LinkedIn Tips for Operational Leaders

"Make yourself findable"...this is advice that I give to candidates, SES's, generals, executives, and even teenagers. Companies are dying to find you, but they just don't know that you exist. They hire Precision Talent Solutions to find you. Like it or not, LinkedIn is the place where professionals go to look for jobs, look for candidates, and to share/consume content. If you are in career transition, it is more important than ever to be thoughtfully active on LInkedIn. Valuable tips: LinkedIn Algorithm Updates (2025) - Relevance Over Virality: The algorithm now favors niche, expert content over viral posts. Generic or off-topic posts hurt visibility. - Connections First: Posts from your own network are prioritized. A targeted, engaged network boosts reach. - Expertise Signals: LinkedIn evaluates who is posting (based on profile) as much as what is posted. - Ranking Factors: Content is ranked by Relevance, Expertise, and Engagement (especially meaningful comments). - Comments Matter Most: Posts with thoughtful, back-and-forth conversation (especially in the first hour) get a major visibility boost. - Spam Filters: Poor grammar, link-stuffing, excessive hashtags, and overposting are penalized. - Engagement Quality > Quantity: Comments from relevant peers beat lots of random likes. - Extended Reach: High-value posts can reach beyond your 1st-degree network if they gain strong engagement. 2. Content Format Trends - Carousels Still Strong: Multi-image or PDF “carousel” posts perform well, but only if value-packed. - Video & Live Streams: Native videos (not links) and especially LinkedIn Live posts drive the highest engagement. - Image Posts: Still effective—posts with a single strong visual get more attention and comments. - Newsletters: Now a top tool for reach—subscribers are notified every time you publish. Best for long-form, high-value content. - Polls & Interactive Posts: Still underused but powerful for engagement and visibility. - Hashtags/Tagging: Use 2–5 relevant hashtags. Over-tagging or irrelevant tags = spammy. - External Links: Posts with links are penalized. Better to add links later via post edit or use native formats. 3. Engagement Best Practices - Provide Niche Value: Focus on helpful, profession-specific insights, not generic content. - Hook Early: Start posts with a bold statement or question to capture attention. Encourage Dialogue: Ask questions, respond to comments, and spark discussion to improve reach. - Use Rich Media: Mix in carousels, videos, and images to keep your content fresh and engaging. - Go Live or Use Newsletters: These formats offer built-in boost via notifications and dwell time. - Avoid Spam Tactics: Don’t tag excessively, overuse hashtags, or post too frequently. - Grow an Engaged Network: Engage with others to strengthen your own visibility in the algorithm. - Be Consistent & Authentic: Regular, high-quality posting builds credibility and audience trust over time.

Most senior professionals don't realize this: Your LinkedIn headline is costing you opportunities. Not because it's bad. But because it's invisible to recruiters. Here's what's happening: Recruiters use keyword searches to find candidates. If your headline doesn't match what they're searching for, you don't show up. It doesn't matter how qualified you are. If you're not searchable, you're not findable. Here's how to fix it in 3 steps: Step 1: Stop using your current job title as your headline. Default headlines like "Senior Manager at Company X" tell recruiters where you are. Not what you do or who you help. Step 2: Use the keywords recruiters are actually searching. Think about the roles you want. What titles are they using in job posts? What skills are listed as "required"? Example keywords for a senior ops leader: Operations Strategy | Process Optimization | Cross-Functional Leadership | Supply Chain | Scaling Teams Step 3: Build your headline with this structure: [What you do] | [Key expertise areas] | [Who you help or industry focus] Example: "Operations Leader | Scaling Teams & Processes for High-Growth Companies | Supply Chain & Logistics Expert" This format: ✅ Uses searchable keywords ✅ Shows your value immediately ✅ Tells recruiters exactly what you bring Bonus tip: Go to 5 job posts for roles you want. Highlight the most repeated skills and responsibilities. Those are your keywords. Your headline has 220 characters. Use them strategically. Because the best resume in the world means nothing if recruiters can't find your profile in the first place. Save this post. It’ll come in handy when you decide to update your profile.

