How the Fear of Being Cancelled Is Affecting Your Leadership
????Topsie VandenBosch, LMSW
Helping Leaders & Organizations Create Authentic, High-Trust Workplace Cultures | Speaker | Emotional Intelligence Practitioner | Forbes Contributor
Have you ever stopped yourself from speaking up—not because you didn’t have something to say, but because you were afraid of saying the wrong thing?
Maybe it was a meeting where you held back an idea because you weren’t sure how it would land. Or a social media post you deleted halfway through writing because you worried it could be taken out of context.
Most people aren’t silent because they’re out of ideas. They’re silent because they’re afraid of the consequences of being misunderstood.
I get it. We live in a time where one misstep can feel like a death sentence for your credibility. Mistakes are often weaponized, and the expectation of perfection feels suffocating.
But here’s the truth: The fear of being cancelled isn’t really about being silenced—it’s about the deeper fear of being judged, misunderstood, and rejected for what you truly believe.
Why This Fear Is Keeping Thoughtful Leaders Stuck
When you let the fear of being misunderstood run the show, a few things happen:
Every decision feels high-stakes. Every word feels loaded. And before long, perfection becomes the standard.
In a time when calling people out has replaced meaningful dialogue, the pressure to appear untouchable can make it feel easier to stay quiet. But here’s the thing: Your silence won’t protect you.
Instead, it disconnects you from the people who need your perspective the most.
How to Navigate the Fear of Being Cancelled
The good news? You don’t need to be perfect to lead.
Here are three shifts to help you navigate this fear with confidence and integrity:
1?? Anchor Yourself in Your Values
When you’re clear on what you stand for, you’ll find the courage to stand behind your words—even if not everyone agrees. Ask yourself: What matters to me so deeply that I’m willing to risk being misunderstood to say it?
2?? Stop Trying to Be Untouchable
You don’t need to be untouchable. You're human, and you have emotions. You're allowed to feel and process what you need to. But I would argue that you need to be unshakable. When your leadership is rooted in emotional intelligence skills and personal responsibility, you’re not afraid of being “called out.” Instead, you embrace it as an opportunity to grow.
3?? Build Emotional Skills
Self-awareness, resilience, and accountability are the greatest tools you can have as a leader. They allow you to stand firm in your truth—even when the noise around you gets loud.
The Bottom Line
Cancel culture thrives on fragility. But when you’re transparent, accountable, and grounded in your values, you’re not fragile—you’re steady.
You’re the kind of leader who can tell the cancel mob to give it their best shot—because you know who you are, and you’re not afraid to own your growth.
Reflection Questions
1. When was the last time you hesitated to speak up because of the fear of being misunderstood? What opportunities did you miss as a result?
2. What values matter so deeply to you that you’re willing to stand by them, even if they’re challenged?
3. How can you practice accountability and transparency in a way that strengthens your leadership, not weakens it?
4. What emotional skills—like resilience or self-awareness—could you develop to feel more grounded in your voice?
In the comments, share your thoughts and a-ha moments after reading this! I’d love to hear how you’re navigating the fear of being cancelled by others, and what steps you’re taking to reclaim your authentic voice.
See you in the next newsletter!