Socially Speaking... Is LinkedIn the new Facebook?
Just asking for a friend...
When I joined LinkedIn, way back in 2009 at the behest of one of my senior leaders, I was reluctant at first. I was leery of social media platforms in general - still very much a noob for even Facebook back then. However, once onboard the platform I was encouraged by the promise for this "new" business tool.
Imagine an online environment for networking, contact management and business "social marketing", and it's largely free!! There were meaningful articles and insightful advice, great peer networking and search tools, and ways to research career opportunity advancement. A business person's proverbial goldmine.
So Dave, what has changed? LinkedIn still has all that and much more don't they?
Well... Yes, but over the last year or so - LinkedIn has also unfortunately picked up a lot of the "Bad Habits" of other Social Media platforms - or rather, perhaps maybe its users have.
I'm not talking about posts that show people doing things outside of work, or even outside of business. In-fact, I rather enjoy seeing some of the adventurous things colleagues and associates do in their spare time. Hopefully - nobody reading this lives to work.
Rather the new "plague" I'm speaking about is the nearly continuous feed of political rhetoric, the vile personal attacks, and other toxic posts and behavior.
Not only is this irrelevant to conducting business and networking, but perhaps most annoyingly - this would NOT be tolerated by the HR departments of most of the firms we work for. Just because LinkedIn doesn't block it, doesn't mean you should say it.
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Sadly, it has reached such an epidemic in my LinkedIn feed of late, that it is significantly degrading the value of this platform for the things I use it for most; Network, Career, Information. And it's bothering me to a point I can no longer remain silent.
Part of my daily morning coffee ritual, is to become more informed through articles and links posted on LinkedIn. But this has now unfortunately started to resemble 60 minutes of Doomscrolling and results in me walking away moderately depressed.
I would truly hope that as professionals, we can demonstrate the class and civility, same as we would in a meeting room face-to-face at our own place of business. I would love to see my feed on LinkedIn trend back toward business relevant topics... but most importantly - I'd like to see it trend towards simple civility. I kind of expect Jerry Springer when I'm scrolling Facebook or Instagram...(maybe that says something about my "friends" ??). But to be 100% clear - I don't wish to see that HERE on this professional platform. Do YOU?
Look, there are literally dozens of social media platforms where you can pick those battles and say those things and even be completely unhinged if you desire. But respectfully, a platform like LinkedIn is no place for that.
Keep it classy LinkedIn peeps. Kindness matters.
#BeKind #StayClassyLinkedIn
DC
Director of Software Development @Sombra
11 个月David, thanks for sharing!
As the useless green garland has provided no opportunities in over five years, I've decided to remove it from my profile picture on my milestone birthday, and no longer actively seek new opportunities.
1 年This is the only “social” media platform I’ve ever joined. It was helpful for building a network when I was employed, but less useful for finding a new role when I took early retirement. It seems to have become worse since the Microsoft acquisition. Fifty percent of my feed these days are adverts or sponsored posts. I keep giving feedback that they are annoying, but to no avail. Another 25% of my feed is then politics, religion or personal postings. Although some of these can be business-related, these are mostly not. If it wasn’t for the fact I don’t want to lose my only form of contact with some old friends and past-colleagues, I’d unsubscribe. I did cancel my Premium subscription this year, though.
Sales | Identity Security
1 年The best way to reduce the content we don't want to see is to ignore it. As difficult as that can be sometimes. Especially when people post really inflammatory or stupid stuff.
Leader & Facilitator in IAM, SASE, Network & Endpoint Security. Access, PAM, IGA and other Cybersecurity needs
1 年Well said Dave! Hope you are well!
Helping clients navigate from legacy, on-premise identity technology to modern, analyst-recognized SaaS solutions.
1 年Spot on Dave - while world events permeate our lives, it would be nice to have a respite, and place to focus on the important work our jobs entail. That includes networking with individuals trying to solve important BUSINESS issues.