Should I Connect with Competitors on LinkedIn?

You may have wondered from time to time: should you connect with the competition on LinkedIn?

My answer is always a resounding: “Hell yes!”

Why? Simply because I learn from brilliant and knowledgeable people every day.

While I can see why people may be reluctant to connect with their competition, not wanting to reveal their tricks of the trade, business secrets, and sensitive information, particularly in certain industries like insurance, law and manufacturing, the very name of ‘social media’ implies it was intended for ‘social’ use. It was designed to be a hub of ideas, alive with sharing and publishing of advice, problem-solving, inspiring and motivating where like-minded professionals could debate, engage, learn and grow.

If you had benefitted from learning from a particularly gifted individual, why wouldn’t you want to recommend and share them with your network? Your Connections are likely to appreciate your openness and generosity if you do and may even repay the favour by sharing their key mentors and influencers with you.

LinkedIn Guru Jeff Young recently shared his list of valuable professionals in my industry, which you can find here.

I’m honoured to say that I make an appearance on it. Thanks Jeff! I recommend that you connect with those on his list if you want to accelerate YOUR LinkedIn journey. Whilst you may not ‘gel’ with my LinkedIn training style, you might ‘click’ with some of the LinkedIn experts and leaders on Jeff’s list, which spans the UK, USA, India, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Do you have any LinkedIn tips? I’m all for the spirit of continuous learning, so feel free to share your pearls of wisdom with me on Twitter and LinkedIn if you do!

If you wish to go beyond LinkedIn tips, contact me to find out more about my LinkedIn Bootcamp sessions and LinkedIn training for different industries and sectors.