A Call for Authenticity in Professional Networking

LinkedIn, once a humble platform for showcasing resumes and professional connections, has morphed into something different. Earlier this week, I shared a YouTube video with a recent comedic critique by a German comedian highlighting several issues plaguing LinkedIn today, painting a picture of a platform overwhelmed by self-promotion, inflated egos, and superficial interactions (-> Link). For those who don't speak German (and everybody else), let's unpack the major criticisms and explore how we, as users, can contribute to making LinkedIn a more authentic and valuable space again.

The Video...

1. LinkedIn Has Become a Platform for Self-Promotion and Narcissism

Video: What was once a straightforward networking site has transformed into a stage for self-proclaimed gurus and pseudo-entrepreneurs. Many users now treat LinkedIn as a personal branding megaphone, often with little substance behind the noise. The value of genuine professional engagement is drowned out by those more interested in flaunting their supposed success than in fostering meaningful connections.

My View: This criticism is largely valid. While self-promotion has a place, LinkedIn's core purpose is to connect professionals and facilitate growth, not to serve as a soapbox for inflated egos. We all can combat this trend by focusing on sharing meaningful insights, celebrating actual achievements, and promoting others' successes instead of constantly seeking the spotlight. By prioritizing substance over self-aggrandizement, we can collectively elevate the quality of content on LinkedIn.

2. Inflated Job Titles and Accomplishments

Video: LinkedIn is rife with inflated job titles and exaggerated accomplishments. It's not uncommon to see someone who, in reality, holds a standard role but styles themselves as an "Innovative Thought Leader" or "Disruptive Entrepreneur." This creates a misleading representation of one's professional life and can foster unrealistic expectations among peers.

My View: The trend of exaggeration and title inflation undermines trust and distorts the true purpose of LinkedIn. Instead of overstating roles and responsibilities, users should aim for transparency and honesty in their profiles. Being genuine about one's career journey builds credibility and sets a positive example for others. People matter, not titles! Let's redefine success as authenticity, where real skills and experiences are valued over fabricated titles.

3. Exaggeration and Boastful Posturing

Video: From posts celebrating the most trivial accomplishments as groundbreaking achievements to grandiose narratives about minor setbacks, LinkedIn is filled with exaggerated success stories. This posturing often turns the platform into a place where reality takes a backseat to self-promotion.

My view: This critique is spot-on. It's essential to differentiate between sharing genuine success stories and boastful self-aggrandizement. LinkedIn users should strive to post content that adds value to others, sharing experiences that can educate, inspire, or assist their network, rather than simply bragging. Encouraging an environment of real, relatable stories can help cut through the noise of exaggerated posts.

4. A Toxic and Superficial Environment

Video: The environment on LinkedIn has often been criticized for prioritizing appearances and status over genuine professional value. This toxic culture can discourage users from being their true selves, as they feel pressured to conform to an unrealistic standard of success and perfection.

My view: While there is some truth to this, the power to change the environment lies with us as users. By fostering a culture of openness, humility, and support, we can shift the focus from superficial status symbols to genuine professional development. Encouraging others, sharing real challenges, and supporting those who are honest about their journey can make LinkedIn a more inclusive and supportive space.

Two More...

Additionally, I am introducing two more viewpoints that were not covered in the video:

5. Misuse of LinkedIn for Non-Business Relevant Personal or Political Statements

Beyond the four points highlighted in the video, another growing concern is the misuse of LinkedIn for personal (example: Link) or political statements (examples: Link or Link) that are not relevant to the professional world. LinkedIn is increasingly being used as a platform for discussions better suited to other social media networks, diluting its professional focus.

While professionals need to have a voice, LinkedIn is primarily a business platform. Users should keep discussions relevant to professional growth, industry insights, and career development. Political or highly personal posts, unless directly related to one's profession or industry, can alienate connections and detract from the platform's core purpose. Let's reserve such conversations for platforms specifically designed for personal expression.

6. The Flood of Useless Motivational Videos and Ridiculous Analogies

LinkedIn has become a playground for overly simplistic and often absurd motivational videos—like a motorbike racer crashing, sprinting back to the pit, grabbing a spare bike, and continuing the race, accompanied by the profound message: “Failure is not the end of your story, it’s the beginning of your comeback.” (-> Link). No... it isn't.... at least not in the given example... the guy made obviously a gross driving error and will finish the race last.

Or a cat (is it a cat? or a small dog? anyway....) balancing a rolling sportsman, captioned: “Is Team Collaboration the Key to Project Success?” (-> Link). Seriously? Of course, "Team collaboration" is important for the success of a project. But what has this to do with a cat running over the ... of a guy?

Another example shows two mill players, one of whom looks like the winner for a long time before the other wins the entire game shortly before the end (-> Link). The title says: "Quick Wins vs. Strategy". Come on! It only shows how stupid the player with the yellow tokens is, putting all his tokens in the worst pattern possible (keeping always one field empty between them). No more and no less.

Or a last one (I could continue for hours): An ant fighting for live being surrounded by water with the slogan: "You'll never know your full potential until you try" (-> Link). One very true comment from a LinkedIn user says: "The message here is: panic while you feel or see there is no way out. Once you get squashed, swim for survival and maybe if you're lucky you'll survive.". I would say: "The ant is not smart enough to escape using the surface tension of the water until it is forced to do so!".

These posts are nothing more than empty hot air, desperately trying to spin unrelated scenarios into forced life lessons. We might as well share a video of someone meticulously crafting an intricate origami piece with the caption, “Never work in teams! Always work alone!” It’s time we stop treating LinkedIn like a never-ending feed of vacuous “life consulting” videos and start focusing on content that truly adds professional value.

Believing in the Value of LinkedIn

Despite these criticisms, I still believe in the potential and value of LinkedIn. However, we must be mindful of how we use it. The saying, "We are not standing in a traffic jam. We ARE the traffic jam," perfectly encapsulates our role in this environment. By being more intentional, authentic, and supportive in our interactions, we can collectively steer LinkedIn back towards its true purpose: a platform for genuine professional networking, growth, and opportunity.