The Cost of Taking Sides

For years, I believed that taking a side meant strength.

That standing firm, choosing one position, and defending it at all costs was the way to make an impact.

Then, I watched my father.

For years, I saw him as someone who didn’t take a stand. He wasn’t passive, but he didn’t pick a side like others did.

I misunderstood that as a weakness.

But I was so wrong.

He wasn’t avoiding action; he was navigating the world differently.

He saw beyond sides, beyond labels. He helped people not because they aligned with him but because they were human.

Like the doctor in The Bridge on the River Kwai, who helped all—friend or enemy—while others fought and fell around him.

In the end, only the navigator walked away.

Taking sides without curiosity kills possibilities. It drains your energy, forcing you to defend a position instead of exploring better solutions.

Ask yourself: Are you taking a stand or just picking a side?

If you’ve been feeling stuck in “right vs. wrong” thinking, let’s talk. There’s another way. 👇