Career Advancement: Disagreeing with the Boss and Still Moving Up

Many people would assume that disagreeing with the boss is akin to career suicide. And in fact a lot of people take that belief to the extreme—making sure they totally agree with everything the boss says, no matter how bad the idea may be.

But in reality it is possible to disagree with the boss and not only keep your job, but continue to get ahead. For one thing, many smart leaders don’t like workers who just want to be “yes men.” These bosses value those workers who have the confidence (and guts) to express their opinions, even if it means they don’t agree with their supervisor. In some cases, bosses have been known to deliberately propose something that’s not really practical or wise, just as a test to see which workers will speak up.

The key is knowing how and when to voice a dissenting opinion. Obviously, you need to be diplomatic. This is not a time for brutal honesty, as it would not be smart to tell your boss that you think his idea is the most ridiculous thing you have ever heard. Instead, you want to present a logical, carefully worded argument.

Timing is also critical. You don’t want to embarrass your boss in front of a room full of people at a big meeting, so it is often best to have a private conversation with them.

This article shares more tips on disagreeing with the boss in a smart way.

Image courtesy of Thinkstock/DavidDeLossy