A CFO came to me with one question: “Why isn’t LinkedIn bringing me opportunities?” I didn’t need more than 10 seconds to see why. Their profile read like a basic career chronology: past-focused, dense, full of jargon. It didn’t give anyone a reason to reach out today. Don’t approach LinkedIn as just a ‘resume-like’ database. Look at it more like a giant search engine. If you want it to bring you opportunities, your profile must be built for search, connection, and positioning. Start with these 4 checks: 1.     Headline: Does it project your next move, not just your current job title? Most executives leave their headline as “CFO at XYZ Corp.”, which doesn’t help them in searches. Instead, use a value-driven headline with appropriate keywords: Chief Financial Officer | Fortune 100 | $50B P&L Oversight | Drove 18% EBITDA Growth and $4B Free Cash Flow | Global M&A, Capital Markets, Digital Finance Transformation This makes you keyword-rich for search and gives readers a reason to click. 2.     About Section: Does it read like a compelling conversation starter, or like a dull corporate bio? The best About sections: * Lead with a hook that makes people want to read more. * Share the kind of leadership problems you solve. * Spotlight strong impacts and results. * Close with a clear invitation to connect. 3.     Top 5 Skills: These should never be random; instead, they should be strategically selected and aligned with the skills that your future employers are looking for. Choose keywords that match your target roles (e.g., “Mergers & Acquisitions,” “Financial Strategy,” “Organizational Transformation”). 4.     Experience Section: Are your results front and center? Are you providing enough context to appease and interest a reader? Replace generic “responsible for” statements with quantified impact: “Delivered $120M in cost savings through operational restructuring”. People scan profiles, and numbers and specifics stop the scroll. When you treat your LinkedIn profile as an active marketing asset, it begins generating warm leads even when you’re not online. A strong profile isn’t just a biography. It’s your 24/7 business development tool. 🔁 Share this to help someone who is due for a LinkedIn refresh. #LinkedIn #Jobsearch #ExecutiveSearch

At GrowedIn, we’ve worked with over 70 executives to build thought leadership on LinkedIn. After countless posts, profile revamps, and strategy sessions, here is what has really moved the needle: 1/ People Crave Real Talk It is not about being polished to perfection. The best-performing posts usually come from leaders who are not afraid to share their mistakes, doubts, and lessons learned. Vulnerability shows your humanity and that is what people connect with. 2/ Consistency Beats Occasional Brilliance You can have a jaw-dropping post once in a blue moon, but if you disappear for weeks afterward, the momentum fades fast. Posting regularly (even if it is short and sweet) keeps your audience engaged and solidifies your reputation. 3/ Have a Point of View, Not Just a Title Being an executive is great, but it is not enough to stand out. It is your unique insights and your angles on industry trends, leadership, and innovation that spark conversations. When you say something bold (and back it up), people notice. 4/ Empathy is Underrated People want to feel seen and understood. Sharing how you have navigated tough decisions or supported your team fosters a human connection. If your posts show you genuinely get what others are going through, they will keep coming back. 5/ Dialogue Over Monologue Thought leadership is not just broadcasting your thoughts. It is inviting feedback. Ask questions. Respond to comments. Show you value the perspectives of others. When your audience feels heard, they will champion you in return. 6/ Pivot When Needed Industries evolve, markets shift, and your own views change over time. Do not be afraid to refine your messaging. Consistent growth means staying open to new ideas and being quick to share them. What's your biggest insight around LinkedIn personal branding?

