The Art of Keeping Your Mouth Shut

Over the last few weeks, I’ve seen several posts from local businesses or videos of business owners that blew back on them in public opinion.

Videos that told people “we don’t want your kind here,” or videos of business owners verbally abusing others…I cringed watching them and reading the comments of the public on the posts and reposts.

Look. I’m a staunch defender of the First Amendment.

We have the right to free speech.

The right to speak our mind.

The right to express our opinions, religious beliefs, and to draw a line in the sand and say “You will not cross this line with me and my business.”

However.

While we as Americans have the right of free speech, we are not immune to the consequences of what we say in public, as a small business owner, you will rarely see me post anything that is political or controversial.

Why?

Because my clients make up an amazing and diverse mix of political and cultural ideas.

As an attorney representing people of different faiths, political beliefs, and viewpoints, if I post anything political or controversial on my personal or professional social media pages, I run the risk of alienating or telling half my client mix that they are not welcome in my firm.

My job as an attorney is to be the best advocate for my clients.

Not to force feed them my own personal beliefs.

So as we read the controversial posts or watch those videos of business owners who “let it all hang out” on social media…I want to remind them of one thing.

You absolutely, unequivocally, and completely have the right to free speech.

But as a business owner, when those same public proclamations have the very real consequence of alienating our community and shutting our business doors…isn’t it more mature…more reasonable…and more ethical to realize that there is value in keeping our mouths shut?