How to disagree with your boss

One of the frequent questions I am asked by the managers I coach is, "How do I effectively disagree with my boss?" Knowing how to disagree with your boss, and not commit career suicide, is an essential skill set and falls under the category of learning to "manage up." While most managers/leaders are able to manage down - at least a majority of the time - being able to effectively "manage up" is much more difficult for the obvious reason: the boss not only has significant control over the day-to-day operation and can make a subordinate's work life miserable but he also exercises considerable influence over a subordinate's future with the company. Therefore, making the boss an enemy is never a good career move.

However, with that said, it is a manager's obligation, to both their boss and the organisation, to have a well thought out opinion about situations/issues/problems, supported by facts and gut instinct, and then to timely and effectively express that opinion to the boss - even if it is not the opinion held by the boss. Failing to do this is a disservice to the bosses - their opinion might be changed if they heard a well thought out and appropriately expressed different point of view. So, my counsel is: once your opinion has been formulated you should not change that opinion or be reluctant to express it just because the boss disagrees or may not like it.

However, how you deliver your opinion is paramount. Consider these rules for disagreeing with the boss and surviving the experience:

* Never disrespect your boss: Regardless of how vehemently you disagree with your boss, always treat him with the respect as the person is holding the position of authority and responsibility. Conversely, you are entitled to that same degree of respect from your boss.

* Never disagree with your boss in public: Unless you want to get fired. Or your judgement is so impaired you should get fired.

* Express your disagreement directly to your boss: When you disagree with the boss, immediately take that disagreement directly to the boss. Don't express your disagreement to your team or co-workers.

* Choose the right time to disagree: We all react with varying degrees of defensiveness when facing disagreement. And the higher the stress level at the time of the disagreement, the less likely the reasons for the disagreement will be properly heard. Disagreeing with your boss in the middle of a presentation or client meeting serves no purpose since he will seldom react in a positive manner.

The author is Paul Glover, executive and business performance improvement coach. Re-printed with permission.
Link: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20141012174620-22475569-when-how-to-disagree-with-the-boss?trk=prof-post