Lee McCabe Critiques ‘Formulaic Authenticity’ on LinkedIn

In a recent LinkedIn post, Lee McCabe offers a sharp critique of the prevailing trends in “thought leadership” on the platform, arguing that what is often presented as authentic personal branding has become a predictable and formulaic genre. McCabe contends that the pursuit of virality and algorithmic favor has led to a homogenization of content, where genuine originality is often sidelined.

McCabe highlights the instantly recognizable structure of many popular LinkedIn posts:

“Short paragraphs. A contrarian opening line. A story about failure that somehow ends in market leadership. A humble brag dressed up as a lesson. A mildly traumatic career moment repackaged as ‘what it taught me about resilience.'”

The post suggests that this adherence to a template, while intended to convey authenticity, paradoxically results in content that sounds identical. McCabe observes that the emphasis on specific formatting and a curated display of vulnerability has created a performative sincerity that is easily mimicked.

The Illusion of Originality

According to McCabe, the platform’s algorithms, which are often perceived as rewarding authenticity, actually favor recognizable formats. This leads to a situation where individuals adopt a specific style to gain traction, rather than expressing a unique perspective.

“The platform says it rewards authenticity. What it actually rewards is recognisable formatting with just enough personality to feel safe.”

Lee McCabe further elaborates on this point, suggesting that the pressure to conform to these successful templates stifles genuine innovation. He notes that content that deviates from the established norms, while potentially more original, often underperforms initially because it doesn’t immediately fit the expected mold of a LinkedIn post.

Community Theatre for Professionals

McCabe uses the term “community theatre for adults with job titles” to describe the current landscape of LinkedIn thought leadership. He argues that many users are not driven by a desire to share a unique truth but rather to emulate the style that the algorithm has already validated.

“Most people are not writing to say something true. They are writing to sound like something the algorithm has already blessed.”

This approach, while effective for personal branding and gaining visibility, is characterized by McCabe as a “formula” rather than genuine expression. He concludes that many individuals believe they have discovered their authentic voice on the platform, when in reality, they have simply adopted a popular and safe persona.