From Connection to Culture Shift

What if one conversation could reshape how we build leadership, collaboration, and culture?

On July 29, 2025 at 10:00 AM ET, EVU Live: Ideas That Scale returned for Episode 2 with the timely topic: "From LinkedIn Chats to Growth: Building Team Spirit Through Conversation." The session featured Loes Pijpers—CEO of Loes Pijpers, a leadership coach, and a virtual team strategist—who shared actionable strategies to convert everyday LinkedIn conversations into long-term collaboration, visibility, and trust.

Hosted by Emerging Voices Unite, the event was a masterclass in how digital dialogue can lead to real-world influence and measurable momentum.

If you’re building a high-trust virtual team or using AI in healthcare, predictive analytics in retail, or customer experience platforms to lead change—this session offers the human blueprint.

Top Takeaways

1. Relationships Over Metrics

“It’s not about collecting contacts. It’s about creating meaning behind the conversation.” – Loes Pijpers

Don’t you feel that our digital platforms are saturated—“noisy” as Nick Larson, founder of Ageless Evolution Summit, would call them because of the lack of depth in conversation that happens online. Nikki Estes, collaborating with Nick, Loes, and many members of the Emerging Voices community strive instead to create intentional change and inspire growth, but real impact begins with real talk. Loes emphasized the value of initiating weekly, 50-minute non-sales chats to deepen relationships, build rapport, and support collaborative energy.

2. Schedule With Purpose

Quality conversations don’t just happen—they're designed. Loes recommends scheduling 3–5 authentic chats each week to foster connection, reduce isolation, and spark strategic growth.

📊 Research: People who engage in weekly meaningful social interaction are 30% more productive

3. Lead Yourself First

Leadership isn't a title—it's daily action. Loes revealed how micro-habits like early rising, proactive scheduling, and active listening can shift your entire leadership trajectory.

🔗 Explore BJ Fogg’s research on Tiny Habits

4. Check Your LinkedIn SSI Score

A high LinkedIn Social Selling Index score boosts visibility by up to 55% and sales success by 51% (source). Use it to evaluate your influence and connection strategy.

✅ Check your SSI Score

5. Ask Future-Focused Questions

Instead of “What do you do?”, try: “Where do you want to be in 2 years?” This approach, Loes says, opens up richer, forward-facing conversations that align visions and build momentum.

The Real Source of Trust in Leadership

“Can you accomplish trust through a title or a rank, or can you become trustworthy through leadership, clarity, and consistency with your team?”
— Loes Pijpers, EVU Live

This week’s standout insight from Loes reminded us: real trust in leadership is earned—not granted by position. It's about how clearly you communicate, how consistently you show up, and how you lead through presence, not pressure.

Edo Perry reinforced this mindset in a recent post about his work through Hubble, a platform built for authentic, founder-to-founder conversations.

“Ever wish you could phone a friend when things get messy in your startup?”

Edo Perry reminded us that asking for help isn’t weakness—it’s leadership in motion. Whether navigating pivots or seeking clarity, his work through Hubble shows that leadership thrives in spaces where honesty is welcome.

🔔 Your Prompt This Week:

How are you building trust—not through your title—but through consistency, clarity, and how you lead in the hard moments?

Unspoken Themes That Drove Impact

• Small actions—like sharing holiday cards or global candy swaps—build cross-border trust
• Leadership is measured not by productivity but by how many other leaders you cultivate
• LinkedIn is not just a platform, it's a leadership ecosystem when used with intention

Ready to Build a Culture of Conversation? Here's How to Plug In

🎥 Watch the Full Episode Replay:
From LinkedIn Chats to Growth: Building Team Spirit Through Conversation- Watch Now

🔗 Connect with Loes Pijpers
• Loes Pijpers LinkedIn
• 📧 loes.pijpers@ziggo.nl

🌐 Follow the Community That Made It Happen
• Emerging Voices Unite
• Top Voices Unite
• Market Me More

Community Highlights: Real Voices, Real Impact

Edo Perry– Founder Support Through Real Conversations
💡 From pitch decks to pivots, Edo reminds us that founders don’t have to figure it all out alone. In his post, he shares how Hubble creates space for honest, messy middle-stage conversations—because sometimes, the best ideas need support, not polish.
👉 Book time with Edo

Loes Pijpers– Inclusion as a Daily Leadership Practice
💡 Loes shared how even the smallest gestures—like a kind look or shared tradition—can create a culture of belonging. Her reflection invites us to lead with empathy and make others feel seen in our digital spaces.
🔗 Read her reflection on leadership and connection

Justin Oberman– Empathy Over Demographics in Modern Marketing
💡 Justin critiques outdated marketing personas and makes a bold call to action: segment by real struggles, not age or net worth. His storytelling sharpens how we approach branding with empathy.
🔗 Explore his post on redefining connection

Anna Rooney– Trust as a Team’s Most Powerful Signal
💡 Inspired by African wild dogs, Anna compares nature’s decision-making to how teams move when permission is replaced by trust. A beautiful reflection on instinct, alignment, and leadership clarity.
🔗 Read Anna’s wild wisdom for modern teams

Shelly O'Donovan– Communication Power Moves That Shift Culture
💡 Shelly’s post offers four simple but powerful strategies to elevate everyday workplace communication. Her insights remind us that even micro-messages can create macro impact.
🔗 Explore her post on intentional communication

Edo Perry– Courage in Business Starts with Facing Fear
💡 In a bold and personal story, Edo shares how paragliding helped him face a lifelong fear of heights—and why that same courage fuels business growth, deeper connections, and resilience in B2B sales.
🔗 Read Edo’s leadership-through-leaps story

Bobby Umar– Parenting as Presence-Led Leadership
💡 Bobby shared a heartwarming daddy-daughter day that reminded us: presence is power. Whether in business or at home, deep connection starts with undivided attention.
🔗 Catch Bobby’s post on human connection at home

Final Thoughts: This Is the Leadership Blueprint

In a world dominated by AI for customer experience and retail analytics tools, your human touch is what sets you apart. This episode reminded us that growth starts with a conversation—but leadership is sustained by consistent, intentional dialogue.

If you're building with empathy, leading across cultures, or driving innovation from your screen—you’re the future of leadership.

Let’s scale conversations into culture. Together.