Between credibility and visibility; integrity and popularity

The thin lines between these key themes are getting thinner and the image of what is right is getting blurrier. Where people exist, it is not too strange to see people flock in a particular direction whether it provides logical justification or not. It could be the herd mentality, peer pressure, popular culture or just people replicating what people they know or respect do. Most times, it appears to come without much thinking. Either way, we will lend our voice in response to what seems to have plagued LinkedIn and by extension, social media and the public space for a quite a while.

1. Exaggeration: There are soft jokes all over the Internet making light of the negative trends on LinkedIn. When someone successfully changes a bulb, the individual can write on LinkedIn "After a comprehensive intervention into electricity dynamism, I was able to tactically drive an action that illuminated my immediate geography". Whilst this is an extreme used for comical effect, it only amplifies a trend that in reality exists. Some line managers have been shocked by the profiles or resumes of their existing or previous direct reports where results were exaggerated. The world is a small place. It is usually not hard to find out when such instances occur. Some companies run a 360 degrees background check on individuals before they are employed. Asides that, talking about what you can do or have done in the past is the easier part. Getting it done is what sets people apart. Talk is cheap. Action speaks louder.
2. Misrepresentation: In more advanced cases, there is outright misrepresentation of details. For instance, a receptionist describing herself as a Senior Administrative Officer when it is neither her designated job title or her existing role. It is funny that it seems some people do not realize that their colleagues, clients, contacts and others are also on the same LinkedIn platform. Though controversial, some companies have begun creating policies to guard against misrepresentation by employees on LinkedIn. Some apologists argue that employees reserve the rights as individuals to post what they like on their personal accounts. However, the opposing party argues that such misrepresentative posting should therefore not allude to a relationship with the company who also reserve the rights to not be misrepresented. As such, proponents argue that if you want to be ambitious with your job title, you can leave the company name out of your profile so that you do not drag them along with you. The matter is still in the court of public opinion.

I guess that some of these tendencies have become popular based on misappropriation of content from thought leadership or quotes and lessons from models across various industries and the general society. In a lot of cases, these models are considered as successful and their followers feel they have earned their place in society so they go all out on what they say sometimes with poor application and misapplied intent. However, when motivational speakers say you should put your best foot forward, they typically do not mean you should leave your conscience or common sense behind. No intended shots fired.

The role of "packaging"

For instance, and with reference to local parlance in Nigeria, what is the difference between "packaging" and "falsehood"? Is popcorn a packaged version of guguru which some may argue that both are the same product? However, if you look closely at the production process, quality, type of machinery and location, you will know that popcorn typically goes through a more thorough process altogether. Our perspective then is that, yes you can enhance your communication to position yourself without compromising the truth and your integrity in the first place.

Clear cases of "bobo"

Bobo in the Nigerian parlance is deceitful communication which can be marked by eloquent flattery and sometimes, an intelligent swaying of the truth. It has now become common for some people whose role coverage does not go beyond part of a Local Government to brand themselves as Global Financial Accountant ot Global Diversity Engagement Champion for instance. With no global certification, work experience or exposure, if you take a close look, you may find out that there is nothing global about them in the first place. Perhaps they think that prospective employers will not make a demand on their global experience or probe further to verify their claims? Maybe their attempts at justification is that the world is a global village. If that is the case, are there not local peculiarities, boundaries and respective policies, processes and approaches? Are they knowledgeable about that comprehensive value chain and body of knowledge? In most cases, no. Case closed.

If you have it flaunt it?

This statement has been misapplied to stretch even within the worlds of fashion and sometimes make apologies for inappropriate dressing. That is not our focus. What we can say in this our context on LinkedIn however, is that you can feel free to showcase your skills, knowledge, work experience and achievements. If you did it, say it! If you have it, show it! Make no apologies. Excellence is desired. Communication tells us it exists!

The trend of influencers and thought leaders

With internet access and the world as a global village, everyone seems to want to say something about something or everything. Furthermore, everyone seems to claim to be an authority in one area or the other. We see individuals with less than 2 years' experience in a field taking a position of thought leadership on a body of knowledge that is centuries old. In a lot of cases, they have not managed teams, designed systems or managed large scale change across organizations or industries. However, they have a ready pen, a ready keyboard and internet access. Well, the world allows for freedom of speech you may say but it can be observed that the most intelligent contributions to knowledge typically follow some similiairities in terms of order. Theoretical foundations, practical experience, diverse interaction and application are some of them. It helps to follow some level of caution, precaution and self evaluation so as not to mislead others. Contextual realities are usually different. Scope, peculiarities, sectoral differences and time all also have a role to play in interpreting things differently.

For instance, when presenting an idea that may not be generally applicable, it may be better suited to talk from your own direct experience and world view and share it as a perspective not as a general recommendation. In a number of cases, people share personal beliefs as doctrine, opinions as general laws and perspectives as methodology. Anyway, that is how society is structured. We have different people in it and we all must manage each other and find a way for peaceful and productive coexistence. It is typically more of either the former or the latter. Most times, it is not both. ?

General Submission

You can be both credible and visible at the same time. You can have integrity and popularity at the same time. I think the problem is that we have more or less of the other most times at the expense of the other. For instance, some are very visible but they are not loaded and rather shallow. That one is a no no. But if they do not even know, who will tell them? Sometimes, arrogance thrives when there is ignorance. Some people do not know and do not know that they do not know. That one is massive.

On the other hand, there are those who know and refuse to share. Maybe that void is what others are filling as they have identified gaps those who know better for one reason or the other have refused to close. Perhaps they do not like public attention, private scrutiny or they are just busy at work doing what they know how to do best? Some people are credible but they rarely speak out. In the social space however, it is only those who speak that are heard.

Anyway, they say you should talk not just because you want to talk but because you have something to say. Just thought to drop my 2 cents or rather 2 bitcoins on the matter. 2025 is loaded with possibilities. Do have a wonderful, exciting, fulfilling and productive new year.

Announcements

To visit our store and read some of our published materials, click: https://kehindeakintobi.selar.co/

To subscribe to this HR Newsletter tagged "From the eyes of HR", click: https://www.dhirubhai.net/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=6917802145526231040

To check out our property offerings and explore the between 50% to 100% price appreciation and optimal investment and rental income opportunities, click : https://197283.estateagentsng.com/

To discuss about our 25% return on investment returns across financial instruments, online marketing and real estate, click: https://wa.link/d8niuf