When working on a LinkedIn profile for a CXO, I often emphasize one critical principle: it's not about listing every single detail of your responsibilities. Instead, it’s about weaving together your persona, purpose, and audience into a cohesive narrative that positions you as a strategic leader. Recently, working with a CTO who, at a remarkably young age, had already climbed the ladder to a CXO position. His journey was rapid, and the evolution of his professional image struggled to keep pace. In conversations with him, one challenge stood out: how do you project a leadership identity that resonates with your audience while staying true to your authentic self? For senior leaders like him, less is often more. It’s not about overloading the profile with granular, execution-level details that dilute the essence of strategic oversight. Instead, the focus should shift to showcasing: Leadership and Vision: How do you shape the future of your organization and inspire others to follow? Innovation: What unique value do you bring as a change-maker in your industry? Impact: How are your initiatives driving measurable results for your business and clients? For example, here a CTO isn’t just a technical expert; they’re a visionary leader who drives innovation and aligns technology with business strategy. While technical keywords matter for SEO, overemphasizing them risks overshadowing the bigger picture. Instead, the narrative should highlight how you lead teams, implement forward-thinking strategies, and deliver impactful solutions. Another important lens is stepping into your target audience’s shoes. If you aim to engage with industry leaders, directors, or CEOs, consider how they perceive value. They’re not looking for the minutiae of day-to-day operations; they want to see your ability to deliver high-level results, foster growth, and create value across the board. This brings us back to an essential question: What distinguishes a senior leader’s profile from a generic professional profile? It’s the intentional focus on leadership, innovation, and impact, combined with a clear understanding of how your persona aligns with your purpose and resonates with your audience. Does this perspective resonate with you? How do you see your leadership story shaping your professional narrative on LinkedIn? #thoughtleadership #personalbranding #leadership

If you’re starting the year with a goal to spend more time on LinkedIn to build your professional brand, and raise your visibility and credibility, here are a few things I’d focus on first to put a strong strategy in place. Whether your goal is growth inside your current organization or visibility beyond it, clarity and consistency matter far more than volume. 1. Get crystal clear on what you’re trying to communicate. If you’re talking about 10 different topics or trying to demonstrate expertise in too many areas at once, you’ll end up creating noise instead of clarity. I recommend focusing on 3–5 core themes that clearly reflect your expertise and the value you bring. When people know what you stand for, they know why to follow you. 2. Be realistic about your bandwidth and capacity. Consistency beats intensity every time. Posting twice a month consistently is a far stronger strategy than posting twice a week for one month and burning out by the end of January. Think honestly about the time you can commit and if LinkedIn is a priority but your bandwidth is limited, consider what support might help you stay consistent. 3. Commit to engaging, not just posting. One of the most effective (and often overlooked) ways to grow on LinkedIn is by engaging with others. Liking, commenting, and thoughtfully interacting with other people’s content builds real relationships, expands reach, and creates sustainable engagement over time. LinkedIn doesn’t require perfection it requires intention. A clear message, a realistic plan, and consistent engagement go a long way. Fellow LinkedIn strategists, what other tips would you recommend?

𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝟓 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝𝐈𝐧 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 LinkedIn is one of the most powerful tools senior executives have to build visibility, attract recruiter attention and open doors to new opportunities. But many still struggle to use it effectively. Over the years working with executives, I’ve noticed five common mistakes that hold people back from truly leveraging LinkedIn’s potential. 1. Using vague or fluffy headlines Headlines like “Passionate leader” or “Experienced professional” might sound impressive but they do not help you show up in recruiter searches. Recruiters type in clear job titles and specific keywords. Your headline needs to include the exact roles and key skills you want to be found for. 2. Neglecting profile optimisation An incomplete or generic profile that lacks relevant keywords and detailed accomplishments will be invisible to recruiters. Your summary and experience sections should clearly reflect your expertise, industry, and achievements with language recruiters use. 3. Ignoring LinkedIn activity Posting infrequently or not engaging with others’ content means fewer people see your name. Regular posting, commenting and sharing relevant insights builds your personal brand and keeps you top of mind in your network. 4. Sending generic connection requests A simple “Let’s connect” without personalisation often gets ignored. Taking a moment to add a meaningful note explaining why you want to connect dramatically increases acceptance and starts a conversation. 5. Not showcasing measurable achievements Listing responsibilities alone does not demonstrate impact. Executives must highlight measurable results — revenue growth, cost savings, team development — to show their true value and leadership capability. Fixing these mistakes requires intentional focus but can transform your LinkedIn presence. You’ll see more profile views from relevant recruiters, better quality connections, and more inbound opportunities. If you’re frustrated by a lack of traction on LinkedIn, start by reviewing these five areas and make small, strategic improvements. Your career growth depends on being visible in the right way to the right people.

