Dare to say no... and be heard
27 August 2014
Read by 3827 persons
It is not always easy for an employee to stand up to management and dare to express disagreement. Lack of confidence, fear of reprisals, or respect for the hierarchy, some refrain from any challenge.
However, there is nothing wrong with disagreeing with management decisions. On the contrary, expressing disapproval is even vital for thriving in your work. So how do you contradict your manager without attracting the wrath of war, or upsetting them? Below are some tips...
Don't be afraid to criticize
Twenty years ago, it was inconceivable in a traditional company for any employee to criticize management and openly express their opinion. Fortunately, times have changed and even daring to say "I disagree" to your manager seems to have become a professional quality today.
It is feedback that allows teams to move forward and the manager to refocus things. So, don't keep your remarks to yourself. Whether they are heard or not, everyone will benefit!
Prepare your intervention well
By opposing your management, you take a more or less measured risk depending on whether they receive your initiative badly. It is therefore advisable to prepare your intervention well and to approach your manager with a clear objection and solid arguments.
This will prevent you from making decisions in the heat of anger and ensure that you are confident when engaging in the discussion. Thus, you will be all the more credible in front of your management and able to demand that they listen to you.
Propose alternative solutions
For your criticism to be acceptable, you must approach your boss with a ready-made counter-proposal. By expressing your opposition while providing an alternative and well-argued solution, perhaps even more effective, your manager will be more inclined to listen to you and reflect.
Moreover, this ability to provide solid suggestions and formulate improvement proposals is a sign of maturity and seriousness that can only be appreciated by your management. This way, you will stand out from the others...
Be measured in your criticisms
To dare to criticize your boss and express your disagreement, it is better to be well-regarded by him. To do this, build a relationship of trust with him and don't be systematically on the defensive.
Constantly opposing him may, on the contrary, cause you to lose your legitimacy, even if your criticism is justified. As you show him your disapproval, know how to also show him your agreement when necessary. He will take your criticisms more seriously. Without playing the yes-man, know how to be fair in your remarks.
Remain discreet
The mistake never to make is to question your manager's decisions in public. Even if you disagree with a decision made concerning your teams, avoid sharing it with your manager in front of them.
If these decisions are expressed during a meeting, hold your tongue and wait to be face-to-face with him to express your disagreement, especially if your remarks concern the skills of one or more people on your teams. As far as possible, prefer face-to-face discussions, which are simpler and often more frank.
Wait for the right moment
Don't talk about company strategy and your disagreements with upcoming projects if your boss is busy with something else that is even more important.
For your grievances to be received, wait until he is relaxed and available to listen. Choose lunchtime, a coffee break, or if you want to talk in an official setting, schedule an appointment where you will be face-to-face with him.
Express yourself in meetings
Project meetings are the time not to miss if you want to express your objections to the new strategy or vision of the company because once the decision is made, you will no longer be able to go back on it.
Even if you find yourself more exposed in front of your colleagues than in your manager's office, this configuration can also allow you to obtain the support of the team and thus give more weight to your comments.
Be legitimate
Don't question a decision if you are not fully competent on the subject. It can be dangerous to contradict your superior on a subject you don't master.
Depending on our skills, knowledge, and experience, the weight of the ideas we express and our remarks varies. If you disagree with your management on a subject you don't master very well, instead ask a colleague who is more legitimate on this subject to relay your points of view.
Accept the decision
Don't forget that it is your boss who has the final say. If he sticks to his positions, you must play the game and accept defeat. The risk in daring to show your disagreement is that he will listen but not change his mind, and you must expect and respect that.
This means that you will have to implement the decision that has been made without complaint. If you demand that your boss listen to you, you cannot impose your point of view on him.
Philippe Montant
General Manager of ReKrute
However, there is nothing wrong with disagreeing with management decisions. On the contrary, expressing disapproval is even vital for thriving in your work. So how do you contradict your manager without attracting the wrath of war, or upsetting them? Below are some tips...
Don't be afraid to criticize
Twenty years ago, it was inconceivable in a traditional company for any employee to criticize management and openly express their opinion. Fortunately, times have changed and even daring to say "I disagree" to your manager seems to have become a professional quality today.
It is feedback that allows teams to move forward and the manager to refocus things. So, don't keep your remarks to yourself. Whether they are heard or not, everyone will benefit!
Prepare your intervention well
By opposing your management, you take a more or less measured risk depending on whether they receive your initiative badly. It is therefore advisable to prepare your intervention well and to approach your manager with a clear objection and solid arguments.
This will prevent you from making decisions in the heat of anger and ensure that you are confident when engaging in the discussion. Thus, you will be all the more credible in front of your management and able to demand that they listen to you.
Propose alternative solutions
For your criticism to be acceptable, you must approach your boss with a ready-made counter-proposal. By expressing your opposition while providing an alternative and well-argued solution, perhaps even more effective, your manager will be more inclined to listen to you and reflect.
Moreover, this ability to provide solid suggestions and formulate improvement proposals is a sign of maturity and seriousness that can only be appreciated by your management. This way, you will stand out from the others...
Be measured in your criticisms
To dare to criticize your boss and express your disagreement, it is better to be well-regarded by him. To do this, build a relationship of trust with him and don't be systematically on the defensive.
Constantly opposing him may, on the contrary, cause you to lose your legitimacy, even if your criticism is justified. As you show him your disapproval, know how to also show him your agreement when necessary. He will take your criticisms more seriously. Without playing the yes-man, know how to be fair in your remarks.
Remain discreet
The mistake never to make is to question your manager's decisions in public. Even if you disagree with a decision made concerning your teams, avoid sharing it with your manager in front of them.
If these decisions are expressed during a meeting, hold your tongue and wait to be face-to-face with him to express your disagreement, especially if your remarks concern the skills of one or more people on your teams. As far as possible, prefer face-to-face discussions, which are simpler and often more frank.
Wait for the right moment
Don't talk about company strategy and your disagreements with upcoming projects if your boss is busy with something else that is even more important.
For your grievances to be received, wait until he is relaxed and available to listen. Choose lunchtime, a coffee break, or if you want to talk in an official setting, schedule an appointment where you will be face-to-face with him.
Express yourself in meetings
Project meetings are the time not to miss if you want to express your objections to the new strategy or vision of the company because once the decision is made, you will no longer be able to go back on it.
Even if you find yourself more exposed in front of your colleagues than in your manager's office, this configuration can also allow you to obtain the support of the team and thus give more weight to your comments.
Be legitimate
Don't question a decision if you are not fully competent on the subject. It can be dangerous to contradict your superior on a subject you don't master.
Depending on our skills, knowledge, and experience, the weight of the ideas we express and our remarks varies. If you disagree with your management on a subject you don't master very well, instead ask a colleague who is more legitimate on this subject to relay your points of view.
Accept the decision
Don't forget that it is your boss who has the final say. If he sticks to his positions, you must play the game and accept defeat. The risk in daring to show your disagreement is that he will listen but not change his mind, and you must expect and respect that.
This means that you will have to implement the decision that has been made without complaint. If you demand that your boss listen to you, you cannot impose your point of view on him.
Philippe Montant
General Manager of ReKrute
