I read a post on Father’s Day from someone I follow and admire, who shared a picture of her father with the headline, “Since LinkedIn is Facebook now.”

And it struck me that, in a way, she’s right. LinkedIn has become a bit like Facebook.

Here’s my question: is that a bad thing?

We got to this place because people have been sharing their personal stories and journeys, and these messages have resonated profoundly with others. What are the posts that typically get the most likes and shares?

• Personal career tales that others can relate to
• Non-work stories with meaning
• Inspirational life stories
• Videos that are interesting or funny  

While Facebook was always about personal stories, thoughts, ideas, and beliefs, LinkedIn was considered “the professional social channel.” Since it’s inception, it’s been the more starched, formal, business-focused site.

Until people got personal. And started sharing beyond work. Beyond masks. Beyond presentation.

These non-professional posts and videos mean something to us because, in the end, we’re all human beings. Yes, we have our professional personas, and we used to hide behind what was appropriate or what we thought people would accept. We used to care about being judged, so we were careful in our wording and our topical choices. (Some of us still are….)

But LinkedIn has change. Posts now range from professional and selling to personal and inspiring. And I still wonder out loud – is that a bad thing?

We work so hard to be and present as the ‘right person’ at work. We know it’s important. And it’s exhausting in so many ways.

Think about the person who’s pounding the keyboard looking for their next gig, or full-time position on LinkedIn. Their search and work is relentless. Of course they need a break.

And while I still feel that some posts might be more appropriate elsewhere (Facebook, Instagram, or Reddit, for example), I also enjoy those personal or inspirational posts. I read them. I share them. They brighten my day and my feed.

So I guess I’ll answer my own question. Is it a bad thing that LinkedIn has become Facebook? Yes and no.

Yes, because I don’t want LinkedIn to slide down that slippery slope of becoming a toxic place, where people argue and exhibit bad behaviors. I still want to find interesting “work related” information here. And I want to continue to make great connections with other professionals. So I hope it doesn’t go that route.

And no, it’s not all bad, because I’m one of those people who reads, likes, and shares those posts! They add that splash of humanity we all need to be reminded of during our workday.   

What about you? Do you believe that LinkedIn has become Facebook? And – is that a bad thing?