Polarization on LinkedIn: Risks and Benefits

Seth Godin:

“In a crowded marketplace, fitting in is failing. In a busy marketplace, not standing out is the same as being invisible.”

Polarization is one of the fastest ways to differentiate yourself. It works on any social platform.

But using polarization—where you share strong opinions to start discussions—needs careful handling to keep your good reputation.

Being human is being able to think.

And if something is not a fact;

It is open to interpretation.

So we all take sides.

Why Taking Sides Can Be Good:

1. Better Conversations: Sharing strong opinions can make people talk more and think deeper about topics.
2. New Ideas: When you bring up new viewpoints, you can attract different people who might not have noticed you before.
3. Finding Your Crowd: People who agree with your views might become loyal followers and help boost your posts.

But, There Are Risks:

• Hurting Your Image: If you handle it badly, you might end up looking bad. People might see you as less trustworthy, negative or toxic. So stay away from targeting a specific group of people for your brand.

• Career Risks: Making a bad impression can also affect your job chances and professional relationships. Your LinkedIn personal brand is directly connected to your career unlike other social platforms. If you execute polarization wrong, it can affect your career negatively.

Best Ways to Manage Taking Sides:

Stay Respectful: Even when discussing hot topics, be nice. This keeps discussions friendly and open. I

Be Honest and Transparent: Only share what you truly believe. This keeps you from seeming fake.

Choose Words Carefully: Think about how your words can affect others and try to avoid upsetting anyone.

Listen to Others Opinions: Even if you don't agree, listening and respecting other views can make conversations richer.

NEVER target a specific person or a group of people.

Try to stay away from religious and political debates.

Using polarization wisely can make you more interesting and draw people to your posts.

But remember, it's important to be careful and thoughtful about how you share your opinions to avoid any backlash.

Are you ready to build an audience and start creating services/product?

I'm ready to help whenever you are ready.

Task of the Week

Think of the successful polarization examples, understand how you can do it.

Question of the Week

What are the other risks of polarizing on LinkedIn