Scrolling through LinkedIn this week felt… different. Instead of the usual updates on promotions, industry insights, or thoughtful professional advice, my feed has been peppered with heated debates about politics. It’s the kind of content you expect to see on Facebook or Twitter—not LinkedIn. And yet here we are, with professionals going head-to-head on a platform designed to showcase our career highlights, not our ideological battlegrounds.
I get it. Politics is passionate, divisive, and deeply personal. It’s tied to who we are as people and what we stand for. But here’s the thing—LinkedIn is not the place for a political showdown. If anything, it’s the least appropriate place to share contentious opinions or public disagreements. And if you’re wondering why, stick around.
Is Politics Professional?
While every professional undeniably has personal beliefs, the question is whether those beliefs belong in a professional setting. Platforms like LinkedIn are career-focused—they are spaces for learning, networking, and growing opportunities. Think of LinkedIn as the online equivalent of a networking event. Would you walk into one of those events and loudly debate your political stance with someone in the middle of the room? Would you call your future boss’s opinion “idiotic” to their face? Probably not.
Yet online, the rules of engagement seem to fly out the window. Throw in the possibility for misinterpretation (tone doesn’t translate well over a status update), and before you know it, harmless political musings can spiral into an uncomfortable argument for the world—and recruiters—to see.
In the article by Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, "Could Your Political Views Stymie Your Career? - From being hired to getting a promotion, new research shows you may be penalized for disagreeing politically with the boss." the author discusses how mixing politics with LinkedIn can have damaging effects on one's career, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a professional presence on the platform to avoid jeopardizing future opportunities. So, it is crucial for professionals to refrain from discussing political topics in order to focus on their career path and foster positive connections with colleagues and employers.
The Career Cost of Mixing Politics with LinkedIn
Sharing and debating politics on LinkedIn isn’t just unprofessional—it can be downright damaging to your career.
Here’s why:
First Impressions Matter: From recruiters to colleagues to future employers, a lot of eyes are on your profile. Those well-meaning political hot takes may alienate rather than impress.
Risk of Division: While diversity of thought should always be respected, overt political posts can drive wedges between you and your professional network. It’s inevitable—what resonates with one person may offend another.
Conflict is on Display: If you’re publicly engaging in heated arguments or aggressive opinions, it shows how you handle conflict. And spoiler—it’s not a great look for professionals.
Remember, your LinkedIn profile is essentially your professional business card. Every word, post, or comment you add reflects who you are and how you conduct yourself in the workplace. Keep that in mind before you post something that might backfire.
The PRM Principle—and Why It Matters
I mention this in my book, The Reward of Risk, specifically in Chapter 4, where I talk about “The PRM Principle." PRM stands for politics, religion, and money—three topics I believe should be left at the door when you enter the professional space.
Here’s why PRM matters:
Everyone Has an Opinion: And everyone is entitled to it. Professional spaces, however, aren’t meant to validate or debate personal beliefs. They’re meant to foster collaboration, respect, and shared goals.
Risk Without Reward: Engaging in PRM topics at work (or on professional platforms like LinkedIn) offers little to no professional upside—it only exposes you to unnecessary scrutiny, judgment, and friction.
Focus on Shared Values as Professionals: Instead of what divides us, focusing on what connects and elevates us as professionals sets a more positive, productive tone.
Using this principle doesn’t mean suppressing your beliefs—it simply means saving certain conversations for the appropriate time and platform.
How to Keep LinkedIn Professional
If this topic resonates with you (and if you’re tired of political posts clogging your feed), here are some suggestions for navigating LinkedIn with professionalism and grace:
Stick to Industry-Specific Content: Share articles, updates, and insights that matter to your niche. Showcase your expertise and provide value to others in your network.
Use LinkedIn to Build Bridges, Not Barriers: Engage in conversations that spark curiosity, collaboration, and learning. Avoid trigger topics that could alienate others.
Think Before You Post: Consider how your post may be perceived by others in your network, especially professionals outside your usual circles.
Celebrate Diverse Viewpoints Professionally: Respect the fact that your colleagues and connections may see things differently. That’s the beauty of working with diverse minds!
Wrapping it Up
LinkedIn’s beauty lies in its purpose—it’s a place to connect, learn, and grow as professionals. Bringing politics or other divisive topics into the mix detracts from this purpose, turning what should be a space for inspiration into a digital battlefield.
If you’re tempted to post your opinion, ask yourself this first—will this help my career? If the honest answer is no (and it usually is), it’s better left unsaid on LinkedIn.
Your future employers, recruiters, and colleagues will be watching not just what you post, but how you engage. Show them that you’re a professional who can manage differing opinions respectfully and keep your LinkedIn presence focused on what truly matters—your career, skills, and professional growth.
Because at the end of the day, LinkedIn isn’t just a platform. It’s a stage. And your performance here? It’s the one that counts.
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