How to balance being authentic and vulnerable while still appearing professional online
One of the most common questions I hear on calls with founders is:
“How do I balance being authentic and vulnerable while still appearing professional online?”
It’s a million-dollar question, huh!
Why though?
Well, I think it’s because the answer impacts how others perceive us, whether they trust us, and ultimately whether they choose to work with (and pay) us or not.
So let’s unpack it.
When someone asks this question, I personally think it stems from three key beliefs or fears:
Fear of judgment or rejection.
“If I reveal a mistake or failure, people might think I’m therefore not good at what I do. They might not trust me or want to invest in me.” This fear is natural, but it’s worth exploring deeper, perhaps even in therapy or coaching, to understand why perfection feels like the only safe optionFear of appearing cringey or unprofessional.
We’ve all seen posts that overshare or cross a line. Whether it’s overly personal details or content that feels out of place, it’s easy to think, “Well now I’d never hire that person.” This fear can make us hesitant to share anything remotely vulnerable.Outdated perceptions of professionalism.
Many of us grew up with a rigid idea of what it means to be “professional.” But what’s considered professional today is more nuanced and human than it was even five years ago. Understanding your personal definition of professionalism and how it aligns with your audience’s expectations is definitely key.
Authenticity Does Matter
In an increasingly automated & robot world, we crave human connection.
On LinkedIn, this means showing a glimpse of your real self.
Here’s why:
Stories build connection. Your stories reveal your values, personality, and humanity. They help people see who you are beyond your title.
Vulnerability builds trust. Knowing you’ve faced challenges and come out stronger shows resilience, which builds credibility.
Shared experiences create relatability. People are more likely to engage with and trust someone who understands their struggles - it makes you more approachable.
But there is a skill to this.
The key is balancing vulnerability with professionalism in a way that feels genuine to you and purposeful.
My 3 Best Tips for Balancing Vulnerability and Professionalism
Own Your Story
Before sharing anything vulnerable, ask yourself: “Have I fully processed this experience?”
If you still feel shame, resentment, or victimhood, it’s probably too soon to share. When you’ve reached a place of confidence and acceptance, your story will come across as empowering, not heavy.
Think about it this way: People can sense when someone is still going through something vs. when they’ve made it to the other side. At least I can. There's a note & tone it hits when someone is fully owning what happened to them. So share from a place of strength, not raw emotion.
2. Check Your Motive
Genuinely ask yourself: “Why am I sharing this?”
If your goal is to seek validation or prove something about yourself, pause. Use therapy, coaching, or journaling for that, not LinkedIn.
If your goal is to share a lesson, inspire others, or show how you’ve grown, go for it. When your motive is to add value, not be accepted, your content will resonate.
Example: Sharing a failure is powerful when paired with the lessons learned, how your character changed, and how you show up differently as a result.
3. Balance Vulnerability with Competency
Vulnerability is only one piece of the puzzle. To build trust and credibility, you also need to demonstrate your expertise.
Share how you’ve helped clients, achieved results, or honed your skills.
Show your audience that while you’re human and have faced challenges, you’re also incredibly good at what you do.
It’s this combination, authenticity and competency, that makes people trust and want to work with you.
What to Avoid
While vulnerability is valuable, some things are better left unsaid.
Oversharing personal details.
Not every part of your life needs to be for public consumption. Some stories are best kept private or shared in close, trusted circles.Content requiring a trigger warning.
If your story involves topics that might be triggering, it’s worth reconsidering whether LinkedIn is the right platform for it.
I saw a handful of posts last year that felt genuinely inappropriate for LinkedIn (and coming from someone who’s done a ton of therapy and self work and considers themselves very open minded, that’s saying a lot).
While I respect & value self-expression and truly would never want to shame someone, certain topics (for example sex work and debating whether or not to commit suicide) really, in my opinion, are better suited for other contexts or professional help.
Why I Love LinkedIn’s Compartmentalized Nature
One thing I appreciate about LinkedIn is its balance. It allows us to share our human side without feeling like we need to bare our entire souls.
For me, LinkedIn has been a place to showcase my work and skills, share lessons, and connect with others meaningfully, without needing to acknowledge every personal challenge or loss I’ve faced.
That compartmentalization feels healthy and intentional.
But with that, at the end of the day, balancing authenticity and professionalism is always going to be a bit subjective. You might even disagree with how I've presented my opinion on this!
It’s ultimately about finding what feels right for you and aligns with your audience.
So I’ll leave you with a question to consider as you start off the year working on curating your own authentic stories:
What makes you trust someone through their content?
Thanks for reading! Learn more about Molly’s LinkedIn services, courses, and programs here.