'm more like the person, um, I, it's, it's right now. I don't know how it will be in 10 years, but right now I'm like, um, I'll, I'll go traveling. I'll do that. I'll do that. Um, yeah. And they are probably just more subtle. I don't know. Um, but, um, they are very, very important for me also, their opinion. Um, and I always know that I can count on them. Um, also friends for me. Um, so, um, the people that are still, uh, in my circle and the ones who Um, but most importantly, actually, uh, my boyfriend. So, um, he really has a significant influence on me. Um, probably, uh, yeah, he's, um, something about him. He's a business consultant, so he's helping companies to grow. And that's actually what he does. Um, Yeah, he actually does the same, uh, for me. So both on personal but also on a professional side. Um, so yeah, he constantly challenges me. Um, but he does that in a way that helps me to find the answers by myself. Um, and yeah, that's something that's pretty much supporting me and yeah, that's actually the people, um, who are the most important on my journey. Family, friends, and, um, my boyfriend for sure. Yeah.

I love it. And I love that you mentioned like that being challenged, right? And, um, by being challenged and finding, um, by yourself the right answers. I also love that one. I think that makes great people that influence us. And Alina, you, you already know that, but for us, it's Tomorrow, it's a lot about, um, helping people find their mission and providing inspiration to do exactly that. And with that, I would love to know, what's your mission? What's your personal mission and how have you found it?

Yes. Uh, well, yeah. Um, my mission is to encourage people to step in their visibility. Um, I mean, that's also what I do in a professional way. Um, but, um, Yeah, whether it's for business or simply because they deserve to be seen. Like, I think everyone has to deserve, has deserved to be seen and everyone needs, or yeah, just, I want to help everyone to get into a platform, for example, and share their ideas, share their own mission, share their thoughts, get into connection to others. And yeah, how do I find them? Um, actually I'd say I don't really found it. Um, I'd say the mission found me because, um, you know, when I started with, uh, personal branding on LinkedIn and, um, all these, all these things, um, it was 3 years ago. Um, yeah, 2 years ago I started with LinkedIn and then last year I went to, also with my boyfriend, to these, um, to this event, Online Marketing Rockstars in Hamburg, very big, um, event for, um, yeah, for all marketing consultants and yeah, whatever. So everyone's there and LinkedIn is full with it 2 weeks before you see All of them going to to this event, and I've been there. And the co-founder of Purelay had a yeah was was a masterclass. I think a masterclass. And in this masterclass, she said that they were looking for someone who can help them with LinkedIn, and. Again, my boyfriend was sitting next to me and he just was like, hey, just, uh, talk to her, tell her about you. And I was like, no, I will not. And really, I was like on the way to go out and then it came just to my mind. I was like, shit, I need to go to her and just like— Say hi. Say who I am and what could I do for them. Just for me to okay, at least I tried, right? At least I tried. And then I turned around and then went back to her and said, "Hi, I'm Alina." And da da da da da. I could do LinkedIn for you. And then she was like, "Wow, yeah, just write me on LinkedIn and we will we will have a chat." And, uh, yeah, it was like, I think the week, um, after the event I talked to her and then they just said, okay, um, you, we, we try it. You, you can start and, um, build up, um, the LinkedIn department for them. Um, and yeah, that's what I'm doing also now. So doing LinkedIn for them. Um, and besides start my own business. Um, so yeah, that was kind of, yeah, the way how I find my mission. Um, so probably for the people who are listening, like sometimes it's not really about, um, searching something, just being open for it. Right. So not really searching for something because then you're sometimes too hard trying. And when you're too hard trying, it's not coming. That's how I experience it. But when you just open and you just experience something, then I think then something really cool happens. Like to me, um, now helping people to start on LinkedIn, um, getting visibility. Yeah.

I love it. And especially love the message at the end because I, I personally, I was always the person who, who loves to plan. plan and who loves to know the things that are happening. But for me, the best things, the people I met, the things I'm working on always happen without planning. I could not foresee them.

Yeah.

And one of them is, for example, building up now our network at Tomorrow. I did many, many things, um, also from in the early days, but, um, I would have never thought that I would focus on that one at a later point. And it's one of the best things that happened, but it was not planned. It just happened. I love the message. And Alina, I mean, both of us are people who are like into networking, into visibility, into LinkedIn. Who, and for me personally, I have a lot of people also supporting me, right? Like being there to support and like being there for inspiration. Doesn't have to be always support, but it can be just inspiration and cheerleading. Who are people on your journey that support you? Um, to do great work and to, um, you know, help people like get the visibility, what you just mentioned, what is your mission?

