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“Last Week, I Fired My First Employee, Here’s What I Learned”: Boss Says In Tone-Deaf LinkedIn Post
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“Last Week, I Fired My First Employee, Here’s What I Learned”: Boss Says In Tone-Deaf LinkedIn Post

Interview With Expert Boss Brags About Lessons Learned After Firing Worker On LinkedIn, People Online Are Not Having ItBoss Posts A Smiling Photo On LinkedIn With A Post About What He Learnt From Firing An EmployeeFolks Bash LinkedIn Boss After He Creates A Business Lesson Post Based On Firing An EmployeeNetizens Stunned At The Gall Of This Boss Turning An Employee Layoff Into A LinkedIn Business Lesson
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Everyone wants to get famous or go viral by creating the most amazing content. But it seems like some folks go to the most extreme lengths to make that a reality. One of the surest places you’ll find this happening is on LinkedIn, where CEOs, bosses, and normal people try to create viral hooks for their posts. 

The most recent example was by a founder who posted about firing his employee and the “lessons” he learned from doing so. It’s up to you to decide whether it was a great content idea or just wildly insensitive.

More info: LinkedIn

Some viral posts on the Internet will really make you question if all publicity is truly good publicity

Image credits: Matthew Baltzell 🌴

Matthew Baltzell is the founder of Cap X Media, who received a lot of flak online for making a business lesson post based on firing an employee for the first time

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Image credits: Sora Shimazaki / Pexels (not the actual photo)

He shared 4 firing tips that people could learn from and also explained how the person who got fired handled the experience

Image credits: Mikhail Nilov / Pexels (not the actual photo)

Matthew ended his post by asking folks if they enjoyed his small business lesson, but we’re not sure what was so fun about it

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Image credits: Matthew Baltzell 🌴

LinkedIn is now becoming full of stories like this, where folks use personal life incidents to promote their business, teach lessons or strategies, and gain an audience

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Getting fired is an incredibly difficult experience. Folks who get terminated from their jobs often go through a wide range of emotions. For many, there’s a sense of grief, fear, and shock. It can, therefore, be difficult for a person going through such a tough experience to read a post like this.

To learn more about these kinds of personal stories on LinkedIn and whether they’re a good idea, Bored Panda reached out to Jagriti Jain. She is a self-proclaimed “work in progress” who started out as an international banker and now works as a writer and LinkedIn personal branding strategist. She also runs a digital marketing agency called JJ Ventures.

We asked Jagriti why so many creators use personal stories, traumatic experiences, or weird incidents as content for LinkedIn. She said, “People want to read real-time stories. I am somebody who reads LinkedIn posts for a living, and if I see a post that does not catch my attention in the first two lines, do you think I’m going to [keep reading it]?”

She also explained, “If I do not see something that resonates with me or something that intrigues me, I’m not going to read it. There is no better way to create engaging or authentic content without a personal story. The example that you gave me: ‘here are things I learned from firing my employee,’ that was very catchy.”

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As Jagriti mentioned, “People want to read something that they relate to. It’s all about figuring out that one voice that speaks to you, and that’s exactly why personal stories work.” Matthew’s post did just that. It drew from an experience he had, while also connecting to his brand. That’s why it probably drew so much attention.

Image credits: ANTONI SHKRABA production / Pexels (not the actual photo)

Many views and comments on Matthew’s post came from folks who couldn’t believe he’d use an employee’s termination for content. That’s why we asked Jagriti why anyone would want to get such negative attention in the first place. She put it simply by stating, “There is no such thing as bad publicity.”

“Even if it’s negative engagement, it is [still] engagement, and it is getting me a lot of followers, even if those are trolls. Those people are coming to my profile, commenting, engaging, putting in hate comments, but it’s publicity in its authentic sense. The LinkedIn algorithm works in such a manner that if you are commenting on my post, they might not possibly see what the comment is, but they will definitely push my post toward your followers.”

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“The point is, even if it’s a negative thing, if it is getting me sales leads, I think it’s a job well done. It’s essentially pushing the algorithm in such a way that more people are engaging, and that’s the whole idea of being on social media, right? You need people to see you. You’re there for social validation–whatever it takes.”

