Navigating the LinkedIn Highlight Reel: Protecting Your Psychological Safety

A few weeks ago, I was listening to a talk on how we often forget social media is just a glimpse into the lives of others. I adjusted in my seat a little, not because I took the words personally, but I felt called to reflect on the role I play, specifically on LinkedIn. I admit I spend (an appropriate amount of) time on LinkedIn, where I enjoy seeing my connections showcase their wins, awards, and career highlights, while also sharing my own. Recently, I posted I was named a Top 15 Chief Diversity Officer as well as an interview with the Charlotte Business Journal. I’ll admit the likes, comments and shares certainly boosted my confidence and the dopamine spike was nice, but I keep going back to the talk – that it is all just a highlight reel.

Are we, am I, unintentionally bolstering an environment where comparison easily thrives? Scrolling through LinkedIn, it's easy to fall into the trap of believing everyone else is experiencing tremendous success, climbing corporate ladders, attending events or speaking on panels, when the reality is often more than we can imagine. Behind every award, promotion or conference post you see is a story of hard work, determination, even rejection and failure. What we see on LinkedIn is often just the highlight reel, something we each carefully curate to present a polished image to the world. Everyone faces setbacks and challenges along the way, but these are rarely highlighted on LinkedIn.

Instead of allowing comparison to steal our joy, we can shift our focus toward celebrating both our own accomplishments and those of others. Celebrating the achievements of others not only fosters a sense of community but also helps to cultivate a more positive and supportive culture both online and in person.

I am not immune to the feelings of jealousy or inadequacies, and here are a few ways I protect my psychological safety on LinkedIn while navigating the sea of others’ successes:

1. Limit Your Time on LinkedIn: Spending excessive amounts of time scrolling through LinkedIn can intensify negative feelings, I try to set boundaries for myself and limit my screen time to prevent the negative emotions or the tentacles of envy creep in.

2. Practice Gratitude: Instead of focusing on what [I think] I lack compared to others, I focus on what I have accomplished in my journey. When I practice gratitude, it helps shift my perspective and I feel a greater sense of appreciation for my own journey.

3. Remember Your Worth: My value in life or as a professional is not determined by the number of likes or endorsements I receive on LinkedIn.

LinkedIn is an incredible space for networking, professional growth, and connection, but it's important to remember to approach the platform with an awareness of the potential impact on our psychological well-being. By celebrating ourselves and others, practicing gratitude, and reframing our mindset, we can protect our psychological safety and thrive amidst the LinkedIn highlight reel. After all, true success is not measured by comparison but by the fulfillment we find in our own journeys.