There’s a lot of crazy shit happening in the world. It’s enough to make us ordinary humans despair.

And whilst I’ve seen intelligent (and not so intelligent) discussions between individuals on Facebook and Twitter, it kind of feels like the elephant in the room when we move into a professional or business environment.

Whatever you do, don’t speak religion or politics

We’ve all been there.

At the dinner party when someone dares to venture into one of these murky realms and everyone starts to shift in their seat uncomfortably. The unspoken consensus is that it’s okay to have opinions, but ‘this’ isn’t the place to bring them up.

And it makes sense that different environments (or platforms) are suited to different types of discussion and interaction.

In the business oriented environment of LinkedIn, topics like politics or religion are considered somewhat taboo – lest you offend a future employer or customer.

But in a world where more and more of our interactions have moved online. And you can find out so much about a person through a google or facebook search, does such carefulness and self-censorship actually pay off?

Should we be scared of posting on any digital forum, lest it be used against us at a later date? Or should we just stand up and own our beliefs and values?

And as entrepreneurs how concerned should we be about what we share personally? Particularly when so much of our business and brand is our personality.

Like the issues we are debating, I think there’s no black or white answer. Whichever way we proceed we are most definitely in the murky world of grey.

So, here are some questions you might want to consider when you make a decision.

1. Do you have a moral responsibility to stand for something?

Do you want to live in a world where everyone goes around scared to offend eachother?

I’m definitely not advocating that we go around shouting at people who think differently from us. But it seems like maybe, the current state of the world might be down to the majority of people staying silent and minding their own business while the crazy people are going off their heads left and right of us.

So perhaps there is something to be said for saying our piece and being prepared to stand by it.

2. What is it you stand for?

You have a better idea than me what you stand for. But the key thing to remember is that you should be clear what you’re making a stand for.

You can’t save the entire world, or support every cause or campaign that floats by. That sort of approach will only confuse people, and sully the impact your opinions could have.

But if there is something you care about deeply, and you can talk about it in an intelligent and considered manner, then my experience has been that people will stop to listen – even if they don’t agree completely with what you are saying.

3. Can you frame it in a positive way?

Love trumps hatred.

It’s never cool to attack anyone. Whether you’re a business or an individual, there is no greater turn off than hatred. And sometimes you can make a better statement through your work or actions than you ever could through rhetoric.

In the past, I worked for large corporations, whose values definitely didn’t align with mine. But in creating The Good Alliance, I’ve drawn a line in the sand and clearly said no more to this type of work.

I now help people who are doing good – either by improving lives, relationships or communities – to create a deeper and wider impact.

But note that the focus of my message is not ‘anti’ corporations, it is ‘pro’ the little guys.

4. What do you stand to lose?

When your business is small, and you’re dependent on your clients to pay the rent and put food on your table, you should definitely consider whether you’ll lose business.

Because the truth is, you could.

I certainly experienced an initial drop in income when I stopped working with the big boys. But to me, the emotional energy this choice has freed up has been more than worth the loss.

And with a considered strategy, I’m on my way to restoring (and even surpassing) that income in a way that makes me feel good every day.

5. What do you stand to gain?

I don’t know about you, but I went into business for myself because I wanted to make a difference and do things my way. So, while I’d never attack or deliberately offend my clients. I’ve also come to understand that not everyone is – or should be – my client.

The entire brand building process hinges on accurately defining and understanding who your ideal customers are AND who your ideal customers are not.

So from that context, it should become very easy to work out who you should or shouldn’t care about offending. And what it is you should or shouldn’t share.

My experience time and time again is that when you’re clear about who you are and what you stand for, you’ll attract clients and supporters who feel the same way. And they’ll have a much stronger affinity and loyalty to you and your business.

So what’s your opinion?

Do you think I’m talking a load of idealistic crap?

Or do you resonate with what I’m saying?

Have you taken a stand on something that’s important to you? And if so, what were the consequences? And if you haven’t, what would you consider taking a stand on?