When it comes to posting online, it can feel like walking a tightrope between creating socially acceptable content or sharing more controversial ideas. Experts state that you shouldn’t shy away from difficult topics, but you should write about them in a compassionate manner.

We asked Jagriti how people should approach posting on LinkedIn. She said, “I think the primary job is to figure out why you are on LinkedIn. Are you there just to look, just to understand how things work in the digital world, create brand positioning, or get sales for your business? It’s all about strategies, one way or the other, but personal stories are the starting point.”

According to Jagriti, personal stories are non-negotiable. It does make sense in a way because all of us talking about and criticizing Matthew are giving him the viewership that he probably wants. In fact, his story went viral online, with one X user getting 1.5 million views on his tweet dissing the LinkedIn post. 

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What do you think about the situation? Do you think Matthew’s a genius for what he did or just a LinkedIn lunatic? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

People could not believe anyone would write such a tone-deaf post, and one netizen made a joke about it being similar to that of the infamous “Crying CEO” 

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Beverly Noronha

Beverly Noronha

Writer, BoredPanda staff

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You can call me Bev! I'm a world-class reader, a quirky writer, and a gardener who paints. If you’re looking for information about tattoos, Bulbasaur, and books, then I'm the NPC you must approach.

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Beverly Noronha

Beverly Noronha

Writer, BoredPanda staff

You can call me Bev! I'm a world-class reader, a quirky writer, and a gardener who paints. If you’re looking for information about tattoos, Bulbasaur, and books, then I'm the NPC you must approach.

Rūta Zumbrickaitė

Rūta Zumbrickaitė

Author, BoredPanda staff

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Hi! Nice to meet you~ I'm very passionate about animals, especially cats, photography, small DIY projects, music and so much more! Could say I am the TV show The Office connoisseur since I have seen it at least a dozen times~

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Rūta Zumbrickaitė

Rūta Zumbrickaitė

Author, BoredPanda staff

Hi! Nice to meet you~ I'm very passionate about animals, especially cats, photography, small DIY projects, music and so much more! Could say I am the TV show The Office connoisseur since I have seen it at least a dozen times~

What do you think about using employee termination stories for business lessons on social media?
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POST
Apatheist Account2
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't agree with posting someone's contact details to the rest of the company without the employee's permission - that's a GDPR violation right there.

Neopet22
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's what I was thinking too. I had to terminate people as well and never did I consider, 1) informing the rest of the team that the person is gone ((maybe others in my role but not the person's teammates,seems weird) and 2) giving away their personal information. Getting terminated is not exactly something most people feel happy about and I think most wouldn't want co workers reaching out during that time

Load More Replies...
Mrs.C
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I guess it's just me, but I didn't read this as a brag but as a how-to guide for small businesses. Firing someone would suck but it is occasionally going to be necessary. Wouldn't a guide like this be helpful?

Ben Aziza
Community Member
2 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes you are right conceptually! The way it was done tho tells another story... He made it public and it has this braggy tone. So i am focusing on the intent here... Is the intent making a comprehensive guide on how to handle firing an employee? OR Chasing LinkedIn clout using HOW GREAT OF A BOOS YOU ARE even when you are firing someone?

Load More Replies...
Mike F
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is it just me or does the guy even look like a doofus? If you're trying to project a professional image, turn your hat around, and wipe the smirk off your face.

Alexandra
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Personally, I find it highly offensive if you broadcast how you just negatively impacted a person's life. I get it, sometimes you have no choice but to turn something so personal into a sales pitch promoting yoursel? That's plain rude.

Stephen Walsh
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's a whole Reddit subreddit dedicated to weird LinkedIn stuff called r/linkedinlunatics some of the stuff people post on LinkedIn is cringe. I used to use it a lot but I hardly go on it anymore, it's just a place where people like to flex and boast and try look interesting and important. It's long since moved away from its initial premise and purpose and that's rather unfortunate.

Monosyllabicgirl
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The tone is off somehow but I think that it could be helpful for someone who lacks social skills who needs to let an employee go. Maybe. At least he gave severance pay and offered a good reference to the employee. I hope that he only gave the person's email address and not phone number out though, I'd be irate if my number were given to coworkers if it were a large company. So far every place I've worked at most of us coworkers end up friends so share our numbers anyway but at a place with more than 20 employees that can't possibly be similar!

