The FOPO Trap: How Fear Of Others’ Opinions Undermines Innovation And Growth

We’re standing at the edge of a longoverdue cultural shift. For years, FOMO, or fear of missing out, has dominated our social vocabulary, reflecting our anxiety over not being where the action is. But now, a new acronym is rising, and it cuts deeper: FOPO, or fear of other people’s opinions.

Coined more recently but rooted in ancient survival instincts, FOPO encapsulates our fear of criticism, judgment, or rejection. While FOMO pulls us toward the crowd, FOPO keeps us stuck in performing, perfecting, and playing small for fear of what “they” might think.

For entrepreneurs, leaders, and startup founders, FOPO can be toxic. When your livelihood depends on innovation, visibility, and risk-taking, the paralysis caused by FOPO doesn’t just hinder your own personal growth, it also threatens overall business innovation.

This Isn't New—But It's Getting Worse 

At first glance, FOPO might feel like a repackaging of something old. Isn’t worrying about others’ opinions a universal rite of passage, especially in our teenage years? Haven’t we always been wired to seek belonging and fear exclusion?

Our ancestors depended on group approval to survive because rejection from the tribe once meant literal danger. And our social conditioning has always started early, with infants learning to read facial expressions, and children learning to associate approval with safety and rejection with pain. This wiring doesn’t just disappear in adulthood.

But today’s version of FOPO is more intrusive, more persistent, and potentially more destructive—especially in the age of social media and hyperconnected visibility.

The Social Media Effect: FOPO On Steroids 

Where we once feared gossip whispered behind our backs, we now dread public opinion broadcast on digital platforms. Social media has elevated the power of other people’s opinions to a whole new level:

Curated Realities 

Instagram and LinkedIn showcase only the highlights—successes, milestones, aesthetics. This distorts our baseline, making others seem more accomplished, admired, and accepted than they really are. 24/7

Feedback Loops 

We live in an “always-on” environment. Posts, reels, selfies, and startup wins are met with likes, shares, or silence. Every click becomes a vote on our self-worth.

External Validation Addication 

With algorithms rewarding engagement, many founders end up creating for approval, not authenticity. They pivot ideas to chase praise or water down their mission to avoid pushbacks.

What’s worse? FOPO thrives in the visual realm. Unlike words, images trigger emotional responses instantly. A single photo of a competitor’s speaking gig, a fully-booked workshop, or a product launch can send anyone spiraling into doubt, even if they were confident five minutes ago.

Gen Z Is Calling It Out 

There’s hope though. Generation Z—those born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s—are rejecting the toxicity of judgment in unprecedented ways. They’re dismantling body shaming, questioning beauty standards, and pushing back against outdated norms of success. Influencers with realness, and not perfection, are gaining traction.

Gen Z is leading the way in naming the problem. They’ve grown up amid body positivity, inclusivity, and authenticity campaigns. They’re less concerned about toning up and more concerned with showing up as they are. FOPO hasn’t disappeared for them, but they’re attempting to refuse to let it rule. Entrepreneurs would be wise to follow their lead.

How FOPO Sabotages Founders And Business Leaders 

At a personal level, FOPO can create hesitation—but at an organizational level, it’s a growth inhibitor:

> Founders may second-guess bold decisions.

> Leaders may avoid necessary but unpopular conversations.

> Creators may dilute originality to chase applause.

> Teams may stagnate from overconsensus and under-expression.

To put it simply, you can’t build a disruptive product, launch a bold brand, or lead a team through uncertainty while shackled by the fear of judgment.

How To Defeat FOPO: From Inner Work To Tactical Tools

Combating FOPO doesn’t start with quick hacks, it starts with deep clarity. Knowing who you are and what you stand for lays the foundation. Only then do the tools become effective.

1. Craft Your  Personal Philosophy 

Before seeking public validation, define your private standards. Ask yourself: > What are my top 20 personal values? (Yes, 20, not five—go deeper!)

> What truly matters to me in how I live, lead, and grow?

> What do I want to stand for, beyond success metrics?

Clarity here grounds you. When your internal compass is strong, external opinions carry less weight.

2. Curates Who Sets A Say 

Leadership coach Dr. Michael Gervais suggests imagining a table with only six seats. Who would you invite? Whose opinions actually matter?

Choose people with wisdom, emotional intelligence, and values that match your own list of 20. Let go of the noise from the sidelines.

3. Choose Significance Over Success 

Define “significance” on your terms, not the world’s. Do you want to be admired or remembered? To be successful or to create impact?

FOPO pulls you toward popularity. Significance calls you toward meaningful.

Don't Go It Alone 

Here’s the truth: FOPO isn’t a personal flaw. It’s a collective condition heightened by modern culture, and comparison traps. But it can be unlearned.

Whether you’re a founder struggling with visibility, a leader making unpopular changes, or a solopreneur battling imposter syndrome, know that you’re not alone. Working with a therapeutic coach can help uncover the roots of your FOPO, and build your emotional resilience to lead with authenticity.

FOPO will keep showing up at the edge of every bold idea, every rebrand, every risk. But the more anchored you are in your values, the less sway those opinions will have. So, the next time FOPO whispers, “What will they think?” answer back: “I know what I think. And that’s enough.”

About The Author

Anne Jackson is a therapeutic life and leadership coach, psychotherapist, and the founder of One Life Coaching Middle East. With over 15 years of experience helping entrepreneurs, executives, and changemakers navigate emotional resilience, personal clarity, and leadership growth, Anne bridges psychology with business strategy to empower individuals to lead authentically and sustainably. Based in Dubai, she works with clients across the GCC and internationally. At One Life Coaching, she and her team help entrepreneurs, leaders, and change-makers get clear on who they are, so that they can build businesses that reflect it, without apology, and without the weight of other people’s opinions.

This article first appeared in the August 2025 issue of Inc. Arabia magazine. To read the full issue online, click here.