I thought being misunderstood was just part of success. That if people doubted you or misjudged you, it meant you were doing something bold. And while there’s some truth in that, the reality is: being misunderstood is difficult. Especially when your intentions are good.
I’ve been misunderstood more times than I can count. Whether it was about who I am, why we built BE Club, or how we run our business, there have been moments when people saw the surface, made assumptions, and walked away with the wrong picture.
At first, I wanted to correct everyone. I wanted to explain, prove, defend. But over time, I learned that sometimes, the best lessons come from silence, from patience, and from letting your work speak.
So here’s what being misunderstood has taught me… not just as an entrepreneur or leader, but as a person.
People see through their own lens
Everyone’s walking around with their own set of experiences, fears, beliefs, and expectations. And when they look at you, they’re not always seeing you; they’re seeing what you represent to them.
To some, success looks suspicious. To others, ambition looks like arrogance. If someone’s been burned before, they might project that onto you. That’s not always fair, but it’s human.
I’ve learned not to take it personally. It’s not always about me. And that shift in mindset has made me more compassionate, both towards other and myself.
Silence is a response
There were times I wanted to respond to every rumor, every comment, every bit of misjudgement. But the more I matured, the more I realized that explaining yourself to people who don’t want to understand is a never-ending game.
The truth is, results speak louder. Consistency speaks louder. Time speaks louder.
I stopped trying to win arguments and started focusing on building things that last. Eventually, the right people notice… and the wrong ones fade out.
Vulnerability is a strength
I used to see vulnerability as a weakness. I thought I had to show up strong, confident, and untouchable. However, trying to be bulletproof is exhausting. And honestly, it’s not real.
Being misunderstood showed me the power of honesty: “I don’t have all the answers.” It taught me that strength isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being authentic.
And once I allowed myself to be more open, something interesting happened. People connected more. Not to the image, but to me as a person.
Criticism isn’t always hate
This one took me a while to get. Not everyone who questions you is against you. Not every piece of feedback is an attack.
Sometimes, being misunderstood is a sign that you haven’t communicated clearly enough. Or that there’s a gap between your intention and your execution. I’ve learned to listen to that with curiosity.
There’s a difference between haters and those who just don’t get it yet. And separating the two has helped me grow a lot faster.
Not everyone needs to get it
This might be the biggest lesson of all: not everyone is supposed to understand your journey.
We live in a time where everyone has an opinion. But you don’t have to live according to those opinions. What matters most is staying aligned with your own values, your own vision.
If I had waited for everyone to “get” me before moving forward, BE Club would have never been born. I wouldn’t have taken the risks I did. I wouldn’t be where I am.
Some people only understand what you’re doing after it works. That’s okay. Let them catch up when they’re ready.
It made me a better leader
Being misunderstood taught me how to lead better. It made me more aware of how I show up, how I communicate, and how I treat people, even when they don’t treat me the same.
It also made me more focused. When you stop trying to be understood by everyone, you free up a lot of mental space. You focus on who does get it. On who you’re here to serve. On the people who believe in you even when the rest of the world is confused.
And that clarity? It changes everything.
Maybe you’re building something that no one around you gets. Maybe people have made comments, judged your intentions, or doubted your direction. If that’s you, I want you to know this: you’re not alone.
Some of the greatest breakthroughs are born in silence. Some of the best leaders were misunderstood long before they were celebrated. Keep going.
Stay kind. Stay focused. Let your actions do the talking. In the end, the people meant to understand you will. And more importantly, you will understand yourself better than ever before.
