5 Things That Quietly Hurt Your Leadership Brand on LinkedIn

What does your LinkedIn say about you?

If it only shows your title and timeline, it’s not telling the whole story — and your leadership brand is losing visibility.

Most leaders don’t damage their leadership brand loudly.
It happens quietly — through small things that go unnoticed but leave a lasting impression. 

Here are 5 things that could be hurting your leadership brand on LinkedIn (and how to fix them): 

• A Headline That Says Nothing

Your LinkedIn headline is the first thing people see.
If it only says “CEO | Founder | Leader” — it doesn’t say much. 

Your headline should give people a quick sense of what you do and what you care about.
Make it clear, intentional, and reflective of your leadership identity. 

Instead of: CEO at XYZ

Try: CEO at XYZ | Building customer-first digital products | Leading with empathy and action 

• A Profile That’s Gone Silent

If your feed has no posts, no likes, no comments — it looks like you’ve stepped away. 

People want to hear from leaders. You don’t need to post every day — just show up consistently. 

• An ‘About’ Section with Zero Personality

Your “About” section isn’t just for listing skills. It’s your chance to talk like a human. 

If it’s full of buzzwords, overly formal, or sounds like it was pulled from a resume — it won’t connect. 

Keep it simple. Talk about what drives you. What problems you like solving. What leadership means to you. 

• No Clear Point of View

Leaders don’t just share updates. They share perspectives. 

If your posts are only resharing company news or quoting others, it’s hard to know what you think.
Your audience wants to hear your take — on trends, leadership, mistakes, wins, and lessons. 

Your voice is your edge. Use it. 

• Inconsistency

The occasional post every few months won’t build your brand.
People follow leaders who show up regularly — not just during campaign seasons or big wins. 

You don’t have to post all the time. Just post with intention and rhythm. 

Leadership branding is about presence — not perfection. 

Final Thoughts 

At etch, we help leaders show up with more clarity, consistency, and authenticity.
Because the right people are already looking — the question is: what will they find? 

Storyteller