I have never been much for social media. I do not have a Twitter handle and I am not on Facebook. I thought TikTok was the sound of a clock, and I have absolutely no idea what Snapchat is or how it works.
Like many people, I have always desired to keep my private life… private. I was encouraged to create a LinkedIn profile while job hunting. It was emphasized that in this era, not having a social media presence may look like you are trying to hide something. At the same time, I heard horror stories of potential employers using online posts against you during the hiring process. This is the double-edged sword of social media: How do you balance sharing yourself with the world without potentially hindering your professional opportunities?
So although I gave in and created a LinkedIn profile, for many years I was a bystander, or “lurker” as the kids like to say. I didn’t do much more than update my profile when I changed jobs, or add credentials as I earned them. I rarely looked at my feed.
Recently, I decided to engage more on LinkedIn. I commented on posts, created a few myself, and tried to expand my connections beyond friends, co-workers and clients. The results of my efforts have been mixed. When asked to write this piece, I began reflecting on why I decided to ramp up my LinkedIn activity. Like so many things these days, the reason came down to one word: pandemic.
I cut my teeth in office environments at companies where the rules seemed pretty clear: Leave your home life at home. The daily commute became the dividing line between home persona and work identity—like Clark Kent changing to Superman in a phone booth. I remember interacting with co-workers early in my career and wondering, “What is this person like at home?” Remote work shifted the dynamic. We can now attend meetings while cooking dinner, watch training videos while waiting for our kid to get home from school, or wrap up a valuation review when we can’t sleep at 2:30 a.m. Our home lives and work lives are now intricately woven together.
There are plenty of actuaries actively posting on LinkedIn about our profession, whether it’s updated regulations and their impact, software developments or de-risking strategies. I am not trying to be an influencer. I am not trying to master the algorithms to get more views. For me, LinkedIn has become almost like a journal of things I am willing to share publicly. My perspective on a current event. A proud moment. A personal struggle. A relatable experience. Commenting on a post has replaced the engagement of asking the person in the next office how their day is going, or what they did over the weekend.
Many people claim LinkedIn should be reserved for business matters only. But what does that even mean anymore? Although I don’t go to an office, in some ways I feel more connected to my team than ever before. All the adjustments we have made over the past two-plus years have, for the most part, revealed themselves in more grace, compassion, and empathy from everyone with whom I interact. Whether it’s my kid barging in on a Zoom meeting or the CEO’s dog barking incessantly during an all-employee call, everyone seems more flexible and understanding.
Go ahead and post on LinkedIn about your anniversary, or your kid’s birthday, or your most recent vacation. The rules for separating personal and professional have evolved. After all, who you are at home is who you are work.
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