I saw a first-level connection announce his new job. Should I congratulate him or stay silent? I normally send a personalized note because IMHO it’s the right thing to do.

But on second thought about this first level connection, who is he?

Wait…why did I connect to him 8 years ago? I really do not have any idea.

It reminded me of my recent work anniversary as a LinkedIn coach. I received warm wishes from the usual suspects, but many were from people whose names I did not recognize.

Now I know some of you are thinking I am being a curmudgeon and not appreciating the time the unknowns took to jot a quick note, click a pre-formatted easily offered by LinkedIn, or click (my dreaded) clappy hands emoji. Who are they and why am I making an impact on them?

The empty feeling I had from so many unknown people congratulating me made me feel hollow, and echoed in my head,: why do they care? Why did they write why did they click?

You can think whatever you want of my take on this.

So I stored that feeling. Today I will not congratulate a person I do not know for a new job.

My wishes would be of no value, like yelling into a LinkedIn abyss and expecting something back other than my words.

I did take the next step and disconnected from him, and yes, I am still following him, but I had to be true to myself and to him. Connections are a privilege in my estimation, as I said 10+ years ago on this blog, neither easily awarded nor taken for granted, for one or more years, for no memory of any comments and conversations.

BTW, no one gets a notice on LinkedIn when you disconnect. The only thing they (might) see is that you have dropped from a first- to a second-level connection.

I am cool with my actions. You may or may not be.

Tell me why, or why not. Or like many of you, you will not comment.

There, challenge issued. Call to action, people.

Criticize me or laud me, but please don’t ignore this paradigm I am suggesting you adopt.