The Power of Human Connection in B2B with Matthew Wheeler-Barrett

Marking the 50th guest on the podcast and a moment that reflects how this is growing across different B2B markets, including South Africa. In this episode of Take A Chance On You, Alexandra Forsyth sits down with Matthew Wheeler-Barrett to explore the power of human connection in B2B, personal branding, and LinkedIn strategy in 2026. As AI continues to reshape content and marketing, one thing remains clear, human connection, storytelling, and authenticity are remaining more valuable than ever. Matthew shares practical strategies on how to grow on LinkedIn, build meaningful relationships, and create content that drives engagement — not just impressions. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, founder, or content creator, this episode breaks down how to stand out in a crowded digital landscape. Topics Covered: • LinkedIn growth strategies for 2026 • Personal branding and storytelling • B2B marketing trends and content strategy • AI and the future of human connection • Building engaged communities vs large audiences • Emotional intelligence and leadership Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Matthew Wheeler-Barrett and the episode’s focus on human connection 02:13 - Why genuine relationships are more important than vanity metrics in LinkedIn growth 04:50 - The power of authentic personal branding and storytelling for trust-building 07:11 - Building communities with smaller, engaged audiences for stronger trust 11:26 - Tech trends: AI, content strategies, and platform evolution in 2023 13:47 - The shift towards authentic, less perfect content on LinkedIn 17:36 - Stories of leadership, corporate branding, and the role of storytelling in business success 22:27 - Daily routines for content creation and the importance of consistency 28:11 - Balancing online activity with real-world interactions and mental health 34:53 - Strategic authenticity and minimalism in content to foster engagement 42:36 - Using systems and data analytics to optimise personal branding efforts 50:46 - The role of storytelling in niche communities and leveraging audience trust 57:57 - Overcoming societal pressures and embracing individuality in personal branding 🎧 Subscribe for more conversations exploring resilience, creativity, identity, future-facing careers and human connection.