In a recent LinkedIn post, entrepreneur Justin Welsh discusses the detrimental effects of “playing small” to avoid making others uncomfortable, arguing that this approach ultimately stifles personal and professional growth. Welsh shares his own journey, reflecting on years where he deliberately held back his true opinions and aspirations.
The Cost of Comfort
Welsh recounts his past hesitation to express his real thoughts or take necessary risks, attributing it to a fear of causing discomfort to those around him – his boss, family, and coworkers. He admits that while he rationalized this as being considerate, the underlying reason was fear of judgment, questioning, or being perceived as selfish. This self-imposed limitation, he explains, led to a state of stagnation.
“I convinced myself I was being considerate. But really? I was scared. Scared they’d judge me. Scared they’d question me. Scared they’d think I was selfish.”
He elaborates on this period, stating, “So I stayed small. And nothing happened. I didn’t grow. They didn’t grow. We all just stayed comfortable.” This passage highlights his realization that maintaining the status quo for the comfort of others was counterproductive to any meaningful advancement.
Embracing Discomfort for Growth
The turning point for Welsh, as detailed in his post, came at age 38 when he decided to abandon this pattern. He began “building in public,” sharing his authentic thoughts and pursuing what he deemed truly important. This shift, as expected, led to discomfort among some individuals.
Navigating Reactions
Welsh acknowledges the varied reactions he faced, noting that “Some people got REAL uncomfortable. Some questioned my choices. Some stopped talking to me. Some called in ‘cringe.'” However, he draws a critical distinction: the people who were made uneasy by his growth were not those who were genuinely supportive of his journey.
“But the people who got uncomfortable were never rooting for me anyway. The people who mattered? They showed up stronger than ever.”
He posits that true supporters not only tolerate but are strengthened by an individual’s authentic pursuit of their goals. This perspective reframes the discomfort caused by growth not as a negative outcome, but as a clarifying filter for relationships.
Results of Authenticity
Reflecting on the six years following this decision, Welsh points to significant achievements, including building a business that has generated over $11 million and cultivating an audience of over 800,000 followers, leading to what he describes as “total freedom.” He directly advises his audience:
“Stop shrinking to keep others comfortable! Your growth will make some people uneasy. Let it.”
Welsh concludes by emphasizing that personal and professional growth often requires a degree of discomfort from those around us, and that embracing this is essential for unlocking potential and achieving substantial success.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Justin Welsh on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on December 9, 2025 | View original post on LinkedIn →