If you’re an executive in finance, healthcare, legal, or pharmaceuticals, LinkedIn probably feels like a minefield.
Say the wrong thing, and compliance is on your case. Say nothing at all, and you fade into obscurity.
It’s a frustrating dilemma. You know that visibility matters. Your competitors are posting. Your peers are building influence.
But when every word is scrutinized by legal teams and industry regulators, it’s tempting to just stay silent.
Except silence is not a strategy.
If you aren’t actively shaping the conversation, you’re letting others control the narrative—for your industry, your company, and even your career.
So, how do you actually show up on LinkedIn without legal breathing down your neck?
There’s a way to do this strategically and safely—and the executives who master this stand out as the real thought leaders in their industries.
The “safe but powerful” LinkedIn playbook for executives
One of the biggest mistakes executives in regulated industries make is assuming they have nothing to say. If you can’t talk about financial performance, legal cases, patient outcomes, or pharmaceutical products, what’s left?
A lot.
In fact, some of the most engaging content on LinkedIn doesn’t require discussing confidential information at all. The key is shifting from transactional (selling, promoting) to insight-driven (educating, leading discussions).
Here’s what you can post about without triggering compliance red flags:
✅ Industry insights
Discuss macro trends, new technologies, and changes that impact your field. Example: “AI is transforming risk management in banking—how should executives prepare?”
✅ Leadership perspectives
Share lessons you’ve learned, challenges you’ve faced, and what has shaped your leadership approach. Example: “Managing a legal team in high-stakes cases: the 3 leadership principles I swear by.”
✅ Company values and culture
Showcase your team’s work, your company’s mission, or initiatives that align with your values. Example: “Proud of our team’s work in improving healthcare access for underserved communities.”
✅ Publicly available news
Comment on approved reports, industry developments, or company milestones that have already been announced. Example: “Excited to see our latest research featured in [Industry Publication]—collaboration is key in advancing medical breakthroughs.”
The key? Frame your content as insights, not promotions.
LinkedIn is a platform for ideas, not just advertisements. The more you focus on sharing perspectives and expertise, the easier it becomes to build thought leadership—without compliance looking over your shoulder.
Here’s how leaders in various sectors can effectively engage their audience while staying compliant.
Finance: Share insights, not predictions
Finance executives walk a fine line on LinkedIn. One wrong word and compliance is knocking. That’s why many leaders in finance stay quiet. But that’s a mistake.
You don’t need to make predictions or give advice to be relevant. The best finance leaders focus on educating, simplifying, and leading conversations about the industry. Here’s what works:
✅ Discuss industry shifts
Instead of “Tech stock prices are going to soar,” frame it as “The rise of AI in financial services is changing how companies assess risk. Here’s what that means for finance teams.”
✅ Break down economic trends in plain English
Limit the jargon and offer clear takeaways. For example: “Interest rates are rising. What does that mean for businesses trying to scale?”
✅ Talk about leadership and decision-making
Finance leaders deal with complex, high-pressure situations. Sharing how you navigate tough calls builds credibility.
Example: Sarah Spoja, CFO of Tipalti
Sarah Spoja understands that finance isn’t just about numbers but also about people, decisions, and long-term impact. So she:
- Keeps it real. Instead of just talking numbers, she shares insights on leadership, industry trends, and personal career growth. In one post, she reflected on stepping out of her comfort zone and embracing LinkedIn as a platform for connection.
- Engages with the finance community. When she meets with Tipalti customers and industry leaders, she shares takeaways that spark discussion—like her post on learning from top finance teams.
- Champions diversity in finance. She doesn’t just post about work, she celebrates milestones like International Women’s Day, highlighting women driving change in the industry.
Her content works because it’s approachable, insightful, and focused on real challenges finance professionals face.
What to avoid
🚫 No investment advice. “This stock is a great buy” is a no-go. Instead, talk about how investors think, not what they should do.
🚫 No confidential data. Even vague statements about upcoming earnings or financial performance can get you in trouble.
🚫 No hype or exaggeration. “This new fintech will change everything” isn’t credible. Stick to thoughtful insights.
Don’t just post numbers; post why they matter. And most importantly, be human. Numbers don’t build trust. Stories do.
Healthcare: Educate and inform without giving direct advice
If you’re a healthcare executive, you’ve probably asked yourself: How do I talk about the industry without stepping into compliance quicksand?
HIPAA makes it clear—patient privacy comes first. You can’t share case studies without consent. You can’t discuss treatments without disclaimers. And you definitely can’t give medical advice.
But that doesn’t mean you have nothing to say. Here’s what works:
✅ Talk about healthcare trends
Instead of “This new drug is a game-changer for diabetes,” try “We’re seeing a shift toward personalized medicine—how will this impact patient care?”
✅ Share leadership lessons from the field
Running a hospital? Managing a biotech startup? Share what it’s really like. Example: “One thing I wish I knew before stepping into healthcare leadership…”
✅ Promote innovation in a compliant way
You can’t say a drug cures something. But you can highlight research breakthroughs and the challenges of bringing treatments to market.
Example: John Joyo, CEO of Alafair Biosciences
John blends industry expertise with personal insights, making complex topics digestible. Instead of discussing patient cases, he focuses on:
- Company and team achievements. He recently highlighted Alafair Biosciences’ recognition on the 2023 Inc. 5000 list, reinforcing industry credibility without discussing specific treatments.