Michael Largey
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If someone needs (in your opinion) to be fired, why (Step 3) offer to provide a future job reference? What about transparency - stay clear and honest (Step 4)?

Thanos'Fingers
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This guy can't build a transmission, but I'll bet he could manage to flip a patty. He never said it would be a good reference.

Load More Replies...
C P
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Social media is complete trash, it’s created an entire generation of people who cannot think outside their own self interests.

Marcus Lynch
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This guy's self important and self assured attitude is disgusting. I've had to fire multiple people in my career and every time, I've seen it for what it is: Turning someone's world upside down. Anyone who sees firing someone as some sort of social experiment that needs to be shared as a learning moment with total strangers has no business being in a position of leadership.

Alex Martin
Community Member
2 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've fired people. You do it because they've not improved despite coaching, have done something so terrible that they need to go, or it's a layoff and the only option. You're taking away their livelihood and causing mental harm. You make it about the employee and what will do for them as their job is ending. You never brag about it. Doing a video is so unbelievably rude and offensive.

Apatheist Account2
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't agree with posting someone's contact details to the rest of the company without the employee's permission - that's a GDPR violation right there.

Neopet22
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's what I was thinking too. I had to terminate people as well and never did I consider, 1) informing the rest of the team that the person is gone ((maybe others in my role but not the person's teammates,seems weird) and 2) giving away their personal information. Getting terminated is not exactly something most people feel happy about and I think most wouldn't want co workers reaching out during that time

Load More Replies...
Mrs.C
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I guess it's just me, but I didn't read this as a brag but as a how-to guide for small businesses. Firing someone would suck but it is occasionally going to be necessary. Wouldn't a guide like this be helpful?

Ben Aziza
Community Member
2 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes you are right conceptually! The way it was done tho tells another story... He made it public and it has this braggy tone. So i am focusing on the intent here... Is the intent making a comprehensive guide on how to handle firing an employee? OR Chasing LinkedIn clout using HOW GREAT OF A BOOS YOU ARE even when you are firing someone?

Load More Replies...
Mike F
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is it just me or does the guy even look like a doofus? If you're trying to project a professional image, turn your hat around, and wipe the smirk off your face.

Alexandra
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Personally, I find it highly offensive if you broadcast how you just negatively impacted a person's life. I get it, sometimes you have no choice but to turn something so personal into a sales pitch promoting yoursel? That's plain rude.

Stephen Walsh
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's a whole Reddit subreddit dedicated to weird LinkedIn stuff called r/linkedinlunatics some of the stuff people post on LinkedIn is cringe. I used to use it a lot but I hardly go on it anymore, it's just a place where people like to flex and boast and try look interesting and important. It's long since moved away from its initial premise and purpose and that's rather unfortunate.

Monosyllabicgirl
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The tone is off somehow but I think that it could be helpful for someone who lacks social skills who needs to let an employee go. Maybe. At least he gave severance pay and offered a good reference to the employee. I hope that he only gave the person's email address and not phone number out though, I'd be irate if my number were given to coworkers if it were a large company. So far every place I've worked at most of us coworkers end up friends so share our numbers anyway but at a place with more than 20 employees that can't possibly be similar!

Michael Largey
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If someone needs (in your opinion) to be fired, why (Step 3) offer to provide a future job reference? What about transparency - stay clear and honest (Step 4)?

Thanos'Fingers
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This guy can't build a transmission, but I'll bet he could manage to flip a patty. He never said it would be a good reference.

Load More Replies...
C P
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Social media is complete trash, it’s created an entire generation of people who cannot think outside their own self interests.

Marcus Lynch
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This guy's self important and self assured attitude is disgusting. I've had to fire multiple people in my career and every time, I've seen it for what it is: Turning someone's world upside down. Anyone who sees firing someone as some sort of social experiment that needs to be shared as a learning moment with total strangers has no business being in a position of leadership.

Alex Martin
Community Member
2 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've fired people. You do it because they've not improved despite coaching, have done something so terrible that they need to go, or it's a layoff and the only option. You're taking away their livelihood and causing mental harm. You make it about the employee and what will do for them as their job is ending. You never brag about it. Doing a video is so unbelievably rude and offensive.

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