HAVING DISAGREEMENTS with your boss is part and parcel of professional life. In an organisational culture which encourages differences rather than compliance, bosses welcome contrary views and are open to an alternative solution. But in organisations where you are confronting a not-so-openminded boss, you need be handle the situation with care to avoid an ugly outcome. Experts tell Sreeradha D Basu how to go about it.
1 Don’t Do It Publicly Never disagree with your boss in a meeting or in front of others. “Request a private meet to discuss such issues," advises Vinay Grover, CEO of executive search firm Symbiosis Management Consultants. “Also, it’s much better to put across your differing views face-to-face, rather than over e-mail or phone," he says.
2 Start on Positive Note Always start such a conversation with your boss on a positive tone. This helps reduce resistance, more so, if you are dealing with a boss with a delicate ego. "It’s much better to start out highlighting the positives or complimenting the boss on his/her analysis or opinion before politely trying to put your point across," says Grover.
3 Do Your Homework "Have your facts and figures in place and make sure you have all the necessary data to back up your argument. The more organised you are, the better," says Arvind N Agarwal, president, corporate development and HR, RPG Enterprises. Try to put across the point that you are being helpful, rather than critical.
4 Bide Your Time Sometimes, if you have that option, it is prudent to listen and then come back to the boss in a few days time instead of reacting right then. "Let that moment pass over. Come back in a few days saying ‘I have been thinking it over and there is another way you could look at’. That then, is your moment and there is a better chance of your boss listening to your views," says Agarwal.
5 Know When to Quit At the end of the day, your boss gets the final vote, so notwithstanding the most logical arguments, you may still be required to implement decisions with which you disagree. Needlessly going on and on under such circumstances can be counterproductive and may prove to be damaging. In such a situation, it’s best to stop pushing and just let it go.
(The Economic Times, Mumbai, 26-06-2012)
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