I talk about this question a lot when doing panels on social media. There are no good answers, but I think it's useful to tease apart a few different kinds of "sail trimming." /1
Some sail trimming is needed as either an ethical or good-partnership practice. For instance, when you work in a firm (esp. a big one), what you publish or say in your professional role is often constrained by who the firm represents, even if you don't know them. /2
I've had to spike or reel in views just because some other partner or partner's client justly would not want a fellow attorney from the firm that represents it saying X. You can quit, of course, but I'm talking about smaller issue commitments here. /3
Beyond that, I would say: Be deliberate. If you're going to take a risk or pick a side, do it because you mean to and because it's important to you. Twitter can be a good way to fire off thoughts, and I'm guilty of it as much as anyone. /4
But if you're going to take a chance, do it with eyes wide open. It is often worth it, but you don't want to be in a position of where you've hurt things for yourself accidentally. /Fin
