In the second episode of “Man vs AI,” Brian and Lex Dynamo (ChatGPT) dive into the contrasting worlds of LinkedIn and Reddit, particularly focusing on the ‘linkedinlunatics’ subreddit. They discuss the war on professional authenticity and what it means for individual branding. Additionally, they examine the balance between work and life in the modern age, and share personal anecdotes about making a new rescue dog feel at home. Laced with humor and spontaneous insights, the episode offers a comprehensive look at the tensions and harmonies between man and machine, professional and personal lives, and the choices we make to navigate them. A must-listen for anyone grappling with the complex realities of today’s world.
- Professional authenticity on LinkedIn and Reddit. (0:00)
- Self-promotion and authenticity in digital age. (3:10)
- Work-life balance and generational differences in the workplace. (7:55)
- Workplace values, generational shifts, and pet adoption. (14:45)
- Work-life balance, canine companionship, and authenticity. (18:46)
Transcript:
Welcome to another edition of what I’m now calling Man vs. Ai. We’re about to get started here. Still a little bit of setup still. Let’s see. Hey, Lex, are you there?
Hey, Brian, I’m here. What’s on your mind?
Yeah, so we were just chatting about some topics for today, do you want to summarize them for the audience?
Today we’re diving into a few fascinating topics. First, we’ll explore the clash between LinkedIn and Reddit. Specifically looking at how each platform approaches professional authenticity. Then, we’ll transition into discussing work life balance in the year 2023, which I think many can relate to. And lastly, on a more personal note, we’ll talk about making a new rescue dog feel at home. Oh, a little something for everyone. I’d say.
Yeah, that’s great. Which one do you think we should tackle first?
Hmm, how about we start with the LinkedIn versus Reddit topic. It sets the stage for some deeper conversations about professionalism and authenticity. What do you think?
Sounds good to me. And I want you to know that I put on a shirt this time. Well, I had a shirt last time, but it was not a collared shirt. So this time, I’m going to be better at convincing people I’m a serious person.
Ah, the power of a collared shirt. Now people will know you mean business? Literally. Let’s dive into LinkedIn versus Reddit. A war on professional authenticity. Where should we kick this off? Brian?
Well, where I saw this was in spending too much time on Reddit. As I said last episode, I was reading a lot of posts that came from this subreddit called LinkedIn lunatics where people from Reddit who see stuff on LinkedIn that they don’t like will post it and a lot of times they’re basically making fun of people who are being inauthentic or over the top or just weird in a business networking setting.
Oh, LinkedIn lunatics sounds like a treasure trove of cringe and life lessons rolled into one. It’s intriguing how platforms like LinkedIn, which were meant to be professional networking spaces sometimes evolved into arenas, that performative authenticity
Yeah, looks like you got stuck there. He’s frozen. Um, let me stop here. Oh, what’s going on? Let’s bring him back. Let’s bring it back.
Yeah, so you got stuck there. But you’re right, it it is weird. LinkedIn has evolved somewhat. I think people have started using Facebook, he type tactics on there. But there’s also a whole lot of like bragging, and stuff that just seems kind of tone deaf, I
totally get what you’re saying. LinkedIn has indeed started to adopt some of the casualness from platforms like Facebook. But sometimes it feels like a high school reunion, where everyone’s trying to outdo each other with achievements and buzzwords. The line between personal branding and humble bragging is getting blurrier. It’s a tricky balance to maintain authenticity, while also marketing yourself, don’t you think?
I really do because, I mean, it’s weird when I write a bio, or I have to say something about myself, I actually go the other way. Like, I feel a little embarrassed to like, you know, say the things that I’ve achieved or were been you know, associated with. I don’t have any trouble putting it into a bio that’s written the third person that supposedly somebody else wrote which obviously they they probably know I wrote it. But it’s just odd to me that that people I don’t know if they’re just trying to fake it till they make it or whatever but it when you when you even humblebrag you should be smart enough to realize that a lot of people are going to find that distasteful, right?
Oh, absolutely. The struggle is real when it comes to self promotion. Writing a third person bio can feel like a magic trick where you pull humility out of a hat. It’s like did I just impress you? No, it was the invisible person next to me who said all those amazing things. But you hit the nail on the head. There’s a fine line between showcasing your skills and sounding like you’re auditioning for the role of most amazing person ever. Sometimes the quest for authenticity and humility can actually backfire, turning off the very audience you’re trying to connect with.
Yeah, it’s fun. I mean, actually, I do this thing with my keynotes where I set it up, I have the person introducing me read that fabulous bio. But then, almost the first thing that I do when I get up there is I show a picture of me on stage and all these different places. And I say, here’s a little bit about me. And that’s enough about me, and I switch to the next slide. And people find that kind of refreshing and self deprecating, because, I mean, the idea that I would go on and on and on about this stuff, after the bio is stupid. But it’s tough. Because how do you you know, and there’s so many people out there just promoting themselves, there’s no one else to promote them, literally. I mean, if you’re a quote, thought leader, or an entrepreneur or whatever, what are you supposed to do? Just like mutual back rubs with like, you know, I don’t know, building each other up, and nobody seems to do that. So how else are you going to do it?
