Five common mistakes work influencers need to avoid
Social media has transformed the way that businesses create a name for themselves, and its role in workplace culture continues to grow.
‘Work influencers’, who post content about their daily work life, hold significant sway in presenting their 9-to-5 experiences. However, while filming fun videos in the office and posting them on the internet is a fun way to break up the day, it comes with responsibility.
Understanding the potential pitfalls of sharing corporate content, particularly regarding company policies and privacy concerns, can help keep workplace influencers out of the HR office. As companies increasingly focus on maintaining their reputations online, influencers need to tread carefully.
Kasra Dash, a seasoned business consultant with over a decade of experience in corporate strategy, stresses the importance of mindful posting on social media platforms. Work influencers are in a unique position to shape public perception of their workplace. But with that power comes the responsibility to ensure their content aligns with company values, privacy expectations, and legal obligations.
With that in mind, here are five common mistakes work influencers need to avoid.
1) Violating confidentiality agreements
One of the most common mistakes work influencers make is inadvertently revealing sensitive information that falls under confidentiality agreements.
This can happen by filming a video with sensitive documents out in the open in the background or uploading a photo with product development details in view on a whiteboard. Sharing information like internal documents, product development details, or private conversations, even if it is unintentional, not only breaches trust, but can also result in legal consequences.
Even seemingly harmless content can contain confidential elements that could damage the company’s competitive edge or reputation.
2) Misrepresenting company culture
Influencers often aim to showcase the best parts of their workplace, but doing so without a balanced perspective can misrepresent the company culture.
When influencers over-glorify things like catered lunches while neglecting challenges like communication issues or everyday blunders, it can create unrealistic expectations for prospective employees or customers.
It’s important to be authentic. Influencers should try to provide a truthful portrayal that reflects both the highs and the challenges of their work environment, while still making the company look appealing as a whole.
3) Ignoring company policies on social media
Every company has specific social media policies, and failing to adhere to them can lead to disciplinary actions. Many influencers overlook these guidelines in their eagerness to share, which can reflect poorly on both the individual and the business.
Influencers must familiarise themselves with their employer’s policies from the get-go. Posting without awareness can inadvertently damage your professional credibility and leave you out of a job.
4) Neglecting to attribute sources
In the corporate world, ideas and insights are often shared in collaboration with others. Failing to give proper credit to teammates, departments, or external sources can come across as unethical and unprofessional.
Attribution isn’t just about following protocol, it’s about showing respect for the collaborative process. Acknowledging the contributions of others reinforces trust and strengthens workplace relationships.
5) Overstepping the boundaries between personal and professional life
While sharing work-related content is common, work influencers need to be mindful of maintaining a boundary between their personal and professional lives.
Posting personal opinions or after-hours activities that conflict with corporate values can blur the line and potentially damage the reputation of the company. For example, if a work influencer uploaded politically charged or controversial content on the same account after-hours, this could negatively reflect on their employer’s image or brand.
Once you post it, it’s out there for everyone to see. Be mindful of what you share and how it aligns with your professional identity.
Work influencers need to safeguard their careers and their employers’s reputations
With social media having such a large influence in the corporate landscape, work influencers need to be vigilant in safeguarding both their careers and the reputations of their employers. Following company policies, respecting confidentiality, and maintaining a balanced portrayal of the workplace are all important when trying to foster a positive and professional online presence.
Although posting online is one of the best ways to get attention for your company these days, approaching it with an awareness of everything you post will help maintain and grow your company’s reputation.
Kasra Dash is a business consultant, digital marketing influencer, entrepreneur and investor. Starting off as a web developer and honing his skills in SEO and digital marketing, he’s renowned for his expertise in digital marketing and building assets including websites, agencies and SAAS products.
