Ghosting on LinkedIn: rude or 'just' modern?
Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2024 6:59 am
Ghosting on LinkedIn: rude or 'just' modern?
Unfortunately, it happens to all of us: you are in contact with someone, and then suddenly…. Silence. No messages, no explanation, nothing. You are ghosted. Ghosting, a term we know from the dating world, is also becoming increasingly normal on LinkedIn. But why do people do this? What does it mean on a professional platform like LinkedIn? And is it just part of it these days?
Psychology of Ghosting
By ghosting on LinkedIn I mean that someone stops responding after a previous interaction. Everyone gets connection requests or automated sales messages that are completely irrelevant, but that is not what this article is about.
To be honest, I have probably ghosted someone (unintentionally) before. It is not always about being rude. An overflowing inbox or simply not having enough time can all be reasons for not responding. And digital communication is part of the problem. Online communication is simply a lot more impersonal.
Just look at another online phenomenon: trolling. You don't call bulk sms ireland someone a rotten fish to their face. Online, that's a lot easier because it's anonymous. So in the case of ghosting, the threshold for not responding is a lot lower. In addition, LinkedIn is a platform that not everyone uses every day and therefore has a lower priority for most people than other social media.
Message overload: Professionals receive dozens of messages every day, not all of which are relevant.
Not a priority: LinkedIn may be a lower priority than direct work or personal emails.
Mismatch: Sometimes someone doesn't feel a connection with your message or profile.
Lack of time: We live in a busy world; some messages simply get lost in the crowd.
It does something to you
Although LinkedIn is not a personal social media, being ghosted professionally can leave you feeling extremely down. It is frustrating when someone stops responding. Even when it comes to professional communication. It has been proven that ghosting can have a significant impact on our mental health. You feel rejected, insecure and maybe even blue .
Ghosting may be related to your age
Younger generations have grown up with digital technology and may be more accustomed to fast, impersonal communication. They may be more inclined to ignore messages, while older generations place more value on personal interaction and politeness.
Unfortunately, it happens to all of us: you are in contact with someone, and then suddenly…. Silence. No messages, no explanation, nothing. You are ghosted. Ghosting, a term we know from the dating world, is also becoming increasingly normal on LinkedIn. But why do people do this? What does it mean on a professional platform like LinkedIn? And is it just part of it these days?
Psychology of Ghosting
By ghosting on LinkedIn I mean that someone stops responding after a previous interaction. Everyone gets connection requests or automated sales messages that are completely irrelevant, but that is not what this article is about.
To be honest, I have probably ghosted someone (unintentionally) before. It is not always about being rude. An overflowing inbox or simply not having enough time can all be reasons for not responding. And digital communication is part of the problem. Online communication is simply a lot more impersonal.
Just look at another online phenomenon: trolling. You don't call bulk sms ireland someone a rotten fish to their face. Online, that's a lot easier because it's anonymous. So in the case of ghosting, the threshold for not responding is a lot lower. In addition, LinkedIn is a platform that not everyone uses every day and therefore has a lower priority for most people than other social media.
Message overload: Professionals receive dozens of messages every day, not all of which are relevant.
Not a priority: LinkedIn may be a lower priority than direct work or personal emails.
Mismatch: Sometimes someone doesn't feel a connection with your message or profile.
Lack of time: We live in a busy world; some messages simply get lost in the crowd.
It does something to you
Although LinkedIn is not a personal social media, being ghosted professionally can leave you feeling extremely down. It is frustrating when someone stops responding. Even when it comes to professional communication. It has been proven that ghosting can have a significant impact on our mental health. You feel rejected, insecure and maybe even blue .
Ghosting may be related to your age
Younger generations have grown up with digital technology and may be more accustomed to fast, impersonal communication. They may be more inclined to ignore messages, while older generations place more value on personal interaction and politeness.