The Wild West of LinkedIn: Professionalism or Playground?

So here’s a tale from the LinkedIn frontier. I bumped into a user—let's call him Calum. Imagine, there I was, just scrolling through my feed, when I saw Calum tossing around words that should have retired a century ago, targeting people with disabilities. Now, being someone who believes in a bit of decency, I called him out—not on his questionable fashion sense but on his even more questionable attitude.

What does our friend Calum do? He doesn’t pause for a moment of self-reflection. Oh no, he hits the big red button and reports me for harassment. And guess what? LinkedIn sided with him! Yep, apparently, calling someone out for their "small ego" is a bigger no-no than using slurs.

LinkedIn’s Moderation Lottery: Are We Feeling Lucky?

This whole mess throws a big, fat spotlight on what’s going wrong with LinkedIn's moderating team. It's like they’re picking names out of a hat to decide who gets a slap on the wrist. Say something genuinely offensive? Eh, roll the dice. Defend decency? Watch out; you might just get the boot!

Why Do We Even Bother?

You might wonder why anyone would even engage if it’s going to be this chaotic. Well, most of us are here trying to make professional connections, not to police playground antics. But when things get out of hand, shouldn’t there be a grown-up around to step in?

Keeping It Real Without Getting Kicked Out

Here’s a thought—maybe we can navigate LinkedIn without stepping on a landmine. Here’s how:

• Report the Nonsense: If you see something, say something. Use those report buttons for their intended purpose.
• Keep It Classy: Throw shade with style. If you must call out nonsense, maybe don’t make it personal.
• Backup Plan: Got screenshots? Keep them. Sometimes, you need evidence to prove you’re the hero, not the villain.
• Find Your Tribe: Get support from your network. Sometimes, there’s strength in numbers.

So, What’s the Game Plan, LinkedIn?

How about a little consistency? A sprinkle of transparency? It’s high time LinkedIn figured out a way to keep things professional without stifling genuine interaction. Maybe then we can all get back to networking instead of net-worrying.

And there you have it. Another day, another drama on LinkedIn. Let's hope for fewer Calums and more clarity. But until then, watch your back, keep it cool, and maybe, just maybe, we can all get along long enough to get some work done.

https://www.uniteddisabilities.com/

https://www.terryloerch.com/