The biggest issue I see within enterprises today is how smart executives can find common ground with their bosses to make great decisions.
I really enjoyed this simple, but magnificent advice from HBR’s Amy Gallo where she describes some simple steps on how best to achieve the right results at work without creating all sorts of bad energy:
There are some pearls of Gallo wisdom I took down:
Do a risk assessment – weigh the consequences of disagreeing
Chances are you won’t get fired or make an enemy for speaking your mind
What do you stand to lose… what could happen later if you don’t raise this issue now?
When and where you meet matters to have the conversation
Time can really help, perhaps you can find colleagues on the same page as you and their support and ideas may bolster your case
A private meeting may be a lot less threatening
Make it a chess game, not a boxing match
What to say and how to say it
Maintain a strategic focus… keep everyone’s integrity intact
Ask permission to disagree… allows your superior to opt in without feeling threatened
Explain, “I’d like to lay out my reasoning. Would that be OK?”
Connect your idea to a shared goal…. something you both care about such as company morale, quarterly earnings, etc
How to present your argument
Project confidence and neutrality…. anxious body language can harm your message
Breathe deeply
Stay humble and curious enough to hear critiques
Share only facts, not judgments
Always add, “I know you make the final call here”
The Bottom-line: Amy will be speaking at the HFS Summit next week!
And, of course, how could we resist not enticing Amy to come and keynote at the HFS summit next week with the topic… “Is it Me? Or Is it Them? How to Collaborate with Difficult People”. We’ll also be sharing a few copies of her book, “Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People)”.
Posted in : Employee Experience
