We create our lists of excellent executive LinkedIn profiles to show what is possible when C-Suite executives use LinkedIn well.
For each list, we review hundreds of profiles. Every profile is reviewed manually. We look at the profile itself, the executive’s recent posts, the quality of their positioning, and the way their presence supports their role.
We look for executives who are using LinkedIn in interesting ways, and who truly stand out. Each list has people who have taken very different approaches. We want to show a range of what’s possible and what is working now.
Every profile isn’t perfect. LinkedIn is always evolving, and strong executives often have one or two sections that could be better. But the overall presence needs to be strong enough that other executives can learn from it.
Note: Most of the executives in our lists are in the technology industry. We specialize in tech, and tech executives tend to be more sophisticated in their use of LinkedIn. But we occasionally include executives outside of tech because we found their presence particularly compelling.
What we consider required
For a profile to be considered an excellent example, we expect to see the major sections of LinkedIn used well:
- A high-quality profile photo
- A relevant cover photo (background image)
- A clear headline with keywords and specifics that build credibility
- An About section that tells the story of who they are, what they have accomplished, and how they are using LinkedIn
- At least one item in the Featured section
- Meaningful details in the Experience section for each role, with their responsibilities and their accomplishments
- Education
- At least 500 connections
- Regular, meaningful posts
- Engagement
The richer and more intentional these sections are, the stronger the profile.
We also look for profiles that use other LinkedIn sections well, including Honors & Awards, Patents, Licenses & Certifications, Publications, Volunteer Experience, Organizations, Languages, Projects, Services, and Recommendations.
How we evaluate LinkedIn activity
We evaluate posts in the context of the executive’s role.
- For CEOs, we look for vision, judgment, culture, market perspective, company momentum, and leadership.
- For CFOs, we look for financial discipline and long-term viability. A strong CFO presence reinforces that the company is well managed, thoughtful about capital, and built to last.
- For COOs, we look for operational discipline. Strong COO posts show how the company executes at scale, how work gets done, and how the team delivers consistently. COOs can also be powerful champions of employees.
- For CMOs, we look for visibility, voice, market relevance, and momentum. A strong CMO models how the company should show up externally.
- For CROs and sales leaders, we look for customer insight. Strong posts show what buyers care about, how needs are shifting, and why customers choose the company and stay.
- For Chief Product Officers, we look for product thinking. Strong posts show how customer needs influence roadmap decisions and how the product evolves through real-world use.
- For Chief AI Officers, we look for practical substance. Strong posts move beyond AI hype and show how AI is being used, governed, adopted, and measured.
- For Chief Strategy Officers, we look for a clear view of where the company is going and why. Strong posts connect market trends, competitive moves, and internal decisions into a forward-looking narrative.
- For CHROs, we look for a clear talent philosophy. Strong posts make culture tangible. They show how leaders are developed, how people grow, and why strong people stay.
- For CIOs, we look for technology leadership that is tied to business outcomes. Strong CIO posts show how technology supports growth, resilience, security, productivity, customer experience, and better decision-making.
- For CISOs, we look for the ability to translate complex risk into business impact. Strong posts show that security is proactive, embedded, and taken seriously by leadership.
- For Chief Sustainability Officers, we look for credibility over slogans. Strong posts show measurable progress, real initiatives, operational trade-offs, and accountability.
- For Chief Data Officers, we look for evidence that data is treated as a strategic asset. Strong posts show how data drives decisions, unlocks insight, and creates competitive advantage.
- For Chief Customer Officers, we look for the voice of the customer. Strong posts show how feedback shapes decisions, how loyalty is earned, and how the company learns from customers over time.
What makes a profile truly excellent
The strongest executive LinkedIn profiles establish credibility quickly, make the executive’s expertise easy to understand, and show the person’s leadership style. The uniqueness of who they are comes through and makes them stand out.
Their presence helps the right people decide whether they want to follow, work with, hire, partner with, invest in, or learn from that executive.
For them, LinkedIn is an essential leadership tool, and they wield it effectively.