People are beautifully complicated.

No one likes being reduced to a monolith—defined by just one aspect of who they are, what they believe, or how they feel. Yet, it happens all the time. Assumptions creep in, often unspoken yet still very loud (and sometimes even spoken out loud): “If you’re part of this group, you must think, feel, or act this way.” This week alone, I’ve already been in two different groups where something like this was stated out loud, and it is only Wednesday.

When we make these assumptions, especially in a room full of diverse individuals, we risk alienating people. We diminish their complexity. Worse, we block the opportunity for real connection.

This lack of curiosity doesn’t just harm relationships; it creates division. It’s also inaccurate and unkind.

People are beautifully complicated. The world is a tangled, messy web of experiences and beliefs. Life cannot—and must not—be boxed into two opposing sides. To do so is not just short-sighted; it’s a disservice to humanity.

Courage isn’t pretending you know how someone feels because of one part of their identity. Courage is choosing curiosity, nuance, and the willingness to engage in real conversations.