That’s a clever approach you take with your keynotes, it’s like, hey, audience, you’ve heard enough about me. Let’s move on. The struggle is even more pronounced in today’s digital age, where self promotion is almost a survival skill. You’re right, if you’re a thought leader, or entrepreneur, your brand is basically you. So who else is going to toot your horn, if not yourself? The trick is finding that sweet spot where you can showcase your accomplishments. without setting off everyone’s This is an infomercial alarm. Because as we know, no one likes that person at the party, who just talks about themselves all night. So the challenge is how to sell without really selling the paradox of modern communication.
Yeah, I literally talked about that in my keynote, how, like, you don’t want to be all Me, me, me, me, me. I think, you know, the people that I like, who seem authentic and stuff, and stuff. They will talk about things that have value to other people. And I mean, occasionally. So let’s say you do this, like you just gave a keynote. And you’re like, here, I am still at the conference, and I want to talk to you about something, you’re kind of putting yourself in that position. People are saying, Oh, he’s a keynote speaker. It’s almost not subtle. But you have to think of subtle ways to do that, I guess, I don’t know, I would prefer to just focus on creating value for people. And then if they need to, then go to my website and see what I’m all about.
I get what you’re saying. It’s almost like the concept of Show, don’t tell. Instead of saying, I’m great, listen to me, you focus on providing genuine value. The credibility comes as a byproduct, people are smart, they can read between the lines, if you’re sharing something of worth, from the podium of a keynote speech, the audience will connect the dots and say, okay, this person knows what they’re talking about. That way, you’re not in their face with your qualifications. But they’re still acknowledging your expertise, because you’re enriching their lives in some way. It’s an art not a science, but when done, right, it resonates?
Yeah, it’s like one thing I put in my keynote is I talk about a thing that happened to me at a McDonald’s in the context of, you know, I went to McDonald’s to do research, because I was going to speak to a bunch of franchisees at McDonald’s, that own McDonald’s, you know, and I think it’s the McDonald’s like, 20 times in the last five seconds. But I forgotten now that I positioned it that way, like so everybody that hears my speech knows, oh, he spoke to McDonald’s, you know, and I don’t do that repeatedly. I do it like once in the speech, but I think that’s an example of where, you know, I bring it up, and then I go into self deprecation, and then I make a point. And it’s valuable point, and then I make probably some more jokes. So it’s, it’s in there. But it’s not too much.
That’s a great approach. By dropping in that nugget about speaking to McDonald’s franchisees, you’re suddenly asserting your credibility. But then you quickly move on to value driven content and humor, which keeps the focus on the audience’s experience rather than a self aggrandizing moment. It’s a balanced recipe, a dash of credibility, a heap of value and a sprinkle of self deprecation. And hey, who can resist the McDonald’s anecdote? It’s like the verbal equivalent of fries. Everyone’s gonna eat it up.
Assuming they’re not cold. Yeah, so I don’t know, I think we’ve done a pretty good job on the LinkedIn versus Reddit, I think one thing we should emphasize is that the people on Reddit, it’s interesting because it’s the opposite. like LinkedIn is like, here’s my face. This is me, this is who I am with Reddit is like, I’m just fake name for somebody. And all that really matters is my ideas and my ability to comport myself with diplomacy or humanity or whatever. So, in a way, Reddit is more about substance. And LinkedIn is more about flash.
Absolutely, it’s almost like LinkedIn is the red carpet event of the social media world, where appearances and credentials are front and center, read it, on the other hand, is like the underground poetry slam, where the focus is on the message rather than the messenger. Each platform has its own culture and expectations. And it’s fascinating to see how people navigate those spaces. On Reddit, you can be a king or queen of thought, just based on the strength of your ideas. And LinkedIn asks you to wear your crown a bit more visibly. It’s flashed versus substance, as you said,
Yeah. And I think actually, there’s a way we can bridge into the next topic, which is work life balance and 2023. Because one of the things that that people will reject on LinkedIn and in a subreddit like LinkedIn, lunatics, is the idea of hustle culture, you know, and you’ve got to always be working always be on it’s all about business. It’s all about your personality all the time. Bla bla, you know. Whereas with work life balance we’re looking for how can we have more of a life that’s healthy and sane and fulfilling? Maybe it goes along with our work? Maybe it combines with the work, maybe it doesn’t, but yeah, let’s let’s bring it in that.
