You may not feel comfortable disagreeing with your boss or colleagues, but there are some real benefits to doing so.
When you hold back from expressing your opinion, you can quickly become seen as someone who’s not invested in the company or its success. In contrast, when you disagree respectfully, you demonstrate that you care about the company’s future. Your team will also more likely come up with better ideas when there are different perspectives.
Whenever you feel like you should keep your mouth shut, think again. Disagreeing more can benefit your career.
Get ahead
To move up the ladder, you need to be vocal and express your ideas—even if they’re not similar to everyone else’s. That’s how you can prove you’re capable of thinking and making decisions of your own. Of course, there’s a right and wrong way to disagree.
You want to be polite, but you also need to make sure your point is heard. So be assertive, but not aggressive. And above all, stay calm. If you can master the art of disagreeing more, you will be well on your way to advancing your career.
You will learn more
You see, when you have a dialogue that includes disagreements, you’re forced to listen to what the other person is saying. You’re not just trying to formulate a response; you’re taking in their point of view and trying to understand it.
And that’s a good thing because when you comprehend where the other person is coming from, you can find common ground. And from there, you can work together to come up with a solution that’s better for everyone involved.
Disagreeing shows you’re engaged
The next time you feel like you want to disagree with someone at work, go ahead and do it. But be prepared for the consequences. It can be a scary thing to put yourself out there, but it shows that you’re active and interested in the back-and-forth.
Disagreeing also shows that you’re not afraid to stand up for your beliefs, and that can be a very powerful thing. It can also help you build relationships with your coworkers, as they will see that you’re willing to engage in healthy debates.
Disagreeing can make you look good
Have you heard of the saying, “there’s safety in numbers”? Well, that’s true when it comes to agreeing with everyone at work. But what if you disagree? What if you offer a dissimilar perspective because you’re different from the rest?
Well, it sets you apart from your other yes-man colleagues. You’re seen as someone willing to think for yourself, and that’s a valuable trait in the workplace. Plus, it shows that you’re not afraid to stand up for your convictions, even if they’re distinct from the norm.
So next time you feel like disagreeing with someone at work, go for it! You might be surprised at how well it can work in your favor. Just make sure that you disagree respectfully. No one likes a know-it-all, so be open to other people’s points of view, even if you don’t agree with them immediately.
When it comes to our careers, we’re often told that to get ahead, we need to be accommodating and agreeable. While this may be true to a certain extent, it’s also important to be able to disagree constructively and confidently. Disagreeing more can benefit your career. It can help you stand out from the competition and showcase your unique skills and abilities. Whenever you feel like you shouldn’t speak up or offer your opinion, remember that disagreeing can be a good thing when done wisely.