"You are a fraud on Linkedin"

His comeback was brilliant

Hello friends,

I wrapped up the "Visibility Playbook" last week, and one of my coaching clients shared an interesting story with me.

Someone called him a fraud for posting on LinkedIn.

I can’t wait to share what happened with you — and why his response might change how you think about online criticism.

Alright, so he is a tech executive who shared how AI has transformed his coding approach. Pretty common stuff these days, right? While most people supported him, some tech leaders called him a fraud. They claimed AI is just a fad and that he was misleading people.

So, I asked him: "How do you feel about this?"

His answer completely surprised me.

"I actually see these comments as high-quality engagement. Strong resistance is just as powerful as strong agreement - because I made them FEEL something. I challenged their status quo."

This hit hard. In my coaching program, I teach people how to write technical content online that makes readers feel something - curiosity, recognition, even mild disagreement. But watching my client apply this mindset to actual criticism? That was next-level thinking.

He didn't see haters. He saw people having a strong emotional reaction to his ideas.

Here's what's really happening behind those angry comments:

A lot of people are resisting the changes AI brings to our industry. And what's driving that resistance? Fear. Insecurity. Worry that their expertise might become obsolete.

When someone calls you a "fraud" for embracing AI tools, they're not really attacking you. They're defending their own identity and career investment.

Or they simply don't like change.

Instead of arguing with the critics in the comments, my client did something brilliant. He DMed them privately, suggested coffee chats, and asked if they were open to hearing his perspective.

This is real leadership - welcoming people who disagree with you into the conversation. Instead of seeing them as haters, he tried to help them and connect with them.

This is what happens when you share your genuine opinions online: you venture into unknown territory first. And that unknown is going to scare some people.

They might disagree with you. They might even attack you.

But that's exactly the point —

Building your presence online isn't about going viral or getting everyone to love you. It's about having real impact on the people who need to hear your message.

When you share your genuine perspective - especially about controversial topics like AI in tech - you're essentially saying, "I'm willing to go first into uncertain territory."

That act of courage gives others permission to do the same. Some people will follow your lead. Others will challenge you. Both reactions mean you've moved the conversation forward.

When I went from being a quiet senior data scientist at Amazon to having 300,000 followers on LinkedIn, I faced criticism, too. But here's what happened over time: I got invited to speak at conferences, companies try to hire me for unique roles tailored to my skill sets, and education platforms invite me to create courses.

The opportunities are unlimited when you stop hiding your expertise and start sharing your perspective boldly.

This client also transitioned from being scared to post online to creating blogs, building websites, and engaging executives with his content. He's on track to launch his own product soon.

All because he reframed criticism as opportunities for engagement and connection.

Now, if you're tired of being invisible at work while watching louder voices get all the opportunities, it's time to stop hiding your expertise.

The AI era rewards individuals who can clearly communicate their value and build genuine relationships — not just those who can write the most effective algorithms.

Ready to find your voice and create your competitive edge? I'm looking for 12 people to join my next DS/ML Career Accelerator, where we work on communication skills, personal branding, and designing your competitive edge.

I’ll share more details with those who qualify. Apply in the survey below if you want to get in early ( < 2 mins):

Your expertise deserves to be seen,

Daliana

P.S. I'm moving some of my content to Substack, and that’s why you are reading this newsletter in this format. Leave a comment or reply to me directly!