I made a commitment to myself a few years ago that I should risk publicly sharing unpopular views at least once a month.
Last month, I posted an essay reflecting on how the vaccinated majority disparage the unvaccinated minority and called for more compassion and curiosity. While I was still writing, an unvaccinated friend asked me, “Are you putting your business at risk with this op-ed?” He’s also an entrepreneur.
I did get some angry responses. Others told me I put into words things they had been feeling. More unvaccinated people revealed their status to me and shared their experiences.
One vaccinated friend messaged me about my interactions with those who aren’t vaccinated, “Do you secretly judge them? Or are you staying open-minded? Do your own choices impact how you view them? Or when you hear a story like that, can you stay neutral?”
I took a moment before responding, “I stay curious.”
Here are some questions for you to consider:
What is your benchmark for how frequently you should risk upsetting others by revealing an unpopular opinion?