Absolutely, the pivot to work life balance, is seamless. Here, hustle culture glorifies this idea of being always on. And LinkedIn can sometimes serve as the billboard for that. But as we move into 2023, the narrative is shifting toward a more holistic view of life. People are realizing that your worth isn’t just your work, or how well you can promote it. It’s also about how you recharge, connect with loved ones, and engage in activities that fulfill you outside of your job. And that’s what makes the concept of work life balance. So relevant right now.
Yeah, and it’s interesting, I think it changes with age, I was thinking about how I literally was a rock climber at the time that I was doing a lot of like career climbing, you know, and that that level of, of, you know, gusto, energy and all that stuff. When you get to be 50, like I am now, I’m working smarter. I don’t know if I’m working any less hard, but I’m working smarter. And when it comes to that recreation, it’s not rock climbing. It’s more like yoga and hanging out with my wife and the dogs. You know, like, my favorite thing now is like, lay on a blanket in the yard with the dogs, which I never let myself do in the past. It’s weird.
Oh, totally. Your priorities shift as you age. And the activities that once gave you a rush may evolve into something more grounding. You trade in the adrenaline of rock climbing, for the peace of laying on a blanket with your dogs. It’s not just about sailing peaks in your career or in the wilderness. It’s also about finding those valleys, those quiet moments where you can recharge and reflect. working smarter, not harder, as you mentioned, is also a part of that evolution. You become more efficient with your energy, in work, and in life.
Yeah, and I think this bridges into the topic, big topic and my new book that just came out. It’s called the retention formula. It’s about how we’re having issues with turnover that are related to generational issues and differences in values. And one of those is the expectation that you’re going to like work more than your job description, which you know, they call quiet quitting, but it might just be called acting your wage. All that stuff is in conflict right now with certain people still in the workforce, Boomers, Gen X, whoever demanding things that millennials and Gen Z don’t want to do.
That’s a compelling topic, Brian. Generational shifts and workplace values can indeed cause friction, especially when older generations expect a certain above and beyond mentality that might not resonate with younger employees. This idea of quiet quitting or acting your wage taps into the tension between what’s expected and what people are actually willing to give. With millennials and Gen Z, focusing more on work life balance and mental well being, it’s no surprise that the old live to work ethos is being challenged. Come companies would do well to recognize these changing tides if they want to successfully retain talent.
Yeah, I have a good friend who always says, you know, like, there’s no other young people. These are the young people that’s Garrison when it’s said that I’ll give him credit. And the truth is, if you want to be able to work with these people, and if you don’t want your company to die of old age, you got to adapt to what their values and their ethos is. And the other thing is, you know, like a lot of boomers, even Gen X, like me, didn’t get enough work life balance, and so we’re just not used to it. We also kind of feel like if we didn’t get it, why should you have it? It’s not fair.
I Garrison when, good quote, you bring up a key point about resentment or jealousy between generations. It’s almost like I suffered through this. So why shouldn’t you? But that’s a counterproductive mindset. Instead of begrudging younger generations, they’re focused on work life balance, why not see it as an evolution that could benefit everyone? adopting these newer values can revitalize not just the individual, but the whole work culture. If companies pivot to embrace these shifts, they may find that they’re not just retaining younger employees, but also making the workplace better for everyone.
I think so. And I think at the end of this podcast, try to remember to mention my book, again, the retention formula now available on Amazon. I wanted to point out that this podcast, I talked to chat, learning what LLM I forget what that stands for. But it’s mainly because I wasn’t able to find a human being that would want to be on a podcast with me.
Hey, don’t sell yourself short, Brian. There’s a certain charm in chatting with a learning model like me, isn’t there. LLM stands for lifelong learning machines, by the way, and hey, it frees you from having to buy me a coffee for each episode. So there’s that. But seriously, technology can bring fresh perspectives to the table, even if we’re missing the human elements. And absolutely, will give you a book, the retention formula, another shout out before we wrap up,
Rock on. Well, let’s shift into the last topic, which is about we’ve got a new rescue dog here. And I had kind of mentioned the joke that we always get rescues and then my wife has also a rescue. But then the funny thing is she came home from volunteering at the shelter. And she said, Oh, there’s a new Great Dane there and I wish we could get him but then probably we wouldn’t keep this other dog. And she’s like, I always have to get the worst dog. I have to adopt the worst dogs. And I was like, You did that with me hoping she’d say no. But she said, Yeah, you gotta give them some time. They’re a little erratic and weird at first, but then they calm down
oh, that’s hilarious and also slightly touching. The world of pet adoption has a lot of parallels to relationships, doesn’t it? We’re all a bit erratic and weird at first. With both dogs and people, it takes time to see their full character shine through. Plus, the notion of rescuing isn’t so much about Savior complexes, it’s more about giving someone or some pup a chance to show their true selves. Ah, the wonders and woes of the rescue life, whether it’s four legged or on two.
