Ken Cheng’s Unique Approach to Workplace Dynamics
Ken Cheng proposes an unconventional strategy to enhance workplace productivity: removing employees’ desk chairs. He suggests that standing keeps workers more alert and driven, as noted in his LinkedIn post. However, Cheng is not an actual executive proposing this idea. He is, in fact, a 35-year-old comedian based in London crafting a satirical CEO persona on LinkedIn. His profile humorously states, “I want to connect with you, emotionally :),” showcasing his parody of corporate language.
Using classic LinkedIn style, Cheng crafts his posts with an intriguing narrative structure, beginning with a personal or professional dilemma. Each thought is spaced out for impact, often culminating in a surprising resolution that purportedly leads to his success. His comedic insights touch on various absurd revelations, such as being acceptable for men to cry over the loss of tax loopholes, or how replacing salary increments with an air-hockey table boosts morale. He even entertains the notion of justifying the viewing of inappropriate material during work hours.
The Appeal of Cheng’s Satire in Professional Circles
Cheng’s eccentric humor resonates with professionals surfing their feeds, where his posts often seamlessly blend into typical corporate jargon, leading many to question their satirical nature. His followers have surged in recent months, approximately 7,000 new followers last week alone, partly due to the viral sharing of his posts on platforms like Reddit and X.
“Everyone knows someone in a position of power who seems out of depth,” Cheng stated in an interview, reflecting on the allure of his crafted persona. In a world fascinated by the eccentric behaviors of billionaire tech CEOs, the comedy partly derives from witnessing such wealthy individuals engage in unusual antics. LinkedIn emerges as a stage for observing these real-time developments.
The Transition of LinkedIn from Corporate to Comic
The quintessential LinkedIn content has evolved, welcoming comedians like Cheng who capitalize on the platform’s shift from traditional to unpredictable. It showcases a growing sense of confusion surrounding the modern definition of professionalism — a point emphasized by colleagues like Rob Price, noting the blurred understanding of what it means to be professional today.
Websites like r/LinkedInLunatics and Twitter accounts such as @BestofLinkedin underscore this shift by highlighting bizarre postings, from bosses glorifying non-traditional incentive schemes to users oversharing personal life details. These platforms capture escapades like the candid revelations of corporate chaos, including an instance where a startup worker accused the CEO of having an affair with the worker’s spouse.
A notable example of LinkedIn humor was Ryan Salame, a former executive of FTX, who humorously announced his new “role” as an inmate in a prison, poking fun at typical job update posts. Salame is serving a seven-year sentence for campaign-finance violations.
The Evolution of Workplace Humor
Workplace humor has long been a part of cultural commentary, with movies like “Office Space” and series like “The Office” becoming iconic for their critique of office culture and management archetypes. These works helped shape perceptions of office dynamics and offered solace during times of professional frustration.
However, post-pandemic, this humor has taken a sharper turn. Unlike past portrayals that often focused on mundane office life aspects, modern LinkedIn comedians — including Cheng — now target the inflated egos and apparent disconnect of corporate leaders. They question longstanding ideals of company loyalty and the relentless hustle mindset, moving beyond familiar grievances like “a case of the Mondays.”
Despite never having experienced a corporate job himself, Cheng’s disdain for hierarchical corporate structures fuels his satirical approach. He suggests that the pandemic prompted a reassessment of work priorities, echoing the sentiment that life choices now warrant deeper scrutiny.
The Broadened Appeal of Anti-Work Sentiments
The popularity of anti-work discourse has burgeoned since the pandemic, with viral conversations highlighting frustrations with poor management and unfair work conditions. Post-pandemic societal shifts led people to reevaluate their occupational engagements, propelling once-niche concerns into mainstream dialogue.
Surveys reflect this shift. In 2023, a Gallup poll revealed that only a third of U.S. workers felt engaged at work, a decline from 40% in 2020. Yet, a 2023 Pew Research Center study found relatively low dissatisfaction with bosses (11%) but higher discontent with pay (26%). The success of books critiquing work culture, alongside trends like the “Great Resignation” and “quiet quitting,” signals a willingness to reject exploitative work environments.
This anti-establishment sentiment finds momentum in cultural events and media. Comedians, like John Mulaney, critique corporates openly, highlighting the vague rhetoric often employed within companies. Such critiques have gained traction across social media platforms, with creators parodying mundane work experiences online.
The Rise of Satirical Content on LinkedIn
LinkedIn, typically earnest and professional, now finds itself the subject of humorous commentary as comedians impose their style upon the platform. Humor writer Jason Roeder, who left X to share his satirical musings on LinkedIn, notes the unexpected marriage of comedy with professional content. Replies to his posts sometimes miss the joke, offering genuine advice, which he views as endearingly sincere.
LinkedIn’s dual nature allows for storytelling from both successful and struggling perspectives, making it a space for both boastful and heartfelt content. Roth, LinkedIn’s editor in chief, acknowledges the blend of advice-laden and personality-driven content as followers seek a hint of fun among productivity updates.
Despite this, comedy’s role on LinkedIn remains a balancing act. Unlike platforms synonymous with humor, LinkedIn’s humor tends to focus on nuances of office culture. While these bursts of levity can refresh timelines, they ultimately serve LinkedIn’s core purposes: networking and self-promotion.
Cheng characterizes his posts as a valuable asset, securing him comedy performances and LinkedIn ghostwriting opportunities for actual executives. While the satire isn’t universally understood, his burgeoning audience and resulting popularity demonstrate an appetite for the authentic engagement it brings.
Amanda Hoover is a senior correspondent at Business Insider covering the tech industry. She writes about the biggest tech companies and trends. For the original article, visit Business Insider.