What if we were truthful on Linkedin?

What if we were truthful on LinkedIn? And, I mean true - nothing but the true - like we were standing in front of a judge. How would that impact how we read posts, perceive others and share news? What if our accomplishments were received by others as the achievement we most valued in our careers? What if those things included not only big, but also small achievements that make us smile and feel proud about ourselves? What if, when a friend reads our post, they smile so profoundly and sincerely and react by clicking on the smile button? What if the first expression on our face was identified by the LinkedIn algorithm?

What if we share with vulnerability our mistakes ? What if I write about the job I really wanted but was not selected? Or even, a post about being laid off from a company I really admired or a job I really needed ? What if I told you about the pain which is to continue when the next step feels so uncertain? What if others perceived our vulnerability as an opportunity to help us? And having connections meant people were willing to help when help was needed - not numbers on a screen.

Maybe it is impossible and really naive even to suggest it. These first paragraphs remind me of the song ‘Image’ from John Lennon. I used to love that song when I was a teenager, but now as an adult it seems naive. So, let’s get serious, we are not that truthful in our personal networks like Instagram and Facebook, how could we be in a professional network? Now I see. It is impossible. I am a woman in business and I fear being perceived as naive and being targeted for abuse. The world is not this beautiful Hallmark movie. It is unfair. It plays dirty.

But perhaps, less fake and more true is a direction we can try? Maybe, we can do it for ourselves first. Recognizing it just for ourselves. And maybe, with time, we can grow, evolve and share. And maybe, this can be the thing that puts us apart from the crowd. Following the school is nice and safe. And safety in our world in the 21st century means having money to provide for ourselves and our families. I feel it too. But how can we be leaders if we are following trends? And, who makes these trends? Who are we following?

In business, we talk all the time about competitive differences. In order to succeed, we need to create traction and show how we are different from the competition. If LinkedIn is a professional network and we all understand this first rule of business, why do we try so hard to fit in and not to stand out?

What if we could start a new trend? Changes come slowly. And that is a good thing. One post at a time. Challenge the crowd with me and white a ‘What if’ scenario you thought, it can be real or it can be imaginative. Your choice. The world is ours to make what we want with it.