Kathleen Stockham - Chief Marketing Officer, South College.
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If you have spent any time on social media, you will no doubt have noticed that personal views (including those on politics, religion, personal life, medical decisions, geography and even food choices) often represent a dividing line on “where you stand.”
Funny: It was not so long ago that you never, ever discussed the “big four” in most circles. (Those are politics, religion, your personal life and money.) And that meant nowhere: especially on the job.
However, social media and reality TV seem to have helped to blur those lines more than a Snapchat filter, and there are fewer lines drawn between what is “appropriate” and what is not for public consumption. (Trust me, I just finished bingeing Real Housewives of Atlanta during my morning workouts and I assure you, nothing is off limits in that show …)
But as we race to our social media accounts to chime in on the latest topic, I think it’s important to consider whether we are commenting as ourselves or commenting as “employees of ...” It’s a real question that demands real thought for both employees and employers.
Sure, individuals have a right to express their personal belief systems: check. But I think we should consider when it does and doesn’t make sense to pollinate that belief system onto LinkedIn where our comments are now linked in perpetuity to our names—which are connected to our work history, education and other information that a potential employer (or current employer) might be seeing. For example, is it okay (or even smart) to blast our personal beliefs (or attack someone for theirs) in full view of everyone we have a first, second or third connection with? Think: “Hi, I don’t know you, but putting cheese on grits is disgusting and you are a horrible, awful person for doing so. Have a nice day.”
(Sorry, this Southerner says cheese on grits is disgusting—but that’s a conversation for another day.)
I am repeatedly astonished at the level of personal attacks, outrageous opinions and frankly, blunt and risqué talk I see on LinkedIn from people who I do and don’t know. Could there be consequences to pontificating on the latest Google update today but commenting on someone’s politically tinged post tomorrow?
Hello? Is this thing on?
All of your activity is searchable on LinkedIn—all of it. Everything you like, celebrate, post and comment on is now forever linked to you and your resume. Consider when it is and isn’t a good idea to “paint” your resume with your personal views.
While you ponder that, look at it from the view of the employer. Do you want one of your employees out there slinging mud on your customer’s political choices, their co-workers and your business policies or even sharing opinions when your company name appears right next to their name and job title? Does it matter? Can you do anything about it? Should you?
Is the landfill of opinions piling up going to be more of a distraction for you? Is it worth acknowledging you have a blister out there simmering on the surface that is about to become a large boil smack in the center of your brand? What’s your policy on how employees represent your company?
Facebook and Instagram are really not much better, but at least we can use an anonymous account on those platforms without causing too much harm. However, when we do decide to Velcro our personal views to our LinkedIns, I think it’s important to remember that while an employer may or may not be able to take action against us for our views (depending on the context), they sure can form opinions that could inadvertently and possibly sway their decision to award us (or not award us) that corner office or bigger role.
Admit it: How many times have you scrolled LinkedIn only to see someone you know comment on a post that causes you to make “that face” and think, “Ohhh, I would not have said that”? Understand that it’s likely not so much about the content of the views we share but more about the fact that in doing so, we signify that we are willing to “hang our dirty socks” out there for all to see. I have seen a few things on LinkedIn that I honestly believe involved a few margaritas and a cell phone nearby.
It’s human nature to have opinions, impressions and points of view on people, places and persuasions. Anyone who tells you they don’t have at least a fleeting opinion is full of stuffing and possibly a politician.
However, it’s important to consider how willing we are to “die on the sword” for our personal views. (That’s not a bad thing when we are, obviously; it’s a rhetorical question.) We should consider whether we’re okay with possibly losing out on a potential job, promotion, a mentor or even causing unintended harm to our loved ones and their careers due to something we post. (Yes, it could happen.) What things are better left unsaid? Should we go back to the days of “we don’t discuss it”? In what cases would that be okay? Why or why not?
Belief is an awesome and wonderfully powerful thing to have. Belief and our personal values are part of what give us depth, context and purpose. However, I think a good rule of thumb to consider is this: If we wouldn’t put our views on a T-shirt to wear in front of Grandma, we should consider whether they are okay to serve up online with a side of resume.
Forbes Communications Council is an invitation-only community for executives in successful public relations, media strategy, creative and advertising agencies. Do I qualify?
