Supporting Others: A Punk Approach to LinkedIn

Leadership is often portrayed as a relentless climb to the top, where it’s every person for themselves. In the corporate world, this “survival of the fittest” mindset can be pervasive, pushing people to see success as a limited resource that only a few can achieve. But what if I told you there’s another way—a way to embrace abundance for everyone, not just yourself?

In my experience, leadership is about more than just reaching the summit alone; it’s about helping others along the way. That’s why I’ve chosen a different strategy when it comes to supporting others on platforms like LinkedIn. Instead of competing for visibility, I focus on lifting others up, particularly those who are just starting out or may not have the same reach. This is my punk approach to leadership: rejecting the scarcity mindset and embracing a belief in abundance for all.

The Problem with “Survival of the Fittest”

In many spaces, especially on social media, the prevailing mindset is to focus on personal growth and success at the expense of others. The assumption is that if someone else is succeeding, it somehow diminishes your own chances. But I see things differently.

I believe that we’re all on our own journeys, striving to achieve something meaningful. We’re not competitors in a race where only one person can win. Instead, we’re fellow travelers on different paths, each with our own challenges and goals. For me, it’s not about using others as stepping stones to climb higher; it’s about reaching my own goals while raising others up alongside me.

Embracing a Strategy of Empathy: Commenting vs. Reposting

This philosophy has led me to a specific strategy for engaging with content on LinkedIn. I focus on supporting smaller creators through meaningful comments on their posts and by reposting content from larger accounts with added personal insights. Here’s why I think this matters and how it fits into my approach to leadership.

1. Commenting on Smaller Accounts: For smaller creators, every like, comment, and engagement counts. When I come across content from someone with a smaller following, I take the time to read and leave a meaningful comment. Why? Because it’s a way of showing empathy and support. By directly engaging with their content, I’m not just boosting their visibility but also acknowledging their hard work and journey.
2. Reposting Larger Accounts with Personal Takeaways: On the other hand, when it comes to larger accounts, I take a different approach. If I find content that resonates with me or aligns with my values, I’ll repost it with my own commentary. This is less about boosting their visibility (since they already have a large reach) and more about sharing valuable insights with my network.

Why This Approach Matters to Me

At its core, this strategy isn’t just about algorithms or engagement metrics; it’s about empathy. I know what it’s like to be on a journey, trying to make your voice heard. That’s why it’s so important to me to support others, especially those who may not have as much visibility or reach.

For me, it’s not about using others to climb the ladder faster. It’s about achieving my own goals in a way that leaves others better off. When I finally reach where I want to be, I’d rather look back and know that I lifted others up along the way than have regrets about stepping on people to get ahead.

The Punk Leadership Perspective

This mindset of supporting others aligns perfectly with my punk leadership ethos. Punk isn’t just about rebellion for the sake of it; it’s about challenging the norms that don’t serve us. The idea that success is a zero-sum game is one of those outdated norms.

In the punk leadership world, abundance is the new currency. It’s about rejecting the scarcity mindset that tells us there’s only so much to go around. Instead, I believe in abundance for all—there’s enough room for everyone to succeed, and by helping others, we all benefit in the long run.

When you comment on someone’s post or reshare their content, you’re not just helping them—you’re contributing to a culture of support and collaboration. That’s what real leadership looks like: creating an environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

How You Can Support Others, If It Aligns with Your Values

Now, I’m not here to tell you that you should do the same. Everyone has their own values and priorities, and that’s okay. But if supporting others resonates with you, consider how you might incorporate this approach into your daily interactions on LinkedIn.

• Engage Meaningfully: Take a few minutes each day to leave thoughtful comments on posts that resonate with you, especially from smaller creators. Your support could make a big difference in their journey.
• Share Insights, Not Just Content: When reposting, add your own commentary to provide value to your network. It’s a way of making the content your own and connecting it to your unique perspective.
• Focus on Empathy Over Competition: Remember, we’re all on our own journeys. There’s enough success to go around, and by helping others, you’re not diminishing your own potential—you’re expanding it.

In Conclusion: Leadership is About Lifting Others Up

At the end of the day, leadership isn’t just about being at the top. It’s about knowing when to lift others up, even if it doesn’t directly benefit you in the short term. Whether it’s a small comment on a post or a thoughtful repost, these little actions can have a big impact.

For me, this is what leadership is all about. It’s about challenging the norms, rejecting the idea that we have to fight each other for scraps, and embracing the belief that we can all succeed together. That’s the punk leadership way.

What are your thoughts on supporting others in their journey? Does it align with your values? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your perspective.