When did I become a lemming?

This past week has been a blur of travel, events, and more time on trains than I care to count.

Wednesday, I was in Bristol speaking at a MAVERRIK Sales Navigator workshop, followed by a full LinkedIn workshop in the afternoon.

We had some brilliant conversations about leveraging LinkedIn for real results, and it struck me - here I am, giving advice on how to use the platform authentically, yet still getting sucked into the same algorithm-driven mindset I warn others about.

It’s like I’m fighting this internal battle between knowing what I should do and getting dragged back into what I think the algorithm wants.

You put out something you believe in, and when it doesn’t perform, it hits you right in the ego.

And it’s a game we’re all playing - posting for the algorithm, tweaking our voice to fit what “works” rather than focusing on what’s real for us.

Thursday, I spent a full day in London working with a global retail media agency on their content strategy.

We were brainstorming, mapping out ideas, and it felt like we were making real progress.

Later that same day, I hosted a webinar with Trueleads on accelerating demand gen with LinkedIn.

Great turnout. Engaged audience.

But what do I find myself doing on the train ride home?

Scrolling through my feed, checking if my last post got any traction - as if the number of likes or comments actually determines whether what I’m saying is valuable.

After nearly ten years of doing this, I should know better, right?

When did we start paying it so safe?

I’m seeing it everywhere.

The same recycled platitudes.

The generic “feel good” posts about toxic workplaces.

The never-ending stream of basic motivational quotes.

All designed to get that little engagement hit - that rush of dopamine when the comments and likes start rolling in.

And I get it, I really do.

Those numbers feel good in the moment.

But honestly, are we really saying anything?

I can’t help but think we’ve turned into a bunch of social media lemmings.

Following whatever trend the algorithm throws at us. Jumping on bandwagons without ever stopping to ask, “Is this actually what I want to say?”

Every time we do this, we give up a little piece of our voice to fit into someone else’s box.

Conformity dressed up as content.

And I’m not sitting here on my high horse pretending I’m above it all.

I’ve done it too.

There’ve been times I’ve held back on saying what I really thought - worried it wouldn’t land or that it would be too polarising. I’ve softened my words to keep things “nice” or toned down my opinions to keep it “safe.”

And those are the posts I regret the most.

Not because they didn’t perform, but because they didn’t sound like me.

Time to be bolder.

The more I think about it, the more I realise we just need to stop giving a damn about what performs.

We need to be bolder - to share what’s actually on our minds, even if it’s not the kind of content that’s guaranteed to go viral.

Maybe that means putting out stuff that ruffles a few feathers.

Sharing opinions that aren’t always agreeable.

Talking about things that actually matter rather than chasing those superficial hits of engagement.

Because, let’s face it, what’s the point in building an audience if it’s just built on fluff?

What good is it to have thousands of people “liking” what you say if you’re not saying anything real?

This past week has been a bit of a reality check.

With all the speaking, training, and prepping for the seven workshops I’m about to run across the US, I’ve realised I’m not satisfied with just “performing” well on social media.

I want to make an impact.

I want my content to be something I can look back on and think, “Yes, that’s exactly what I wanted to say” - even if it doesn’t get hundreds of likes.

So, here’s what I’m committing to:

Less focus on what “works” and more focus on what’s true to me.

If it resonates, great.

If it doesn’t, so what?

Because at the end of the day, the people who stick around for the real stuff are the ones who matter.

They’re the ones who see past the numbers and value what you actually bring to the table.

No longer a slave to an Algo.

So, if you’re feeling stuck in that same rut - playing it safe, saying what you think you should say - let’s make a pact.

Let’s stop caring so much about what the numbers tell us and start focusing on what our gut tells us.

Let’s put out content that’s a reflection of us, not a reflection of what’s trending.

If you’ve got an opinion that goes against the grain, share it.

If you’ve got an idea that might not go viral, post it anyway.

If your post doesn’t “perform,” so what?

The people who need to hear it will find it.

Because, honestly, I’m tired of being a lemming.

Aren’t you?