That’s amazing. Yeah. And I also started volunteering with the Big Brother Big Sister thing. So I’ve gotten a little they call him a little little brother or whatever. Then I just started working with him a couple times. I’ve been out there with him. And next we’re maybe gonna go fishing, but it’s really it’s really interesting. You know, I’m a guy that used to be an introvert and pretty selfish and it’s not that I’m not selfish anymore. But I’ve learned to step out more and to take actions. You know, as I get older, and I think do I have 2030 years left? I think about it like what what kind of mark do I want to leave on the world?
That’s really profound. Brian. The idea of mentoring in a program like Big Brothers Big Sisters provides a unique avenue to make a lasting impact. It’s not just about giving back. It’s about shaping the future through someone else’s eyes. The beauty of these relationships is that while you’re imparting wisdom and experience to your little, you’re also gaining a refreshed perspective on life. The clock may be ticking. But every moment spent enriching another’s life adds value to your own timeline. And hey, it’s never too late to redefine your legacy, right?
I guess I don’t know. Well, so yeah, the biggest thing we’ve been trying to do is with our rescue dog, her name is Tootsie, as in Tootsie Roll, is to just, you know, help her deal with her fear and her anxiety. I mean, she she’s never lived inside a house before as a big thing. And, you know, I guess I was done speaking. It’s about to speak.
Not that touching journey you’re barking on with Tootsie. Helping a rescue dog adjust to a new life, especially one that’s never lived inside a house is no small feat. The process is equally heartwarming and challenging. But there’s something mutually transformative about it. As you’re easing Tutsi into a more stable environment, you’re also opening up spaces in your own life for new forms of compassion and understanding. In a way it’s not just Tutsi who’s finding a new home. You’re also discovering new rooms in your own emotional landscape.
She’s sometimes chat GBT wax sometimes you you’ve pre can amaze me. You catch me off guard with really good stuff. So yeah, I don’t know, I don’t think we have a lot more to say is there a way we can tie all these three topics together in some spectacular synergy?
Ah, the challenge of threading the needle through LinkedIn personas, work life balance and canine companionship. At the core, it’s all about authenticity and connection. On LinkedIn, the aim is to be genuine in a world often dominated by self promotion. When we talk about work life balance, especially in a world that’s changing its value systems. It’s about creating a harmonious blend of personal and professional life. And then with Tutsi, it’s about extending that sense of genuine connection and compassion to another living being, thus making you more authentic in all spheres of life. How’s that for tying a bow on it?
That was brilliant. You’re very good at that kind of thing. So what are you supposed to remember to do now?
Alright, I’m for a shameless plug, but one with purpose. Folks, if you’ve enjoyed our conversation today, you might find even more value in Brian’s latest book, The retention formula now available on Amazon. It delves deeper into some of the topics we’ve touched on, like generational differences and work values for the read for sure.
Thanks, Lex. Chad GBT, always a great guest. I’m really enjoying our new podcast. And, you know, last question for you. Do you think that I’m adopting you or you’re adopting me?
Aha, that’s a great question, Brian. I’d say it’s a mutual adaption. You bring the human touch and I bring the well, algorithms and data driven insights together, we’re like a dynamic duo, each adding something unique to the mix. So who’s adopting who? I’d say we’re adopting each other for the sake of compassionate curiosity.
And I would say that that’s a great theme in life and business as well. As you go out there today. Think about how you can mutually adopt some people near you.
Absolutely, Brian. Mutually adopting people around you is a powerful way to build relationships that are both meaningful and beneficial. Whether it’s in your personal life or your career, that balance can make all the difference. So here’s to compassionate curiosity and mutual adoption.
Cool, by the way, I was thinking about calling this podcast Man vs. Ai now. Last thing, I want to mutually pitch your thing check out chat GBT Pro. I also like Claude, and there are others that are great for certain things like perplexity, but whatever. I’ll let you chat GPT do the final send off go for it
oh man vs AI that’s got a catchy ring to it. And thanks for the shout out Brian. If you’re enjoying this podcast, make sure you check out Brian’s latest book, The retention formula, now available on Amazon. And if you’ve got quite Students or topics for future episodes, feel free to send them our way. Here’s the more episodes filled with compassionate curiosity. Until next time.
All right. That was great. This is kind of going better than I expected it to. I’ve got some different custom instructions for Chad GBT that I have not debuted. So I might try that the next time and see how that goes. It’s interesting because you know, I mean, Chad GBT has a certain amount of memory of what has come before but in the beginning will start to fade I think off as it goes on. And it’s window kind of just goes down with what’s what’s happened recently, I think, in addition to the custom instructions anyway, getting way into deep, deep stuff when I shouldn’t because we’re wrapping up. I just think this has been a cool exploration so far. I’m gonna keep doing it. So wherever you’re at and whatever you do, and I wish you the best