Why do so many employers ask employees to post on LinkedIn — without offering anything in return?
An employee’s post is always a win for the company: visibility, credibility, free social proof.
But authenticity is only welcome within safe lines. Criticism isn’t. Nuance rarely is.
That tension matters.
Visibility is requested, yet rarely recognized as value.
Let alone rewarded.
Maybe it’s time to be more honest about expectations.
And more consistent about reciprocity.
Because branding without balance feels less like culture —
and more like one-way traffic.
Originally published 5 February 2026 on LinkedIn. Follow Eric Stijnman on LinkedIn for more sales coaching and leadership insights