Seth Godin says, "Probably Not Stupid"

Godin writes that there is a big difference between being uninformed, and being stupid.
He writes:

"Every person makes decisions based on their worldview and the data at hand. If two people have the same worldview and the same data, they'll make the same decision, every time (unless they're stupid.) Changing worldviews is very difficult and requires quite a bit of will. Changing the data at hand is a lot easier, and that's where marketing can really help. If you, as a marketer, can package data in a way that people with a certain worldview can accept, you move the conversation forward far more quickly than if you merely dismiss the non-customers or the doubters as stupid."

Godin again:

"In my experience, a closed-minded worldview ("I can't read that book, I disagree with it") is the most difficult hurdle to overcome. But a closed-minded worldview doesn't mean you're stupid, it means that you are selling yourself and your colleagues and your community short. The easiest way to grow is to sell to people who share a worldview that endorses your position. The most effective way to grow bigger than that is to inform those that disagree with your position--more data in a palatable form. And, unfortunately, it turns out that the best way to change the world is to open the closed-minded."

Another argument for leading with empathy to encourage the Growth Mindset.