All the posts say, “be more strategic.”

That’s it.

Also, align with the business.

Add value.

Think commercially.

Focus on outcomes.

Build capability.

Measure impact.

Tell a better story.

Bring stakeholders on the journey.

Sorted.

The problem with a lot of professional guidance is not that it is wrong. That would be easier. The problem is that it is true in a completely useless way.

Yes, we should focus on outcomes.

Yes, we should understand the business.

Yes, we should engage stakeholders.

Yes, we should not spend three months building a learning pathway nobody asked for and nobody uses.

But none of that tells anyone what to do at 10.07 on a Tuesday when a senior manager has already decided the answer is a workshop, the data is missing, the budget is £4.50, and the “stakeholders” mainly disagree with each other.

So let’s change the way we ‘help’ people with our LinkedIn posts.

First, don’t be afraid to say what they need to do and have permission to do. Nothing spectacular, but the simple change that will make a difference.

Second, say when it won’t work. There are very few silver bullets in our industry, so don’t overpromise what might change and the effects it will create.

Third, include the awkward bit everyone normally edits out. The stuff that will go wrong and will make people feel they’re doing the wrong thing.

That’s it.

All you need to do is make guidance useful.

Simple.