It is a busy, buzzing circus that takes place on LinkedIn India – and it reminds me of the Gemini circus from my youth in a small town near Kolkata.
The template is creepy similar: first the acrobats, high in the air, jump into powerful arches, then the jokers, then one by one, the exotic animals and their Verstanders, then the powerful tigers in a gigantic cage with the sweep -horror ringmaster, then the daring actions and finally the final. The jokers were a constant, continued to float in and out, during switches.
This new LinkedIn circus is not always about jobs or networks, but performance art disguised as ‘authentic sharing’. Here, business workers, start-up co-founders, managers and serious young Hustlers-self certified ‘Storytellers’ cultivates their ‘personal brands’ with the precision of gardeners funded by companies.
With a little help from AI they plant ‘stories’, they give water with hashtags and wait for the algorithm to shower. It is no longer enough to have built or learned something; One must also change it into a three-act mythological dance drama, complete with modest beginning, tricolor emojis and an artistic blurred Bharat Mandapam Lanyard in the background.
But here is the catch: Behind the Gemini Circus of Uplift and Hustle is a real lesson about how people build up influence and signal credibility on the era of professional transfer.
I tried to fill some archetypes. Understanding these archetypes is not only sport. It is survival.
Here are the best archetypes I have found – together with what it really means – that is, why you should avoid it.
Before we continue, A Disclaimer: This group is a minority – a majority of LinkedIn is not concerned with this tomfoolery because it has no time. But this minority is very vocal and protrudes.
1. Chhotey Sheher Ka Ladka
Every other day, LinkedIn offers a story of an exciting rag-to-rich story: “I grew up in a house with one room in Gaya with nothing but grit – now I lead strategy at Flipzon.” The upgrade of 2025? International hardship add-ons: “Washing dishes in Berlin”, “slept on an Oslo railway platform during my MBA.” Suffering, but make it worldwide.
For your friendly attention: Real struggle moves people; borrowed or blown -up tragedy.
2. Patriotism-as-PR: flags, emojis and zero substance
Arjun Mehta, mid-level Saas manager, messages: “India will conquer AI!” In addition to stock photos of the cricket team and a selfie in Terminal 3. National pride has become the cheapest clickbait.
For your friendly attention: National pride, always something great, is used in the right context. Empty breast dumping is transparent.
3. The Sir Ji behind my success
A grateful mentee bends online: “Forever, amazingly inspiring Shalini lady who has taught me the power of dreams.” There is usually a flattering selfie and some hashtags #mentorship. Half gratitude, half career insurance.
For your friendly attention: Appreciation works best when concrete; Transfer hero commidification reads as an opportunistic.
4. MIC drop moments
Siddhart van Gurgaon places a moody recording Davos style co-working lounge, laptop open, cappuccino steam. Subtitles: “Brewing ideas for a better Bharat.” No idea what he is building, but the cappuccino looks beautiful.
For your friendly attention: Visual social evidence is powerful; But hollow aspiration is easy to recognize.
5. Digital karmayogi
Meera proclaims: “Working 20 hours a day, my mission serves, not myself.” Three messages later, on an Insta Reel, she is on a yacht in Mykonos.
For your friendly attention: The Tapasya atmosphere is strong – until it is not.
6. Tech + Vedas = Instant Guru
New favorite hack: quote the Gita while spicing a pivot. “As Krishna said – adjust and evolve.” Cue photos of meditation in Coorg and hashtags #inientwisdom #productmarketfit.
For your friendly attention: Borrowed depth without livestock understanding, Spot invites, not respect.
7. AI-Pocalypse Merchant
Ankita, “Future-of-Work Strategist”, proclaims: “AI will now wipe out 90 percent of the jobs. Upsskill now – member of my Masterclass of £ 15,000.” Fear clicks on, but little else.
For your friendly attention: Alarm sells in the short term; Credibility is built by a quiet, clear direction.
8. Badges and global labels
Prateek explains: “Honored to represent India with the world young leaders conclave.” Google IT – It is a paid weekend workshop in Baku. But hey, the LinkedIn -Badge shines.
For your friendly attention: Titles make short impression; Real authority is earned by silent impact, no stickers.
9. Selfie Saviors
There is nothing like a CEO that hugs a dusty village child: “This little one taught me resilience.” Then back to quarterly profit graphs.
For your friendly attention: Impact reports work when they are about systemic change, not about poverty tourism.
10. The Enthu Cutlet Uncle – Life lessons in abundance
Ex-CEO or ex-bankier or ex-what now on a spiritual sabbatical. Find in -depth life lessons in the yawning of a cat, a Uber ride or the way in which the barista has spelled their name incorrectly. Post long reflections tagged #lifelonglearning #gratitude.
For your friendly attention: Wijsom signaling For only engagement, the depth turns into a parody.
Maybe, very perhaps, we can make LinkedIn a little healthy – a place where we share real value and real experience instead of haunting trends in the crazy pursuit of likes. Authenticity may not be viral so quickly, but it takes much longer.
(The writer is a digital marketer with an analogue past)
Published on October 6, 2025
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