Yes. Um, so first of all, um, like for me, it's always, I don't need like that much people. And also support for me does not always mean that they have to do something for me. Um, just being there for me is enough. Um, so yeah, but, um, coming back to the question, um, yeah, also my boyfriend here again. So who supports me on my journey? Um, definitely my boyfriend. He, uh, highly provides professional advice. Um, which also like isn't always, um, easy, like, um, having a relationship and kind of working together. But, um, yeah, we've, we've just found a really good way to keep work and personal life separated. But yeah, he has just so much experience and he's very great at what he does. So, um, he's, yeah, the best coach I could have. Um, and that's why he helps me a lot. Um, even if just very simple things, right? So when you start, especially when you start a business, I think, um, you could agree, there's some things like questions you really think, wow, they're so silly. I cannot ask anyone, um, this question. But in this moment, I can ask him this question because we have, um, yeah, very high trust in each other. And they are actually— In general, there are no silly questions, right? But, um, yeah, with this, um, a lot of trust between us, it's much easier to ask such a question. Um, and yeah, so he's, uh, one that supports me on my mission. Um, and beyond him, yeah, definitely in general, my network. So, um, I have a strong network of partners I can rely on for sales, for example, for new projects, for opportunities and every, even like regulatory matters. Um, and yeah, basically it's LinkedIn. So, um, LinkedIn has been so instrumental in building these network. And before I started using LinkedIn, I had a few connections and these connections were just based on my family, friends. So the friends of my parents, these were my connections like that, like in a business way and also in a career way. Um, and yeah, you know, in, in, in business and also in a, in a career, when you want to, um, step up the, um, to career ladder, then these, these, your network and the people you know, that really makes the difference. So, um, when you, when you know the right people, it's much easier to get into a position to grow your business, for example. And actually, that's also why I'm so passionate about visibility, because I know that when you go out with your mission, for example, or just with what what you want to achieve, just letting other people know what you need, they can help you and you can build connections. And you can only do it when you're visible. If you don't tell anyone, no one can help you actually. And you will not build a network and find people who support you on your mission. And Yeah. How, how I work with them is actually, I'd say, um, I mean, with some of them I work, um, regular, on a regular basis because we're kind of business partners and others, it's just, um, if, if I, if I need help, I ask them. If, if they need help, um, they ask me, but also If I talk to someone else and they tell me, I need help with, I don't know, sales, for example. And then I'm like, ah, yeah, I know a person who's pretty good in that. Um, I can give you the contact. And that's also how networking, for example, works and how we can all support each other on our mission. Love it.

Um, I love it. I love that you always mention your boyfriend when it comes to really helping you grow, but then also like really the network that you built. I think it's super massive what you built already, and I'm very sure that it's just the beginning. And one more question about your mission, and that is about, it's great to have your mission, it's great to have people around you, but how do you on a daily basis make sure that you come closer to what you want to achieve, right? And to set the right priorities.

Yeah.

Um, to channel the energy into the right things. How do you do that?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Uh, well, actually I work on it every day. Um, like I have here my, my goal planner. That's my goal planner. Um, and I have like very clear goals. Um, I also have a vision board where, um, everything's visualized, what I want to achieve one day. Um, and I really try to make this clear. Um, every day, um, and setting goals pretty much helps me to stay connected with my mission. Um, and also things like, yeah, being active on LinkedIn, um, now building my own business alongside my role at Purelay, um, and also, yeah, constantly helping others to get the visibility. Um, I experienced and all the benefits I experienced with that. Um, yeah, in general, my work I do, that's something, um, that connects me with my mission and also reflection. So I'm a person who's very reflective. I journal, um, like every, every week, every evening. Um, and just, yeah, reflect how was my day, um, what I have done, how are my feelings today. Um, yeah. And that just really helps me to get out of the bubble, right? So get out of everything. Um, and yeah, try to understand again, okay, am I on the right path or is there like any, any, any way I choose not wrong, but, um, who's not straight to, straight to my mission? I'm, I'm focusing on. Yeah.

Love it. I love that you mentioned like the self-reflection, having a reflection routine. Mm-hmm. Because I think that's something that is extremely valuable, um, for a lot of people hard to build. But, um, as soon as they, they build it, like they, they will always mention it and will refer back to it.

Yes.

Um, Alina, we are approaching kind of the end of the podcast and I always have a bunch of favorite questions at the end. And one of them, and the first one out of the 3, is it's about advice, and it's about what's the best advice you have ever received?

