Most leaders waste time on LinkedIn: Here’s how to fix it
The leaders who win on LinkedIn are not the loudest. They are the most intentional. Here's why most leaders fail on LinkedIn and how to fix it.
Let me be brutally honest.
Most leaders are completely wasting their time on LinkedIn.
Liking posts. Sharing articles. Posting stats.
It’s all noise. And none of it builds real influence.
Here’s the harsh truth:
Data doesn’t inspire.
Your title doesn’t build trust.
Authority means nothing without connection.
I have seen it repeatedly: CEOs, founders, and directors mindlessly scroll, drop generic comments, or repost industry news, thinking they are “active.”
That’s not leadership.
That’s lurking.
In today’s content economy, you're irrelevant if you’re not shaping conversations.
The leadership illusion on LinkedIn
Many executives treat LinkedIn like a digital résumé or a PR platform to broadcast wins. They rely on their job titles to command respect.
But here’s the truth: No one cares about your title.
People want leaders they can trust, not leaders who look impressive.
Posting quarterly revenue growth or a glossy press release won’t spark a connection. It doesn’t make you relatable or memorable.
Connection comes from storytelling.
Storytelling makes you human. It gives people a reason to care.
So why are leaders still hiding behind data and corporate jargon?
Because it’s safer.
It’s easier to post a Harvard Business Review article than to talk about when you failed, learned, and grew.
It’s more comfortable to share market trends than to share your journey.
But comfort zones don’t build influence.
The invisible ROI of storytelling
Here’s the real problem: Most leaders think in transactions, not transformation.
They measure success by likes, views, and clicks.
But storytelling operates on a different scale. It creates a shift in belief.
Think about the leaders you respect most. Why do you trust them?
It’s not because they spammed you with stats.
It’s because they shared experiences, failures, and hard-won lessons.
They made you feel something.
That’s influence.
Here’s how storytelling creates invisible ROI:
Trust: Sharing personal insights shows vulnerability. Vulnerability builds trust.
Connection: People connect with stories, not strategies.
Influence: When you shift beliefs, you shape decisions.
How to spend 1 Hour on LinkedIn for real impact
Let me give you a framework.
If you’re a CEO, Founder, or Director, here’s how to spend 1 HOUR on LinkedIn and lead.
10 MIN – CONNECT
Reach out to 3–5 industry peers or thought leaders. Be intentional. Don’t just send a connection request. Start a conversation.
Respond thoughtfully to direct messages. Please don’t ignore them. Relationships start in the inbox.
Why this matters: Leadership is about relationships, not reach.
20 min – CREATE
5 min: Identify a leadership challenge or insight from your week. Something real. Something human.
5 min: Find a compelling image on Unsplash or design a simple visual on Canva. Don’t overthink it.
10 min: Write a brief story using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) or Hero’s Journey framework.
Why this matters: Stories stick. Data doesn’t. Stories position you as relatable and memorable.
30 min – ENGAGE
15 min: Thoughtfully comment on leadership or storytelling posts from influencers in your industry. Add value, don’t just agree.
15 min: Respond to every meaningful comment on your post to foster honest discussion.
Why this matters: Influence isn’t built by broadcasting but by engaging.
The storytelling framework leaders need
Still not sure how to craft a story that resonates?
Here’s a sneak peek at the storytelling framework I explain in my free eBook, “The Ultimate Storytelling Blueprint for Leaders.”
1. The relatable hook
Start with a moment your audience understands.
“Six months ago, I almost walked away from my business…”
2. The conflict
Show the challenge or struggle.
“I was stuck in a cycle of burnout and uncertainty, questioning if I had what it took.”
3. The turning point
What did you learn? How did you overcome it?
“Then I realised I was focused on the wrong things—vanity metrics over real impact.”
4. The lesson
Deliver a takeaway they can apply.
“Leadership isn’t about being visible. It’s about being valuable. Here’s how I fixed it…”
5. The call to action
Invite them to engage.
“If this resonates, comment ‘Storytelling’ and I’ll send you my free eBook.”
Why most leaders will ignore this (but you shouldn’t)
Let me be blunt.
Most leaders will read this and scroll on.
They’ll go back to posting safe, predictable content that gets a handful of likes.
But who will win in this content economy?
The ones who dare to lead with the story.
Because leadership isn’t about visibility.
It’s about impact.
Ready to lead with storytelling?
If you’re tired of blending in on LinkedIn and ready to build real influence, I’m offering a FREE strategy call to help you craft stories that connect and convert.
Comment “STORY” below, and I’ll send you a link to book your free session.