When To Stay Silent In Business

My parents taught me that if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all. For most of my life, I have followed that lesson closely, if not always perfectly, but every once in a while, I’ve questioned the value of this strategy.

Throughout my career, I have heard it all (very little to my face, plenty behind my back). The first thought is always that the insults, doubt, and negativity simply come with the territory. When you create something special, something that is disruptive to other business models, you place a bullseye on your back, and that’s a choice you’ve made. 

But, in response to these comments, is it always better to keep your mouth shut? Do people appreciate the restraint of the publicist mindset who says, “We wish them well” and moves on, or are more people hungry for the attack?

There is no shortage of evidence for the latter.

How do we react when a fight breaks out in a hockey game?

What accounts for the skyrocketing popularity of MMA over the past 20 years?

What do we do when the benches clear in a baseball game?

What are we hungry for in drama on TV?

Why does knife throwing in politics get the most coverage? 

Of course, we all know that when you have built something bigger and better than what others have built, you are winning. There is no need to throw a punch or create drama, because life is working well for you. 

But what if you did hit back? Would the satisfaction of sticking up for yourself be worth nothing?

When I’m tempted by that thought, I think about my business. Would it grow more? Would I be able to hire more? Would I be able to impact more? 

The answer to all those questions is always no.

And so I strive to remain above the fray. I continue to believe that killing with kindness, committing to great work, and cultivating a desire to build something amazing are the keys to success. Anyone who doubts that strategy is welcome to follow their own path, and they won’t hear a negative word from me.

None of this means I am afraid to fight, it simply means I am going to remain focused on doing great work, with the hope that the people I care about, both in business and in life, will be able to see through the negativity that those who don’t subscribe to my philosophy will inevitably hurl my way. 

To those who believe they can succeed by tearing others down, I say bring it on. While they are out talking, I’ll be here doing the work.