How An Uncanny Challenge With Instagram Gave Me 3 Important Leadership Reminders

Instagram is the social media platform I use for fun. It’s a chance to connect with people on a more personal level. I do post some thoughts related to my work, but it’s not the primary reason I spend time there. I enjoy seeing what’s going on in the lives of others and celebrating those moments by liking or commenting on their posts or stories.

But lately, I’ve not found any joy with my time on IG. I would start scrolling through my feed only to be met with suggested reels that were… well, suggestive. I’m a happily married man, and while the suggestions were not pornographic, they did make me uncomfortable. It definitely wasn’t what I wanted to see as I scrolled through my feed.

I would start scrolling through my feed only to be met with suggested reels that were… well… suggestive.

I did a search on “how to reduce unwanted reel suggestions on IG.” Almost all of the results said to tap on the reel or post and then tap on the three dots in the top right and tap on “Not interested.” It would then bring up a menu where I could tell them why. So I dutifully followed those instructions.

For about a week things got a little better, but once I stopped telling IG I didn’t want to see someone talking seductively in their car about relationships, they returned… with a vengeance! Now I’m about ready to cancel my IG account.

Before taking that drastic step I reached out to my local social media expert (aka my 19 year old daughter Sydney) and asked for her advice on the problem. She said, “Instagram doesn’t know you. Because you aren’t ‘liking’ suggested posts or reels, the algorithm is simply sending you what it thinks you want to see (as the average American male I guess.)

So I decided to give IG the feedback it wanted. For a couple of days I “liked” every animal-related reel or suggested post… and guess what… now my feed and search page are filled with pandas, dogs, and miniature cows!

The experience (minor inconvenience) reminded me of three keys to leading a team well:

You can lead well when you know the likes and dislikes of your team.

You might think you know what each team member values, but until you listen well and ask deeper questions you’re going to miss the chance to more fully engage their talents and abilities.

You lead well when you clearly communicate what your expectations are for your team.

I kept trying to tell IG what I didn’t want. That was confusing to the algorithm because I wasn’t “liking” anything. Once I started showing it what I wanted to see, I was given more of it. How well are you showing your team what you want to see in their attitudes, work habits, and results? And more importantly, are you telling them that you like it?

You lead well when you are consistent in your actions over time.

I wanted to change one setting and get all the unwanted posts and reels to disappear from my account. Instead, I had to take specific actions over a number of days to get the outcome I sought.

It’s easy to say or do something once and hope your team rises to the occasion. That rarely happens. It’s the consistent language and your own unswerving example that will eventually have them producing the results you know they are capable of producing.

If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to go see what my connections have posted on IG… did you know pandas are born pink and have a pseudo thumb that gives them 6 fingers!?!