How to Turn Life Lessons into LinkedIn® Influence

There’s a powerful line I shared during a recent livestream on Wisdom in Business:

“Experience is what happens to you. Wisdom is what you do with it.”

And that difference? It matters more than ever on LinkedIn.

In a world where everyone is “experienced,” it’s those who turn that experience into insight who stand out. Wisdom isn’t just about being older or having more years on the job. It’s about noticing patterns, reflecting on results, and sharing what you’ve learned in ways that help others.

Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how easy it is to gather experience without extracting meaning. We go through roles, projects, even setbacks… but unless we pause to reflect and apply what we’ve learned, all we have is a résumé of events – not wisdom.

Wisdom is distilled. It's earned through practice, awareness, and often, a few bumps and bruises.

So, how do you show wisdom on LinkedIn?

You tell stories – not just success stories, but stories with lessons. It’s the difference between telling your story and just listing your history.
You show up in the comments section with thoughtful takes, ideas and opinions, not throwaway phrases.
You ask questions that move the conversation forward.

And yes, you talk about mistakes – not to confess, but to teach.

One of the best ways to showcase your wisdom?
Turn your lived experience into value for others.

The livestream reminded me why I love what I do: helping professionals turn their lived experience into something useful, visible, and authentic on LinkedIn.

Because when your story becomes someone else’s lightbulb moment – that’s wisdom at work.

And that’s the ethos behind Link∙Ability – a membership community I run for professionals who want to show up with more clarity, confidence, and credibility on LinkedIn. We don’t just post. We engage. And we support each other in transforming our experience into something truly valuable.

If you’re ready to be seen for the wisdom you’ve earned, I’d love to welcome you in.