When the Dog Outruns the Horse: Why Direction Beats Speed on LinkedIn
- Or Bar Cohen
- Oct 20
- 3 min read
We’ve all seen it happen - someone charges ahead at full speed, confident they’re leading the race, only to be quietly surpassed by someone who took a smarter path. In a short video that recently went viral, a horse gallops freely across a field, powerful, graceful, unstoppable.
Moments later, a dog joins the run, weaving alongside. The horse’s power is undeniable, but the dog’s agility changes the game. By the end, the dog - not the horse - crosses the finish first.
This scene isn’t just charming. It’s a perfect metaphor for how many professionals and companies behave on LinkedIn: running fast, but not always in the right direction.
The Illusion of Speed in the Digital Race
Many LinkedIn users focus on posting more rather than posting smarter. They chase virality, push quantity over quality, and mistake activity for progress. But as research in social cognition shows, audiences don’t just remember what you post — they remember why and how you communicate (Wyer & Srull, 2014).
A fast feed full of random posts is like a horse running wildly across an open field. Impressive? Maybe. Strategic? Not at all . In contrast, a consistent and thoughtful strategy - like the dog’s deliberate pacing - ensures that every move brings you closer to your goals.
From Movement to Momentum
Direction requires clarity. Before writing a single post, ask yourself:
Who am I speaking to? (Define your target audience.)
What transformation am I offering? (Knowledge, opportunity, inspiration, or partnership.)
What tone represents my professional brand?
These questions align with Goffman’s (1959) concept of impression management: the idea that we all perform a professional identity online. On LinkedIn, your “performance” isn’t a single post — it’s the narrative that connects them all. People don’t follow you for one viral moment; they follow you because your direction makes sense.
Practical Tips to Set the Right Direction
Start small, but plan long-term. Think in themes, not individual posts.
Engage with purpose. Comment and connect with people whose values align with yours.
Track resonance, not reach. Measure saves, comments, and genuine conversations — not just impressions.
Adjust your course. If your audience shifts, evolve your message instead of speeding up your posting rate.
When you align your digital steps with clear intent, your content gains momentum — not just movement.
Beyond the Algorithm: The Human Map
LinkedIn’s algorithm may favor consistency, but human connection favors authenticity. Research on digital trust (Bente et al., 2008) shows that consistent, humanized communication builds credibility faster than frequency alone.
In other words:👉 The best strategy isn’t to run faster than everyone else, it’s to run toward something meaningful, with others running beside you.
Just like the horse and the dog, success on LinkedIn isn’t about who started first. It’s about who found their rhythm, connection, and direction.
References
Bente, G., Rüggenberg, S., Krämer, N. C., & Eschenburg, F. (2008). Avatar‐mediated networking: Increasing social presence and interpersonal trust in net‐based collaborations. Human Communication Research, 34(2), 287–318.
Goffman, E. (1959). The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life. Anchor Books.
Wyer, R. S., & Srull, T. K. (2014). Social Cognition: The Effect of Information Structure on Judgment. Psychology Press.
Kaplan, A. M., & Haenlein, M. (2010). Users of the world, unite! The challenges and opportunities of Social Media. Business Horizons, 53(1), 59–68.
Granovetter, M. (1973). The strength of weak ties. American Journal of Sociology, 78(6), 1360–1380.
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