Avoiding Common LinkedIn Mistakes for Leaders
LinkedIn is a powerful tool for leadership development, but common mistakes can quietly undermine your credibility and impact.
In Episode 70 of Talent Talk, I dive into these pitfalls with Dean Seddon, CEO of Maverick, to help leaders maximize their online presence. Whether you’re a recruiter, HR leader, or executive, avoiding these missteps will strengthen your personal branding and expand your influence.
🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify to learn Dean’s strategies for LinkedIn success.
Common LinkedIn Pitfalls to Avoid
Dean identifies three major mistakes that sabotage LinkedIn success:
Lack of Guidance: Companies often restrict LinkedIn activity without offering frameworks for thought leadership, leaving teams confused and hesitant.
Self-Centered Content: Posting only about your brand alienates your audience.
“Nobody cares about your brand alone.” — Dean SeddonChasing Metrics: Likes and follower counts can be misleading.
“Followers don’t equal revenue.” — Dean Seddon
Example:
A firm that pivoted from promotional posts to leadership-focused insights doubled its engagement, highlighting the power of audience-first content.
Solution:
Develop a simple, team-wide content guide to encourage consistent and strategic posting.
Don’t Treat LinkedIn Like a Contact List
LinkedIn isn’t just an online Rolodex—it’s a platform for building new relationships.
“It’s about building new relationships.” — Dean Seddon
Engagement drives visibility and trust. Commenting on posts, sharing insight, or sending thoughtful DMs are simple actions that open doors.
Example:
One leader’s comment on an industry article led to 20 new connections and a direct client referral.
Action:
Connect with one new person each week—via post comments, DMs, or shared content.
Foster Team Engagement
Encouraging your team to use LinkedIn amplifies your organizational brand and supports talent attraction.
Simple team actions that drive impact:
Repost content with commentary or insight
Share updates from trade shows, projects, or internal milestones
Start small—one post per team member per week builds confidence and consistency
Example:
A company that encouraged weekly team posts saw a 30% increase in profile views and attracted new hires.
“One post per team member creates a great brand.” — Dean Seddon
Tip: Provide simple templates or prompts to help team members get started.
Prioritize Authenticity
Authenticity is a key driver of trust on LinkedIn. Corporate-speak won’t connect—your real values will.
“Know who you are.” — Dean Seddon
Share stories or values that reflect who you are as a leader.
A post about mentoring, supporting a cause, or overcoming a leadership challenge builds connection.
Example:
A leader’s post about a charity they support sparked a wave of client messages, proving that personal posts can drive professional opportunities.
Action:
In your next post, share something personal: a value, a cause, or a leadership insight that reflects who you are.
Are Hashtags Still Relevant?
By 2025, LinkedIn’s algorithms will prioritize quality content over hashtags. Generic hashtags like #Leadership offers limited value.
Do use:
Branded hashtags like #CareerEstablishment to build identity.
Don’t rely on:
Hashtags to drive reach. Focus instead on keywords, clear writing, and emotional connection.
Why Avoiding Mistakes Matters
Avoiding common LinkedIn mistakes transforms your profile into a strategic leadership tool. With the right focus, your content can attract top talent, generate client leads, and build long-term authority.
The Career Establishment’s coaching and training programs help leaders and teams build LinkedIn strategies that actually convert.
Case Study:
A sales director shifted to audience-focused, value-driven posts and secured three new client meetings within weeks.
Take Control of Your LinkedIn Presence
Audit your current LinkedIn activity:
Are you posting only promotional content?
Are your team members unsure of what to post?
Are you chasing likes instead of conversations?
Start with one authentic post
Encourage a team member to share a win
Focus on building genuine engagement, not vanity metrics
Need help aligning your LinkedIn presence with your leadership goals? Explore our Corporate Training at The Career Establishment for practical support.
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