Maybe we can remove some judgement from the posts that people share on LinkedIn and celebrate inclusion and consider that people are maybe just being their authentic selves. Maybe we all can learn to share a little more.
A couple of weeks ago I shared a gratitude post, hailing the virtues of working for myself and my happiness at not being chained to my corporate role, where I would have felt obliged to check those emails every day. I shared openly that these last few months had been challenging for my physical, emotional and career wellbeing. I was being real, and people responded.
I want to talk about being real, I want to talk about why Linked In is a community for business, social and emotional connection. I want to challenge the idea that professional means you can't show your emotions, you can't share personal or you can't simply be yourself. So, the next time you see a comment or caveat, that says ' This is not Facebook, but...' - take a minute and consider....
Empathy
The first thing I do when I see any content, is ask myself, what might be going on for this individual right now. How brave it is for someone to share something deeply personal about themselves. Does the motive for posting it matter? The cynics amongst us will be thinking that they are only doing it for the 'likes'. That in itself makes me even more curious, as I think about whether there is something within them that needs the validation or the connection.
Call in the behaviour
Of course, there will be times when you think that the content is not appopriate, irrespective of the social platform, and this is when there is an opportunity to engage. Rather than chastise or attack, it can be an opportunity to offer a view in a neutral way, pointing out areas where you think there is an opportunity to improve. The point here is not be proven right or wrong, its an opportunity to engage in a dialogue, offering perspectives, outside of an echo chamber. We can 'dare to disagree' with one another in a respectful way. Margaret Heffernan talks beautifully about constructive conflict, suggesting that we need to seek it out.
"It's a fantastic model of collaboration - thinking partners who aren't echo chambers. I wonder how many of us have, or dare to have, such collaborators." – Margaret Heffernan
This is me
The other thing to consider when considering what content to post is the question of authenticity. One of the things I firmly believe, is that if I am prepared to put myself out there, tell stories, share differences, then I am creating an environment for others to do the same. One of the things that I was proud of when I was at my last company was that I always shared stories on purpose. Whether it was stories about family, grief, illness, menopause, wellbeing. It didn't matter because I wanted to change the dialogue. I firmly believe that you can be a great leader and still share who you really are. I have cried at work, I have told the uncomfortable truth, I have told people I am not coping, I have told people when they disappointed me. This for me is is simple, it's humanity.
Accept all those connections
When you think about whether you are in an echo chamber, one of the best ways to get out of it, is to broaden your network. We have all probably been at fault of ignoring or declining requests for connection. The way I look at it is, what could this person share with me that I don't already know. When you ask to to connect with someone, tell them why you think it would be good to do so. I know sometimes that isn't possible, but once they accept your request, follow up and tell them. And the next time you get a request from someone you don't know, before you hit decline, ask yourself, could I learn something new here?
Show up
Lastly, the next time you are thinking about posting content on Linked In, put all other thoughts of appropriateness of platform out of your head. Instead, remember that this is your opportunity to lead, to influence, to share - there will be a reader out there who appreciates you for sharing more than the traditional status update. You are showing up, you are being yourself and Linked In is providing an environment that includes everyone.
Thinking partner
Are you sitting in an echo chamber? Do you need a thinking partner? Get in touch with me today
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