In a recent LinkedIn post, Martina Kikic discusses the challenges of sharing personal values online and the importance of maintaining authenticity despite facing criticism. Kikic reveals that she recently received a significant number of negative direct messages after sharing her values, with some users even attempting to have her account reported. Despite this harsh feedback, Kikic emphasizes a principle of understanding and forgiveness towards those who react negatively, suggesting their actions stem from their own unawareness or internal struggles rather than personal animosity.
The Foundation of Personal Values in Professional Life
Kikic outlines a personal guide for navigating such interactions, focusing on core principles that she believes are essential for both personal integrity and professional growth. The first principle addresses how individuals react to negativity:
“People will be unreasonable, ruled by pride, fear, and their own design. Yet forgive them. Don’t let their design, which often they aren’t aware of, decide your light.”
This sentiment underscores Kikic’s belief in maintaining one’s own inner compass, regardless of external judgment. She advises against mirroring the negativity encountered, advocating instead for a response rooted in understanding and a refusal to be diminished by others’ reactions.
Upholding Honesty and Authenticity in Communication
A significant portion of Kikic’s post is dedicated to the value of honesty and the potential consequences of open communication in the digital space. She acknowledges that sharing truth can lead to misinterpretations or betrayal, yet she firmly advocates for its continued practice.
The Enduring Value of Truth
According to Kikic, honesty, while sometimes difficult, possesses a lasting quality that superficial tactics lack. She states:
“When you speak with honesty, people may twist your words, use your openness, or betray your trust. Yet be honest. Truth may be costly, but it does not rust.”
This highlights a core tenet of her philosophy: that genuine communication, even if met with adversity, holds an intrinsic and enduring value. Kikic further advises against tailoring content solely for algorithmic favor, urging creators to prioritize genuine connection with people over performance metrics.
Resilience in Building and Sharing
Kikic also touches upon the effort involved in building a professional presence and the vulnerability that comes with sharing one’s work. She notes the potential for years of effort to be undermined quickly by those acting out of ego.
“What takes you years to build may be damaged in one night by hands ruled by ego. Yet build. You cannot always measure how much you touch hearts.”
This perspective encourages persistence, even when faced with setbacks or harsh criticism. Kikic advocates for continuing to create and share, emphasizing that the impact of one’s work on others cannot always be quantified by immediate feedback or praise. She also encourages individuals to embrace self-promotion, countering the tendency to downplay achievements.
Embracing Your Best and Seeking Community
Finally, Kikic addresses the common experience of feeling that one’s best efforts are insufficient. She champions the act of consistently giving one’s best, regardless of external validation.
“You give your best, and still someone may tell you it was too little, too late, or not enough. Yet give your best. Love was never measured by the praise it won.”
This principle extends to encouraging individuals not to minimize their contributions or themselves. Kikic concludes by hinting at plans to launch a community focused on navigating these challenges, particularly in building executive presence on a foundation of resilience and authenticity. She invites engagement by asking about the possibility of free founding members.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Martina Kikic on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on August 4, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →