#046 - Why Authentic Profiles Win Big on LinkedIn (and How to Build Yours)
Remember that time you rehearsed a "spontaneous" joke for a networking event?
And how it felt when it fell flat?
That’s the thing about authenticity—you can’t fake it. Yet, so many of us try. We carefully curate our profiles, choose the most flattering photos, and polish our stories until they gleam. But in the process, we often lose what makes us... us.
Most of us present an idealised version of ourselves online. But at what cost? You might wonder—why does authenticity even matter, especially on LinkedIn, where it's all about being professional, right?
Here’s why:
• Genuine stories spark real opportunities. When you share your true experiences, people connect with the human behind the profile. That’s where the real magic happens.
• Authentic profiles see 60% more engagement. People are drawn to honesty. They can tell when something is real versus when it's just noise. And they respond to it.
• Real connections lead to more fulfilling collaborations. When you bring your full, genuine self to your interactions, you attract others who value the same. This leads to deeper professional relationships and more meaningful work.
• 94% of consumers say transparency is the key to brand loyalty. Whether you're representing a company or your personal brand, transparency builds trust. And trust is everything in business.
• Authentic leaders are 4x more likely to be recommended by colleagues. People follow leaders they trust, and trust is built on authenticity.
So, how do you keep it real in a world that thrives on filters and highlight reels?
Here’s your authenticity challenge for the week: Share one unfiltered professional insight with your LinkedIn network.
How to approach it:
1. Ditch the corporate jargon—talk like a human. No need to sound like a corporate robot. Write the way you speak. Make it personal and relatable.
2. Be unapologetically you—embrace your quirks. We all have quirks that make us unique. Lean into them. They’re what set you apart from everyone else.
3. Showcase a project that’s still a work-in-progress. You don’t need to have it all figured out. In fact, sharing something in progress makes you more relatable and opens the door for meaningful feedback.
4. Share a recent failure and the lesson you took from it. We all mess up. Pretending we don’t is exhausting. Sharing what you learned from failure is powerful and humanising.
5. Post about what excites you, not just what you think others want to hear. Passion is contagious. When you talk about something that excites you, people can feel it—and they’ll be drawn to you because of it.
Remember: Your unique journey is your greatest asset. Don’t polish it to the point of losing what makes it real.
LinkedIn might feel like a place where you need to present the best version of yourself—but what if your next big opportunity comes from being refreshingly real instead?
So, what’s holding you back from showing your true professional self?
Authenticity is the best strategy online. And more importantly, it’s what builds lasting connections that go beyond just business. So this week, challenge yourself to show up as the real you—and see where it takes you.