Um, the best advice, um, yeah, well, um, coming back to the beginning, um, what I told about, um, cutting ties with people, I'd say it's surround yourself with people who lift you up. Um, there's also a person— oh, that's something a person once said, um, to me, and I think it's something we know already. Um, you see a lot of like, yeah, quotes on Instagram, for example. Um, they, um, they told this, um, but it's so It's so helpful and it's so important, um, to have people around you who support you because, yeah, the people around us just shape us so much. They shape us, who we are. Um, so yeah, it's so important to choose them wisely and, um, to choose friends, to choose mentors. Um, to choose partners to, they, who inspires you, for example, who helps you, who supports you. Um, and yeah, building, building a connection with them.

Love it. Um, there's like the, the saying, you're the, the average of your, the, the 5 people surrounding you. And it's so true, right? And, um, therefore choose wisely. Um, a second question I always love to ask, it's about lessons and learnings. I'm also a person who reflects a lot and I love to hear other people's reflections and like what's the lesson you learned on your journey?

Yes, what I've learned, definitely that, well, in the past 2 years I've grown a lot. So, um, I'd say that when, yeah, when you step out of your comfort zone, for me, like, um, going back to, to the co-founder of Purelay and, um, tell her who I am and, um, tell her what I could do for them. Um, that was very out of my comfort zone. Um, then the real growth Happens. So, um, I know a lot of people who wish to make a change, for example. Um, but for me also, change can just happen when you do something different. Yeah. When you do something you, for example, never have done before, something you're uncomfortable with, or you're even afraid with, and But for me, that's the only way to reach my potential and to learn, um, what I'm truly capable for or of. And, um, yeah, I think, um, that's something I've learned, uh, on, on my journey. Yeah.

Nice. Getting, getting uncomfortable. Like, I'm a, I'm a big believer, right, in like, Um, going there where it's not comfortable.

Um, yeah.

And I think that's where the great things happen. Like, I think I, I love the example and you mentioned it 2 times. Um, it's like really going to the co-founder, um, on a, on a random event where you most probably think, hey, the person, you know, 200 people will talk to him and he won't anyway remember me.

Mm-hmm.

But just going there and suddenly getting a huge opportunity that most likely also kicked off a lot of other opportunities. Afterwards. I love that. I love that example. And my last question is always about, um, a law. And if you could create one law in the world that everyone has to, um, stick to and apply, what would it be?

What a question. Um, a law. Okay. Um, hmm. Well, um, yeah, I'd say, um, respect everyone's person's path. Like, that's, um, also what I talked about it earlier. Um, also something about, um, cutting, cutting ties with, uh, people who don't support you. I mean, like, We all, um, come from different backgrounds, right? And we all face challenges. Um, we all have different, um, different ways. Um, and that's totally fine. And, but I believe that everyone deserves respect for their path. Um, even it's not Like yours. Um, and I feel like we should encourage each other to go our own way. Just, um, feel free to, to do what we truly want.

Yeah.

Without worrying about being judged, you know, um, judgment is such a huge thing in these, in today's world. Um, especially also in my job. Like, I know a lot of people who are afraid to be judged just because they post on LinkedIn. And if you take a step back and just think about it, what is this? Like, being judged just because you post something on a platform, just to— just because you share your opinion on something? That's for me like, why? Why is that? Why can't we just— respect each other. And if you don't like the opinion of the other person, just scroll, just ignore it. Just, I don't know, but don't, don't let this get to, get to you so, so intensely. Right. And don't like judge the pe— judge the other person just because it's not your opinion. And, um, yeah. Yeah, I think, uh, respect everyone's path, person's path. That's, um, a law. Um, what I'd, um, I would create.

Love it. Um, love it. I love that. And I think it's like really about, yeah, respecting it, as you so nicely said, and not, not judging it, but really respecting it as it is. And, um, yeah, really not going into the judgment mode. Alina, with that said, um, I'm super, super happy to have had the time to really get to know you better and to also learn a little bit, you know, what matters to you, um, how you also become the person you are today, and what was your best advice, the lessons learned, the people that shape you. And I believe you are an inspiration, um, for, for many, and you will, will see a lot of, um, a lot more from you over the years because you're still very early on your journey and I'm very excited to follow you along on LinkedIn and to see how you will help others to get more visible. Um, and yeah, with that, thank you so much for, Lina, taking time in Bali on your vacation.

Of course.

And I'm excited for, um, deep dives in the future on the topic of personal branding and visibility.

Thank you so much, Julia. And also, thank you so much for having me here today. I really loved enjoying to, yeah, just chat with you. Thank you.