the linkedin problem
linkedin is a paradox. a professional network where everyone claims to value "authenticity" while posting the most sanitized, corporate-speak content imaginable.
the result: a sea of sameness where every post sounds like it was written by the same HR-approved ai.
this is your opportunity.
why hot takes work on linkedin
the algorithm rewards engagement. engagement comes from emotion. emotion comes from... not agreeing with everyone all the time.
when everyone is saying the same thing, the contrarian stands out. not because being contrarian is good, but because having an actual perspective is rare.
the rules of linkedin hot takes
rule 1: attack ideas, not people
bad: "gary vee is a fraud" good: "the 'hustle culture' gary vee popularized has done more damage to work-life balance than any CEO"
the first is a personal attack. the second is a critique of ideas. the first makes enemies. the second starts conversations.
rule 2: have receipts
don't just have opinions—have reasoning. the hot take gets attention. the reasoning earns respect.
weak: "remote work is better than office work" strong: "remote work is better than office work, and here's the data: [specific evidence]. the real question is why so many leaders ignore this."
rule 3: be punching up, not down
criticizing:
- CEOs ✓
- systems ✓
- popular ideas ✓
- junior employees ✗
- people with less power than you ✗
the direction of your criticism signals your character.
rule 4: leave room for nuance
the hottest takes leave space for "it depends." absolute statements invite absolute rejection.
too absolute: "meetings are always a waste of time" better: "most meetings are a waste of time, and the exceptions prove how rare good meetings are"
rule 5: be ready to defend
don't post hot takes you can't back up. if you go spicy, be prepared for the comments. have your arguments ready.
templates that work
the "actually, no"
start with a common belief. disagree. explain why.
everyone says you need a mentor to succeed.
actually, no.
what you need is someone who will tell you the truth. that's not the same as a mentor. most mentors tell you what worked for them. truth-tellers tell you what they see in you—including what's broken.
the reframe
take a common piece of advice. show why the opposite is true.
"never burn bridges."
actually, some bridges need burning. staying connected to toxic people, bad opportunities, and relationships that drain you isn't wisdom—it's fear disguised as professionalism.
the best moves of my career came from bridges i wasn't afraid to burn.
the observation
point out something everyone experiences but nobody talks about.
nobody talks about linkedin anxiety.
you know what i mean. seeing people your age with better titles. posts with thousands of likes while yours gets 12. the constant performance of success.
it's not real. but it feels real. and that feeling has consequences.
what to avoid
the humble brag
"i didn't think posting my authentic thoughts would lead to 50,000 followers, but here we are"
the faux-controversy
"unpopular opinion: being nice to people is good" (that's not unpopular)
the controversy bait
posts designed to generate outrage rather than insight
the backpedal
going hot, then editing or deleting when people push back
the risk calculus
before posting, ask:
- could this cost me a job?
- could this cost me a client?
- could this cost me a relationship i value?
if yes, is the point important enough to be worth it?
sometimes it is. having opinions means sometimes those opinions have costs. the question is whether you're paying those costs for something meaningful.
building the hot take habit
start small. one mildly spicy post per week. see how it feels. see how people respond.
as you build an audience that follows you for your perspective, you earn the right to go hotter.
the goal isn't to be controversial. the goal is to be honest. controversy is just what happens when honesty meets a platform full of people being fake.