Two years ago I started posting on LinkedIn every weekday. Today at least 50% of new leads come inbound, and 35% outbound via my (and other leaders) accounts. Often prospects that meet us at events or through our marketing efforts tell us they enjoyed the content we created, and we have a great deal of success at events doing something different based on the content we put out. Here’s how I think about it. 👇 1. Know your Audience. At Sardine we think about “operator level depth” in everything we do. What would a Head of Fraud, Chief Risk Officer or CTO think of this post? 2. Provide value to your ICP. Simon calls this “give me something I can use.” It’s fine to describe an issue, but it’s much better to give some thoughts about how to solve it. 3. Use experience. Draw on your real world experience, insights and depth. I’ve worked in cybersecurity, fraud and compliance at companies like Narus (acquired by Boeing), Yelp, Coinbase and Revolut, and now I’m the CEO and Founder of a growth company. All of these experiences shape my social posting. 4. Share experience. The criminals have no issue sharing how they work, it’s our duty to do the same! 5. Build the audience online and meet offline. We meet folks from LinkedIn at events and we run a dinner series called Fraud Squad 🐟. This builds on a Risk Salon which was a dinner and event series I co-founded as an operator in fraud and compliance jobs in the past. 6. Be consistent. I’ve posted almost every week day for the past two years (except for holidays and some PTO or travel). Over time that snowballs. Not everyone will see everything, but someone might see this one thing and find it helpful. There’s no secret sauce, and we can all get better. Feedback is a gift after all. 🎁 What would you like my views on? What would you like us to post about? #founder #ceo #marketing

Most B2B founders fail on LinkedIn because of bad positioning. Enterprise founders excel at strategy, leadership, and growth. But LinkedIn success demands a different kind of expertise (one that’s rooted in visibility and relevance). Here’s why most founders struggle to stand out: 1. They talk like their LinkedIn audience is a boardroom. High-level corporate messaging feels polished but forgettable. Decision-makers on LinkedIn don’t need “synergies” or “innovative solutions”—they need clarity. Instead of: “We deliver end-to-end digital transformation solutions” Say: “We reduced IT spend by 35% for a Fortune 500 company through targeted automation.” Plain language isn’t dumbing it down, but it’s sharpening your message to cut through the noise. 2. They position themselves behind their company. Enterprise founders often lean on their company’s brand. But on LinkedIn, people follow people. Your audience wants to hear: - The leadership decisions that saved millions during a downturn. - The strategies you used to scale a business from $10M to $100M. Share stories and lessons only you can tell. That’s what builds trust and interest. 3. They focus on products, not outcomes. MProduct features don’t sell—business results do. Enterprise decision-makers want to know: - How will this impact my bottom line? - What ROI can I expect? Instead of listing capabilities, reframe your message: - “We increased churn reduction by 40% for SaaS companies with over $50M ARR.” - “Our solution delivered a $5M productivity boost in under 12 months.” Hard numbers backed by real results get attention. 4. They assume their reputation is enough. Your track record may speak volumes, but only if people know about it. Enterprise founders often fail to translate their offline credibility into a LinkedIn presence. Elevate your visibility by sharing: - Macro-level insights: How trends are reshaping your industry. - Practical advice: Solutions to common challenges your audience faces. - Your vision: Where your field is headed and how you’re leading the charge. Being visible means demonstrating value at scale. The founders who win here don’t wait for people to find them. They step forward, take ownership, and deliver what their audience didn’t realize they needed. What’s your LinkedIn strategy?