'Firing someone isn't about you': LinkedIn 'influencer' faces backlash for posting smiling selfie after firing an employee
On LinkedIn, amidst the usual array of posts, one stands out¡ªa man dressed casually in a light grey shirt, radiating a relaxed vibe as he embodies a typical work-from-home day. His post features a cheerful selfie of his laid-back workspace, blending in with the normal updates one is used to seeing on the platform. However, it's his caption that breaks the mold: "Last week I fired my first employee."
On LinkedIn, amidst the usual array of posts, one stands out¡ªa man dressed casually in a light grey shirt, radiating a relaxed vibe as he embodies a typical work-from-home day. His post features a cheerful selfie of his laid-back workspace, blending in with the normal updates one is used to seeing on the platform. However, it's his caption that breaks the mold: "Last week I fired my first employee."
The LinkedIn influencer Matthew Baltzell, described as a top real-estate voice on the platform, shared a smiling selfie that belied a significant moment: firing his first employee.
LinkedIn
In a detailed post, he recounted the swift "10-minute meeting" and the terms of the "severance package," framing it as a valuable business lesson in four parts, and inviting feedback.
This post highlights the irony of focusing on oneself in a situation which should typically be centered on the person who was being fired¡ªa classic case of "main character syndrome." This mindset portrays individuals who often see themselves as central figures, believing their experiences are pivotal in every scenario.
Also read: 'Take legal action': Fired over medical emergency, diabetic woman's shocking story sparks outrage
Representative image/ Masterfile
The Internet was swift to respond - critically.
One commenter on Threads sarcastically remarked, "I fucking love when people post selfies on LinkedIn. It's always like 'tanked my company and lit my building on fire and here is what I learned' with a picture of some dude smiling in front of a charred office suite with a thumbs up."
Another bluntly stated, "Don't post a selfie. Firing someone is not about you."
Yet another said, "You just made someone¡¯s exit incredibly problematic for yourself! I would NEVER work for an individual that was so INSECURE about his own leadership that he had to share the semantics in his first firing experience! Grow up! Leaders don¡¯t behave this way."
What are your thoughts on his post?
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