How to Disagree with Someone More Powerful: The Harvard Business Review Guide

Just agreeing with your boss (or your boss’s boss) feels easier, but it’s often better to voice your disagreement. HBR’s Amy Gallo shows how. 00:00 Let’s say you disagree with someone more powerful than you. Should you say so? 00:30 Before deciding, do a risk assessment 01:39 When and where to voice disagreement 02:20 What to say ... 04:00 … and how to say it 05:38 Ok, let’s recap! How exactly do you voice dissent with your superior? And is it always worth it to do so? First, weigh the risk of pushback or a negative reaction from a boss against the risk of not speaking up. If you do decide to voice your opinion, there are some best practices to keep in mind. State your opinions as facts, avoiding using judgment words. In addition, ask permission to dissent instead of offering an unsolicited opinion. Keep in mind that the final decision is still in the hands of your boss, but being honest and respectful will show them that they have more options. Reading list: How to Disagree with Someone More Powerful than You How to Disagree with Your Boss Say No Without Burning Bridges Produced by Amy Gallo, Scott LaPierre, and Jessica Gidal Video by Andy Robinson Edited by Jessica Gidal Design by Riko Cribbs and Karen Player Follow us: Sign up for Newsletters: #HarvardBusinessReview #HowTo #Disagree Copyright © 2021 Harvard Business School Publishing. All rights reserved.