So You're Leaving X?

I’ve recently seen a wave of professionals making grand public declarations about leaving Twitter (now X). One colleague, someone whose strategic insight I once respected, recently joined the exodus, citing Elon Musk’s controversial comments about women as the reason. It made me pause. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: your departure doesn’t matter. If anything, it might undermine the principles you claim to stand for.

Let’s Get Real: It’s not a bold statement

For those who think leaving X is some noble, courageous stand—wake up. The world isn’t holding its breath as you hit “deactivate.” The platform is growing, not shrinking, precisely because it’s moved away from the sterile, politically correct environment it used to be. Musk’s polarizing changes attract users tired of the old regime where only the “acceptable” opinions were allowed.

Here’s the kicker: No one cares if you leave. People care about engaging in authentic, unfiltered dialogue, even if it’s uncomfortable. If you can’t handle that, maybe it’s time to question your commitment to free speech and open debate.

Freedom of Speech vs. Political Correctness

So, you’re offended by something Musk said? Guess what? Free speech isn’t supposed to be comfortable. It’s easy to support freedom of expression when it aligns with your values. The real test comes when you’re confronted with opinions that challenge you. If we’re serious about protecting free speech, that includes speech we find offensive, provocative, or downright crass.

Let’s not forget what the old Twitter did during COVID and the 2020 election—it suppressed viewpoints that didn’t fit the official narrative. Conversations around vaccine safety, lockdown effectiveness, and election integrity were censored, limiting our ability to understand what was happening. The platform we have now, flawed as it may be, at least allows for more robust debate.

If you’re genuinely interested in fostering change, you don’t retreat the moment you hear something that ruffles your feathers. Instead, you engage, you challenge, you counter-argue. Leaving doesn’t make you principled; it just makes you irrelevant.

The Role of Strategic Consultant (or lack thereof)

Let’s talk strategy. As consultants, we must navigate complexity, confront uncomfortable truths, and engage with diverse perspectives. But how can you advise clients on resilience if your response to discomfort is to exit stage left?

Donatella Versace once said, “Creativity comes from a conflict of ideas.” People who solve other people's problems but can’t handle challenging debates are, frankly, hamstrung in their professional capacity. We see this everywhere in corporate and government departments, where groupthink stifles innovation and breeds a culture of conformity.

Leaving a platform because you disagree with its owner’s comments reveals a lack of professional endurance. It suggests you’re more interested in protecting your comfort zone than grappling with the tough stuff. How is that supposed to inspire confidence in navigating a complex world?

Congratulations, You’ve Entered the Echo Chamber

By publicly announcing your departure, you're confirming your place in an echo chamber. The irony is thick: you’re fleeing to platforms that align with your worldview instead of staying to engage with those who challenge it.

The new X intentionally breaks away from that mold. Yes, it’s messy and unfiltered. But that’s the price of real dialogue. Robust debate is infinitely better for society than a sanitized conversation where dissenting voices are silenced.

Authenticity is the Future

Let’s be honest: X is growing because people are tired of fake, curated, neatly packaged content designed to fit a specific narrative. If you’re leaving because it’s too raw or unfiltered, maybe the issue isn’t the platform—it’s you.

Instead of running away, why not stay and contribute to the conversation? Use your influence to elevate the debate, challenge the prevailing narratives, and engage with those you disagree with. Real change doesn’t happen in curated, sanitized bubbles but in the messy, often uncomfortable arena of open dialogue.

Conclusion: Presence > Absence

We live in an era when open debate is essential. People are tired of being told what they can or cannot say. The willingness to engage with opposing viewpoints—even if they offend us—is the only way we can grow as individuals and as a society.

When you walk away, you’re not making a bold statement. You’re just making yourself absent. And if your voice, which could contribute so much to the conversation, is missing, then maybe it was never as impactful as you thought.

So before you hit “deactivate,” ask yourself: Are you truly standing on principle or just avoiding a conversation you can’t control?

If you’re really committed to change, don’t walk away. Lean in, debate, engage, and be present.

PS. The only thing less effective than leaving X would be announcing a sex strike or shaving your head. And let’s be clear: sex shouldn’t be weaponized, and tension often leads to better solutions or results ;). As for the head-shaving stunt—well, that just screams “ideologue” and, frankly, it’s probably redundant at this point.