Mastering Disagreement with Power: A Guide by Harvard Business Review

Name: Mastering Disagreement with Power: A Guide by Harvard Business Review
Uploaded: 2023-06-24 13:27:40
Description: When disagreeing with someone more powerful, it is important to assess the risks, choose the right time and environment, and approach the conversation as a communication opportunity rather than a fight, while staying respectful and firm in expressing your opinion.

This article is a summary of a YouTube video "How to Disagree with Someone More Powerful: The Harvard Business Review Guide" by Harvard Business Review

TLDR When disagreeing with someone more powerful, it is important to assess the risks, choose the right time and environment, and approach the conversation as a communication opportunity rather than a fight, while staying respectful and firm in expressing your opinion.

Key insights

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Speaking up and sharing your opinion can be the right thing to do, even if there is a possibility of negative consequences.
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When disagreeing with someone more powerful, it is important to clearly restate the original idea or proposal to ensure the conversation focuses on your ideas rather than misunderstandings.
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Humility is key in expressing your opinion, acknowledging that it is just your perspective and being upfront about it.
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"Stay neutral, share only facts, not judgments" - Focus on presenting objective information rather than personal opinions when disagreeing with someone more powerful.
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When disagreeing with someone more powerful, it's important to be respectful and firm, acknowledging their authority while staying focused on the problem at hand.

Timestamped Summary

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00:00
Disagreeing with someone more powerful requires assessing the risks and not overplaying the fear of emotional rejection or professional failure.
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00:50
Don't be afraid to speak up and voice your disagreement, as the potential risks of not saying something may outweigh the risks of speaking up, but consider the context and potential consequences before deciding whether it's worth it.
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01:41
Waiting to share your disagreement can help you gather facts, find support, and choose the right environment, while approaching the conversation as a communication opportunity rather than a fight.
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02:28
Establish a process with the person ahead of time to discuss how to share differing opinions.
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02:54
When disagreeing with someone more powerful, restate the original idea, ask permission to disagree, and connect your idea to a shared goal.
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03:48
Focus on common goals and avoid personal disagreements, stay calm, project confidence, and acknowledge that your opinion is just an opinion.
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04:40
Stay neutral and share only facts when disagreeing with someone more powerful, avoiding loaded adjectives and instead presenting evidence to support your case.
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05:06
When disagreeing with someone more powerful, be respectful and firm, connect your disagreement to a shared goal, and confidently state your opinion while acknowledging their authority.