Shulin Lee Calls Out ‘Cringe’ LinkedIn Tactics, Urges Authentic Authority Building

In a recent LinkedIn post, Shulin Lee offers a candid critique of common, often counterproductive, behaviors seen on the platform, arguing that many users mistake fleeting attention for genuine authority. Lee highlights seven specific tactics that can lead to being perceived as “cringe” by potential clients and collaborators.

The post begins with a direct challenge: “You’re embarrassing yourself on LinkedIn. And no one’s telling you.” Lee then proceeds to detail the pitfalls, starting with the “Business Class Flex,” where showcasing luxury travel is intended to impress but, according to Lee, often backfires. “Your clients aren’t thinking ‘I should hire them,'” Lee states, suggesting this approach misses the mark on demonstrating core business value.

“Dancing video + unrelated business lesson. Just… no. It’s cringe.”

Another behavior dissected is the “Dancing Expert,” a trend that combines personal performance with professional advice. Lee dismisses this as “cringe,” questioning its relevance to establishing credibility. The “Empowerment Hypocrite” is also called out, where stated values don’t align with actions, leading to a reputational disconnect. “Your offline reputation always catches up,” Lee warns.

The Perils of Performative Professionalism

Lee’s analysis extends to the “Award Collector,” who, by frequently announcing accolades, appears to be building a “trophy case” rather than a sustainable business. This focus on self-congratulation, as pointed out by Lee, can overshadow genuine business development.

Mistaking Visibility for Authority

The “Jargon Machine” and the “Motivational Parrot” are also identified as problematic. Lee argues that overly technical language alienates clients who need practical solutions, while generic motivational quotes yield “generic results.” The “Personal Diary” approach, sharing mundane daily details, is critiqued for lacking professional relevance unless it directly ties into a specific, demonstrable expertise.

“Visibility without strategy is just expensive noise.”

A unifying theme across these seven points, according to Lee, is the fundamental misunderstanding between seeking attention and building authority. “They mistake attention for authority. Engagement for trust. Likes for leads,” Lee writes. This distinction is crucial, as Lee emphasizes that true visibility should position individuals as the “obvious choice” and lead to genuine opportunities, rather than being mere “distractions.”

Crafting Authentic Visibility

Lee contrasts these ineffective strategies with a vision for “Real visibility,” which aims to make people “seek you out” and “converts into actual opportunities.” This approach focuses on building a solid reputation based on expertise and problem-solving capabilities, rather than relying on superficial tactics.

“Positions you as the obvious choice. → Makes people seek you out. → Converts into actual opportunities.”

The post concludes with a call to action, encouraging readers to reflect on which behaviors they find most “triggering” and to share the “reality check” with their networks. Lee also subtly promotes a program, Visible Pro™, aimed at helping individuals build authority, with a waitlist available.