Join the #DECIDETOBEKIND Movement on LI

A big shout out and thanks to the amazing Youssef Abdelmalek from YMAPHOTO!

What is the #decidetobe kind movement?

For many professionals, including myself, LinkedIn has become a platform to share our stories, brand out superpowers, build community, develop ourselves both personally and professionally, and get our voices back.

However, for some the LinkedIn journey ends way too quickly. For many, the bullying, taunting, trolling, name-calling, and humiliation became too much, and many decided to take their stories and find refuge somewhere else. In other cases, people decided to abandon LinkedIn all-together because the bullying and harassment became too much to bear.

As a huge advocate and major fan of LinkedIn, as well as an anti-bullying advocate, I must bring attention to what often goes unnoticed on LinkedIn but can have detrimental effects.

I will do whatever I can to ensure that LinkedIn remains a safe space for us all to grow and develop both professionally and personally. I owe so much to the LinkedIn platform, and even more, to the global community I now call my LinkedIn family.

As a teen I was a fun-loving, extroverted kid with a Supergirl cape. I loved public speaking and wanted to change the world. All of this stopped one day, when my bully decided to tear me down. It just happened to be right before my speech at a provincial public-speaking contest. I remember standing in my new pair of high heels, grounded in confidence, and knowing that what I had to say mattered. My bully took it all away, paralyzing me with her words. I hastily ran off the stage, losing my left high heel in the process. Humiliated, I not only lost my high heel that day, I also lost my voice as I vowed never to speak in public or wear high heels again.

As a teen I was a fun-loving, extroverted kid with a Supergirl cape. I loved public speaking and wanted to change the world. All of this stopped one day, when my bully decided to tear me down. It just happened to be right before my speech at a provincial public-speaking contest. I remember standing in my new pair of high heels, grounded in confidence, and knowing that what I had to say mattered. My bully took it all away, paralyzing me with her words. I hastily ran off the stage, losing my left high heel in the process. Humiliated, I not only lost my high heel that day, I also lost my voice as I vowed never to speak in public or wear high heels again.

LinkedIn helped give me my voice back. I now travel all over the world speaking about the power of LinkedIn and the importance of mastering the Art of Social Reciprocity if you really want to reach your goals and have happiness along the way.

We don’t expect “bullying type” behavior to happen on LinkedIn, but it does. It is just not traditional and not what we expect; we do not think that this type of thing could happen on a public professional social media platform designed for networking and building community among professionals. We most often think and associate bullying with our childhood, where we could easily spot those “bullies” on the playground and make ourselves small in another space so we would not be seen.

Unfortunately, there are no prerequisites to bullying. In fact, online bullying (otherwise known as cyber-bullying) is increasing. It is often the ideal place for bullies because they can hide behind their computer, and mobile screens, as they prey on the vulnerabilities of those they have intentionally sought ou.

The LinkedIn #DecidetobeKind Campaign is all about recognition and awareness; helping to ensure that LinkedIn a safe and positive space for everyone to tell their story.

“Bless those who stand up to bullies. You are the true masters of the universe.” Mandi Bishop

The #DecidetobeKind Wristband brings awareness to bullying on LinkedIn and help professionals stay united as we work together to send a very important message and collectively say that WE CHOSE KINDNESS INSTEAD!

Even though bullying on LinkedIn can be subtle, unexpected, and untraditional, it exists; therefore, making it an unsafe and unproductive place for some people to be in.

All the people on LinkedIn who purchase the wristband, automatically becomes part of the #kindclub and together we spread a strong and important merssage while we lead the way for the next generation of LinkedIn users to embrace their LinkedIn journey without fear.

By purchasing a #decidetobekind wristband you are making the choice to be a LinkedIn Superhero and deciding not only to be kind but to stand united against bullying on LinkedIn

For every wristband sold, a donation will be made to the Cybersmile Foundation and on January 1st of 2021, we will celebrate by contributing to a very important cause:

Cybersmile’s Mission:

“Our mission is a simple one – we believe that everybody should have the right to access and enjoy our connected world.”

The Cybersmile Foundation is committed to helping everyone realize their true potential by supporting those that are bullied and abused online, changing the behavior of the bullies themselves and through education – preparing this and further generations for a safe and positive digital future. Linkedexpress.ca is on board.

Join us today!

Decide to be Kind Wristband – Buy 1 wristband and get one free! 

This special Covid-19 deal is to provide people the opportunity to get to wear and one to pay forward during this uncertain time. Thee is no better time than to spread goodness forward

Covid-2019 is a time for community to come together and make KINDNESS a priority all over the world. The LinkedIn Community is vital right now so let’s ensure it remains a safe and positive for everyone

Let’s Be Kind Together! #Decidetobekind

Alone we can do a lot but together we can do so much more!

Once you order and receive your #decidetobekind wristband, snap a shot of YOU with your wristband and post on LinkedIn! Do not forget to tag me and put the hashtags #decidetobekind and #kindclub in your posts.

Can’t wait for you to join us!