- Community and values. He engages with his audience on broader topics, like honoring Veterans Day, showing leadership beyond just the business side of healthcare.
His approach works because it’s engaging, relevant, and completely compliance-friendly. Read our case study on him.
What to avoid
🚫 No patient cases without consent. Even if you anonymize details, be careful—it only takes one identifier to violate HIPAA.
🚫 No unverified claims. If a new treatment is showing promise, stick to the facts and link to peer-reviewed sources.
🚫 No direct medical advice. Even a casual “you should try this” in the comments is risky. Keep it general.
Your job on LinkedIn isn’t to diagnose but to educate, start conversations, and advocate for better healthcare.
Legal: Simplify the complex without giving advice
Most lawyers on LinkedIn either sound like a legal textbook or stay silent to avoid compliance risks.
But the best ones know how to break things down, make law accessible, and start real conversations. Here’s how:
✅ Turn legal trends into plain English
Instead of “Amendment 5 of the XYZ Act introduces new fiduciary obligations in securities law compliance,” try “New regulations are making it tougher for financial advisors. Here’s what you need to know.”
✅ Tell stories from your career
The best-performing legal content isn’t about statutes but about people, lessons learned, and challenges overcome.
✅ Engage with real-world issues
The legal profession is changing fast. Topics like AI in law, privacy regulations, and access to justice get attention because they impact more than just lawyers.
Example: Robert Ambrogi, lawyer and legal tech expert
Robert Ambrogi is proof that lawyers don’t have to sound like legal textbooks to build a presence on LinkedIn.
- He talks about AI without the hype. When a judge ruled that AI hallucinations in legal cases weren’t an excuse, he broke it down in a way that made sense to anyone—not just lawyers.
- He jumps into big conversations. When lawyers started moving to new social platforms after Twitter’s decline, he didn’t just report it, he asked what it meant for the industry.
- He makes legal tech easy to understand. Instead of throwing buzzwords around, he shows how tools like Clearbrief actually help lawyers work smarter.
Robert’s content works because he doesn’t try to sound like a law professor. He just talks like a person.
What to avoid
🚫 Giving direct legal advice. If someone asks, “Should I sue my employer?” don’t answer. Instead, point them to general legal resources.
🚫 Oversharing client cases. Even if the case is public, behind-the-scenes details can land you in trouble.
🚫 Making absolute claims. Saying “This strategy will win your case” isn’t just risky—it makes you sound like you’re selling something.
People don’t come to LinkedIn for free legal consultations. They come to understand the industry, hear fresh perspectives, and connect with experts who make law feel less intimidating.
Pharmaceuticals: Focus on science, not sales
Pharmaceutical executives face some of the strictest regulations when it comes to public communication. The FDA, EMA, and other regulatory bodies closely monitor what can be said about medications, clinical trials, and drug efficacy.
One wrong post could mean compliance violations, investor scrutiny, or even regulatory action. But you don’t need to sell a drug to build thought leadership. Here’s what works:
✅ Talk about the bigger picture in healthcare
Instead of “This new drug is a game-changer for diabetes,” try “We’re seeing a shift toward personalized medicine—how will this impact patient care?” This sparks discussion without mentioning specific products.
✅ Share insights on innovation and R&D
Example: “One of the biggest challenges in drug development? The time it takes to bring life-saving treatments to market. Here’s how we can change that.”
✅ Highlight patient-centric approaches
While you can’t promote specific drugs, you can talk about how the industry is improving patient outcomes. Example: “Why pharma needs to move beyond the pill and focus on holistic patient care.”
Example: Albert Bourla, CEO of Pfizer
Albert Bourla provides a great example of how pharma leaders can engage on LinkedIn while staying compliant. Instead of making product claims, he focuses on:
- Scientific contributions and innovation. He shares updates on Pfizer’s research, such as presenting over 50 scientific abstracts at the European Society for Medical Oncology’s Annual Meeting, reinforcing the company’s role in advancing medicine.
- Leadership and career advice. He frequently posts insights for young professionals and interns, helping to shape the next generation of healthcare leaders.
- Global health awareness. He honors leaders like President Carter for their contributions to eradicating diseases, aligning his content with broader industry discussions rather than product promotion.
His posts work because they educate, inspire, and engage—without crossing compliance lines.
What to avoid
🚫 No direct product promotion. Even stating, “Our drug is the best treatment for X” can trigger compliance issues.
🚫 No unverified claims. Stick to peer-reviewed research and approved information.
🚫 No discussing off-label uses. If a drug is FDA-approved for one condition, don’t mention any other potential applications.
LinkedIn isn’t for selling drugs, it’s for leading conversations about science, innovation, and patient impact.
Final thought on LinkedIn for regulated industries
Many executives in regulated industries assume that staying quiet is the safest option. But silence has its own risks. It creates a vacuum—one that competitors and misinformation will gladly fill.
Thought leadership isn’t about revealing secrets or making risky claims; it’s about showing up, shaping conversations, and earning trust over time. The leaders who do this well don’t just react to industry shifts, they define them.
Compliance isn’t the enemy of visibility. The most effective executives know how to navigate regulations while still making an impact. Staying silent doesn’t protect you; it just makes you invisible. Your expertise deserves to be seen. Let’s make sure it is.
If you want to build a LinkedIn presence that’s both strategic and compliant, reach out to Column today. Let your expertise work for you, not against you.
