We often talk about the red flags in business, where we look out for things that signal that the project or product we’re presented with (or perhaps even the relationship or reputation we’re looking to build) is doomed from the very beginning.

Things are questionable, or don’t quite line up, or just don’t feel right; and we proceed with great caution.

Sometimes, we only see those red flags after the fact – or when it’s too late – thanks to the beauty of hindsight.

That’s the beauty of hindsight, I believe.

And sometimes, we talk about the green flags in business, too, where we take a more positive spin on matters, and look longingly back with smugness at our wonderfully astute decisions to go all-in with a certain person or proposition, because the signs were all there to just #LiveLaughLove.*

Of course, we often only see those flags with the beauty of hindsight, too! We’re just too proud to admit it.

And now? I’m here to talk about brown flags.

Brown flags in business are LinkedIn specific, and they’re the ones wafting at you when you can just smell that something’s off about what you’re reading on everyone’s second favourite** business platform…

Someone talking obvious bullshit – about their earnings, or lifestyle, or what people “always ask” them.

Brown Flag.

Someone crawling up a cool kid’s arse in the comments, hell-bent on the hope they’ll be noticed and invited into the inner circle of minionship.

Brown Flag.

Someone dishing out shite business advice that is blatantly not the reason for their (or indeed anyone’s) so-called success. Think ‘Diary Of A CEO’.

Brown Flag.

Someone who feeds on their own shit sandwiches. You know the type… “I lost everything, and now I have everything, but if anything, I now have too much of everything, and I long to be viewed as just a normal, humble person…”

Brown Flag.

Someone whose content you wouldn’t wipe your arse on.

Brown Flag. Though if this isn’t the first time they’ve waved it, it’s your own fault it’s still in your feed.

I’m sure you’ll be able to add more to this list – and I hope that you will. Keep this flag flying, so to speak. I’ll bet I’ve probably missed some shitters, too.

I mean sitters.

Sorry.

But until then, beware the brown flags in business, my friends.

Easy to spot… and even easier to sniff out.

And in the meantime, if you want help with any of this business stuff, or you just want to avoid the brown flags andor laugh about them, come and join me in TeamGDI – my micro-community where I can help you improve your writing for profit, purpose, or pleasure. And that includes me making sure you don’t raise any brown flags or write any shit copy and content in the process.

And if the fact that you’re still reading this piece right until the end isn’t a green flag…

*Biggest brown flag going.

**Only Fans, obviously.