Nostalgic MySpace songs, TikTok vs Instagram, LinkedIn icks, and why building community beats chasing likes, this Q&A serves up hot takes, comfort food picks, and the creators worth following. Quick, honest answers and zero fluff.
Shelley Johnson is the founder of Boldside, a leadership and culture consultancy that helps teams and leaders work better, together. She’s also the author of the bestselling book Sort Your Career Out & Make More Money, where she shares practical advice for finding your purpose and building a career on your terms
1. What would your MySpace song be in 2025?
MakeDamnSure By Taking Back Sunday because of the nostalgia, and because my music taste peaked in 2006.
2. Instagram or TikTok? Defend your answer.
Instagram. I’m too old.
3. What’s in your camera roll way too much?
Screenshots of bad LinkedIn posts.
4. A tool, app, or sneaky little shortcut you swear by?
I know it’s basic but I couldn’t function without Otter AI.
5. Most underrated social media skill?
Creating community instead of just creating content. It’s the connection with people that has the biggest impact.
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Comienza GRATIS6. If you could ban one trend forever, what would it be?
Crying stories & reels. The only exception to this, is if it’s part of a pod and longer form conversation, but I find it weird when people start a story or reel purely to cry to randos on the internet. Authenticity is good, oversharing is bad.
7. Who are 3 brands/creators you’re vibing with right now?
Mitch king, always. Love how he thinks of the most subtle, weird every day things we all identify with but have never put into words, and then the words are always 10/10.
Jess Hatzis. Love the combo of educational content and client stories and wins.
Oatly. Their cheekiness level will always be on a pedestal.
8. Go-to comfort food after a chaotic day?
Tiramisu. Enough said.
9. Best DM you’ve ever received (or sent)?
That time some guy on LinkedIn messaged me saying I have no idea what I’m talking about and should rethink my career choices. That to me was a glorious moment to have annoyed someone so much they felt the need to send that. And a reminder that it’s good to be polarising.
10. What’s your biggest ick on LinkedIn right now?
There are lots of icks, but the big one for me is the formula. The headline, followed by ‘but here’s the truth’ with some really obvious truth. For example:
Unpopular opinion, a lot of people on this platform are sharing AI generated content. But here’s the truth — I’m not. Because I’m better and smarter than you. Read that again.
The formula has to go. I want to go back to long form writing. Story telling but not make believe stories. Actual ones. I want people to have content that’s self deprecating and raw. And that SOUNDS LIKE THEM. With caps preferably.
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