Monday, 11 October 2021

Disagreeing At Work

If you want to communicate better in a challenging situation this blog is for you.

I saw a client today who wanted to debate cleanly.

She said that whilst she remains calm while she tells a colleague what she thinks, they become angry and the relationship is suffering.

We initially had a conversation about what she could do differently and as she was struggling to find a strategy that she was happy with, I asked if she would like to practice a suggestion from me.

I suggested that the next time she wanted to have a conversation with her colleague about something she could begin with "what do you think about x? Listen hard and ask probing questions to understand their full thoughts. Then to ask clarification questions to check understanding before saying that she understood. 

We spoke about it being easy at this point if she agreed with her colleague. But what if she disagreed?

I suggested that she say "I understand and can see where you are coming from. I actually think y, because of a, b and c (rationale).

We explored understanding vs agreeing. We also explored how understanding another's perspective before sharing what you think allowed you to consider that first and perhaps even agree with aspects before being understood yourself, hopefully!

I will let you know how she got in a month's time when I am seeing her next.

For help, support and guidance with your personal and professional challenges please contact me via www.westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.

Big Love

Pam


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