Disagreeing with someone in the office is never easy. But, when you’re the newest employee? Well, it can be exceptionally awkward.
You don’t want to come off as an aggressive know-it-all. But, on the same token, you don’t want to turn into the office wallflower who never speaks up and shares his or her opinions. You want your co-workers to view you as someone with valuable insight and ideas—not the guy who just keeps his head down and his mouth shut in meetings.
It might seem like a fine line to walk, but the secret to success is all in your approach. With the right steps and strategies, you can constructively disagree with a fellow employee—without turning into the subject of that pesky office gossip. Here’s how.
1. Acknowledge the Fact That You’re the Newbie
Even if you feel very strongly about the argument you’re presenting, it’s important to accept the fact that you’re still relatively new at this gig. And, while you definitely don’t want to be that guy that’s still calling himself “the newbie” after a year and a half in the office, there’s nothing wrong with recognizing the fact that you’re still learning the ropes.
So, preface your disagreement by reminding everyone that you’re still working on getting the hang of things. Try saying something along the lines of, “I’m still pretty new at this, but I think structuring the reports this way could really streamline our process.”
Doing so softens the blow by reminding everyone that you’re still adjusting—making your argument seem more like an invitation for open discussion and input, rather than a firm demand.
2. Back Up Your Disagreement With Solid Reasoning
This is recommended whenever you’re disagreeing with someone—whether you’re the new guy in the office or not. But, it’s especially important when you’re trying to establish credibility with your new co-workers.
Nobody responds well to a suggestion or idea that comes completely out of left field. Instead, we all expect logic and reasoning to back that argument up. We want to know why you think your way is the best.
Continuing the report example from above, you could say something like, “I actually just tried this structure on one of our reports, and it took me about half the time to create. I’d be happy to show you all how I did it, to see if you guys think it would work for the whole team.”
Not only did you offer real, tangible results that prove why your idea works, but you also invited your co-workers to be a part of the process and decision.
3. Ask Questions
Questions are a magical thing, as they help to make your entire argument seem much less aggressive and accusatory. So, make sure to work them in when disagreeing with someone in the office.
How? Well, there are a few different options for utilizing questions. First, you can phrase your idea as a question by saying something along the lines of, “What do you guys think of trying to structure the reports this way instead?” It sounds way less harsh than flat out disagreeing with the way things are currently done, and it also encourages your co-workers to share their own opinions and ideas.
You can also conclude your argument by asking a question to demonstrate that you’re simply tossing out ideas—not instructions. If you wanted to employ this method, you would share something like, “I think structuring the reports this way instead could really streamline our process. Have you guys tried something like this before?”, inviting your team members to add their voice to the conversation.
4. Don’t Be Defensive
Even if you’re disagreeing with someone, it doesn’t mean you want to end up in an all out screaming match in the conference room. That just doesn’t end well for anyone.
So, when presenting an argument to someone in your office, resist the urge to become defensive. Maybe your co-worker will instantly shoot down your idea. Maybe he’ll tell you it’s the stupidest thing he’s ever heard. Maybe he’ll not-so-subtly mutter under his breath about how he can’t understand why you were hired.
Yes, that’s frustrating. But, getting angry and attempting to force your idea down everybody’s throat will only make things worse. So, take a deep breath and remove yourself from the situation for a while. If you still think your idea deserves some serious consideration, you can always present it to a superior in a separate meeting.
Disagreeing in the workplace will always be a little uncomfortable. But, disagreeing with someone when you’re the newest employee in the office? Well, it’s enough to have you chewing your nails and breathing into a paper bag.
It really doesn’t need to be that stressful! Put these steps into action, and you’ll present yourself as the respectable, competent, and qualified employee you already are.
